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| Web URL(s): | https://web.archive.org/web/20110223010813/http://agcsa.com.au/files/TU05001%20Final%20Report.pdf
Last checked: 10/24/2016
Requires: PDF Reader |
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| Material Type: | Book |
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| Monographic Author(s): | Roche, Matt |
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| Author Affiliation: | Senior Turf Scientist, Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Redlands Research Station, Cleveland, Queensland, Australia |
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| Monograph Title: | Management Guidelines for New Warm-Season Grasses in Australia: Final Report, 2010. |
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| Publishing Information: | [Cleveland, Queensland]: Agri-Science Queensland |
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| # of Pages: | 167 |
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| Collation: | 167 pp. |
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| Series: | Horticulture Australia Limited Final Report TU05001 |
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| Abstract/Contents: | "After more than 30 years in which 'Tifgreen' and 'Tifdwarf' were the only greens-quality varieties available, the choice for golf courses and bowls clubs in northern Australia has been expanded to include six new Cynodon hybrids [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers x Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt-Davy]. Five of these - 'Champion Dwarf' (Texas), 'MS-Supreme' (Mississippi), FloraDwarfTM (Florida), 'TifEagle' (Georgia), MiniVerdeTM (Arizona) - are from US breeding programs, while the sixth, 'TL2' (marketed as NovotekTM) was selected in north Queensland. The finer, denser and lower growing habit of the "ultradwarf" cultivars allows very low mowing heights (e.g. 2.5 mm) to be imposed, resulting in denser and smoother putting and bowls surfaces. In addition to the Cynodon hybrids, four new greens quality seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum O. Swartz) cultivars including 'Sea Isle 2000', Sea Isle SupremeTM, VelveteneTM and Sea DwarfTM (where tolerance of salty water is required) expands the range of choices for greens in difficult environments. The project was developed to determine (a) the appropriate choice of cultivar for different environments and budgets, and (b) best management practices for the new cultivars which differ from the Cynodon hybrid industry standards 'Tifgreen' and 'Tifdwarf'. Management practices, particularly fertilising, mowing heights and frequency, and thatch control were investigated to determine optimum management inputs and provide high quality playing surfaces with the new grasses. To enable effective trialling of these new and old cultivars it was essential to have a number of regional sites participating in the study. Drought and financial hardship of many clubs presented an initial setback with numerous clubs wanting to be involved in the study but were unable to commit due to their financial position at the time. The study was fortunate to have seven regional sites from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia volunteer to be involved in the study which would add to the results being collected at the centralised test facility being constructed at DEEDI's Redlands Research Station. The major research findings acquired from the eight trial sites included: [1] All of the new second generation "ultradwarf" couchgrasses tend to produce a large amount of thatch with MiniVerdeTM being the greatest thatch producer, particularly compared to 'Tifdwarf' and 'Tifgreen'. The maintenance of the new Cynodon hybrids will require a program of regular dethatching/grooming as well as regular light dustings of sand. Thatch prevention should begin 3 to 4 weeks after planting a new "ultradwarf" couchgrass green, with an emphasis on prevention rather than control. [2] The "ultradwarfs" produced faster green speeds than the current industry standards 'Tifgreen' and 'Tifdwarf'. However, all Cynodon hybrids were considerably faster than the seashore paspalums (e.g. comparable to the speed diference[difference] of Bentgrass and couchgrass) under trial conditions. Green speed was fastest being cut at 3.5 mm and rolled (compared to 3.5 mm cut, no roll and 2.7 mm cut, no roll). [3] All trial sites reported the occurrence of disease in the Cynodon hybrids with the main incidence of disease occurring during the dormancy period (autumn and winter). The main disease issue reported was "patch diseases" which includes both Gaumannomyces and Rhizoctonia species. There was differences in the severity of the disease between cultivars, however, the severity of the disease was not consistent between cultivars and is largely attributed to an environment (location) effect. In terms of managing the occurrence of disease, the incidence of disease is less severe where there is a higher fertility rate (about 3 kgN/100m2/year) or a preventitatve