Abstract/Contents: | 1984 update of four longitudinal studies to evaluate new varieties of Festuca arundinacea under Kentucky climate conditions. Test 1 evaluates 10 cultivars with 3 replications and a 2" cutting height, and a table provides annual and 8 year average visual quality rating results (1977-1984). Among the 10 cultivars, Rebel, G1-301, and Galway rates highest. Test 2 evaluates 19 cultivars (part of the Southern Regional Tall Fescue Test) with three replications and a 2" cutting height, and a table provides annual and 6 year average visual quality rating results (1979-1984). Among the 19 cultivars, Rebel, Falcon, and PHB-1-5 rated highest. In tests 1 and 2 plots are not irrigated to maximize stress, and 3 lbs of nitrogen/1000 ft2 has been applied in fall and early winter. Test 3 evaluates 46 names and experimental varieties, with 3 replications at a 1.5" cutting height and 3 replications at a 3" height, and tables provide annual and 2 year average visual quality rating results (1983-1984) as well as botanical counts of tall fescue tiller/inch2. Among the 46 varieties at the 1.5" cutting height, Olympic, Jaguar, and Marathon received the highest visual ratings, while PX82F and 56-35 had the most tillers/inch2; at the 3" height, 5 M4-82, Jaguar, and 52W received highest visual ratings, while 52W and Marathon had the most tillers/inch2. Test 4 evaluates 54 cultivars, with 3 replications seeded at the rate of 4.65 lb/1000 ft2, with a 1.5" cutting height, and without regular irrigation. A table provides monthly and 7 month average visual quality rating results (March-October, 1984) as well as botanical counts of tall fescue tillers/inch2. Among the 54 cultivars, an unknown variety, 108-46, Mustang, and 105-38 received the best quality ratings; Apache and SynGA-1 had the most tillers/inch2. (Test 4 is included in the National Tall Fescue test-1983). In all tests, 3 lbs of nitrogen had been applied in the fall and early winter. |