fungicide program is adopted. [4] Cynodon hybrid and seashore paspalum cultivars maintained an acceptable to ideal surface being cut between 2.7 mm and 5.0 mm. "Ultradwarf" cultivars can tolerate mowing heights as low as 2.5 mm for short periods but places the plant under high levels of stress. Greens being maintained at a continually lower cutting height (e.g. 2.7 mm) of both species is achievable, but would need to be cut daily for best results. Seashore paspalums performed best when cut at a height of between 2.7 mm and 3.0 mm. If a lower cutting height is adopted, regular and repeated mowings are required to reduce scalping and produce a smooth surface. [5] At this point in time the optimum rate of nitrogen (N) for the Cynodon hybrids is 3 kg/100m2/year and while the seashore paspalums is 2 to 3 kg/100m2/year. [6] Dormancy occurred for all Cynodon and seashore paspalum cultivars from north in Brisbane (QLD) to south in Mornington Peninsula (VIC) and west to Novar Gardens (SA). Cynodon and Paspalum growth in both Victoria and South Australia was less favourable as a result of the cooler climates. [7] After combining the data collected from all eight sites, the results indicated that there can be variation (e.g. turfgrass quality, colour, disease resistance, performace) depending on the site and climatic conditions. Such evidence highlights the need to undertake genotype by environment (G x E) studies on new and old cultivars prior to conversion or establishment. [8] For a club looking to select either a Cynodon hybrid or seashore paspalum cultivar for use at their club they need to: (i) Review the research data. (ii) Look at trial plots. (iii) Inspect greens in play that have the new grasses. (iv) Select 2 to 3 cultivars that are considered to be the better types. (v) Establish them in large (large enough to putt on) plots/nursery/practice putter. Ideally the area should be subjected to wear. (vi) Maintain them exactly as they would be on the golf course/lawn bowls green. This is a critical aspect. Regular mowing, fertilising etc. is essential. (vii) Assess them over at least 2 to 3 years. (viii) Make a selection and establish it in a playing green so that it is subjected to typical wear." Includes: Introduction (Project Background; Project Aims; and Implications for Industry and Potential Impact); Turfgrass Cultivars Evaluated (Introduction; Cultivars Tested at Trial Sites; Distribution of Greens Quality Grasses in Australia; History Behind the Cultivars Trialled; and Turfgrass Morphology and Development); Climatic Conditions Experienced at Trial Sites (Introduction; Methodology; and Results and Discussion); QPIF Redlands Centralised Test Facility (Introduction; and Materials and Methods - Trial Design (Subjective Colour Assessments; Subjective Quality Assessments; Thatch Assessments (Subjective Thatch; Quantitative Thatch; and Subjective vs. Quantitative Thatch); Rooting Depths; Ball Roll Testing; Turfgrass Management; Observations and Discussions; and Pests and Disease)); Regional Trial Sites (Introduction; Materials and Methods; Results (Cynodon Hybrids (Establishment; Sward Characteristics; Disease; Thatch Development and Thatch Control; Mowing Height; Recovery from Damage; Dormancy; Nutritional Requirements; Pesticide Tolerance; and Site Specific Characteristics and Suitability); and Seashore Paspalum (Establishment; Sward Characteristics; Disease; Thatch Development and Thatch Control; Mowing Height; Recovery from Damage; Drought Stress; Pesticide Tolerance; Dormancy; Nutritional Requirements; and Site Specific Characteristics and Suitability)); and Conclusion); Technology Transfer (Seminars and Industry Presentations; Publications; Media; and Case Studies (NovotekTM Finds Favour on Bundaberg Greens; VelveteneTM Being Used from Tees to Greens at Ipswich Golf Club; and MiniVerdeTM in Use at Queensland Bowls Centre of Excellence)); and General Project Conclusion and Recommendations. |
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| Language: | English |
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| References: | 170 |
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| See Also: | See also related article "Management guidelines for new warm-season grasses" Australian Turfgrass Management Journal, 12(3) May/June 2010, p. 62-64, R=163846 R=163846 |
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| Note: | Pictures, color
Figures
Tables
Graphs
Maps
Includes appendix: "Redlands greens test facility- establishment and maintenance plan"; pp. 158-160
Includes appendix: "Evaluation results - greens trial workshop 12 May 2009"; pp. 161-164
Includes appendix: "Media samples"; pp. 165-167
"28 February 2010" |
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| ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Roche, Matt. 2010. Management Guidelines for New Warm-Season Grasses in Australia: Final Report. 167 pp. [Cleveland, Queensland]: Agri-Science Queensland. |
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Last checked: 10/24/2016
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