Life Sciences Commons^™

Herbicide And Application Timing Effects On Windmillgrass (Chloris Verticillata) Control, Nicholas Mitchell, Jared Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Windmillgrass (Chloris verticillata Nutt.) populations commonly infest turfgrass systems in the midwest, which result in aesthetically unacceptable turfgrass stands. Research trials were initiated in 2017 and 2018, in Onaga and Junction City, KS, to determine windmillgrass control with various single herbicide applications at dif­ferent application timings. Pylex (topramezone) resulted in more than 80% wind­millgrass control 8 weeks after spring and summer application.

Winter Survival Of Experimental Bermudagrasses In The Upper Transition Zone, Mingying Xiang, Jack Fry, Yanqi Wu

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A winter with very cold temperatures in 2017–2018 allowed for good separation of standard and experimental bermudagrasses for freezing tolerance. When evaluated in May 2018, survival of commonly used cultivars was: Tifway, 0%; Latitude 36, 20%; Northbridge, 25%. Some experimental progeny had up to 98% winter survival on the same rating date.

2017 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Perennial Ryegrass Test: 2018 Data, Mingying Xiang, Jack Fry

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

More than 100 entries of perennial ryegrass were evaluated in the perennial ryegrass National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) study in Manhattan, KS, in 2018. A broad variation occurred among entries. Several entries consistently ranked in the top 10 in quality from month to month.

Minimal Water Requirements Of Cool-Season Turfgrasses For Survival And Recovery After Prolonged Drought, Mu Hong, Dale Bremer, Steve Keeley

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sodded tall fescue (TF) and Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) turfgrasses were exposed to prolonged drought at several levels of deficit irrigation from 0% to 50% of reference evapotranspiration (ET) within the first year of establishment. Tall fescue watered at 40% and 50% ET maintained minimally acceptable performance longer during the dry-down phases and recovered faster after rewatering than lower ET treatments. Tall fescue with no water input (0% ET) maintained minimally acceptable performance for about 5 weeks, which was longer than KBG watered at 50% ET, which remained acceptable for less than 3 weeks during the dry down. Although KBG watered …

Evaluating Large Patch-Tolerant And Cold Hardy Zoysiagrass Germplasm In The Transition Zone, Mingying Xiang, Jack Fry, Megan Kennelly

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

More than 2,800 zoysiagrass progeny, all having a single parent in common that exhibited tolerance to large patch, were evaluated in several transition zone states for quality characteristics and large patch tolerance. From these evaluations conducted over several years, 10 progeny have been identified for further evaluation that have good quality and large patch tolerance that is superior to Meyer zoysiagrass.

Influence Of Herbicide Combinations And Sequential Applications On Windmillgrass (Chloris Verticillata) Control, Nicholas Mitchell, Jared Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Windmillgrass (Chloris verticillata Nutt.) populations commonly infest turfgrass systems in the midwest, which result in aesthetically unacceptable turfgrass stands. Pylex (topramezone) and Acclaim Extra (fenoxaprop) have resulted in fair control of windmillgrass with single applications. For adequate control of windmillgrass, a sequential application of Tenacity (mesotrione), three weeks after the initial application, is recommended. Additionally, studies have shown the addition of triclopyr to HPPD inhibitor herbicides increases windmillgrass control in a controlled environ­ment. Field experiments were initiated in 2018, at the Kansas State University Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center in Manhattan, KS, to determine the influence of herbicide combinations …

Thermal Imaging Detects Early Drought Stress In Turfgrass Utilizing Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Mu Hong, Dale J. Bremer, Deon Van Der Merwe

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Plots of fairway-height creeping bentgrass were watered differently to create a gradient of drought stress from severe deficit irrigation to well-watered, under an automatic rainout shelter in Manhattan, KS. Canopy temperature (Tc) measured by a small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) predicted drought stress approximately 5 days or more before drought symptoms were evident in either turfgrass visual quality (VQ) or percentage green cover (PGC). The ability of Tc to predict drought stress was comparable to the best spectral parameters acquired by sUAS on companion flights [i.e., near infrared (NIR) and GreenBlue VI], and slightly better than with spectral data obtained …

High And Low Management Input Regimes Result In Similar Net Carbon Sequestration Rates In Zoysiagrass Golf Course Fairway Turf, Ross C. Braun, Dale J. Bremer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study was conducted from 2013–2016 to determine how irrigation and N fertilization may be managed to enhance carbon (C) sequestration in turf. In this study, the annual rate of change in soil organic carbon (ΔSOC) was measured under two management regimes, a high management input regime (HMI) and low man­agement input regime (LMI), in a ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) golf course fairway.

Both management regimes maintained acceptable turf quality and at least 75% green cover during both summers. In both management regimes, soil organic carbon (SOC) increased after the 3.16-yr (1154-d) period indicating that C was sequestered …

Extent Of Larval Populations Of Turfgrass Insect Pests At Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center At Manhattan, Ks, Raymond A. Cloyd

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Many insect pests have a larval or grub stage that resides belowground and feeds on turfgrass roots (Potter, 1998; Vittum et al., 1999; Held and Potter, 2012). The major belowground insect pests (white grubs) associated with turfgrass throughout Midwestern states that are present in Kansas include: May/June beetles (Phyllophaga spp), masked chafers (Cyclocephala spp), and bluegrass billbug (Sphenophorus parvulus) (Miller et al., 2013). However, there is limited information on the annual occurrence of these insect pests affiliated with the common turfgrass species planted in Kansas, including zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa …

Herbicide And Application Timing Effects On Windmillgrass Control, Nicholas Mitchell, Jared Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Windmillgrass (Chloris verticillata Nutt.) populations commonly infest turfgrass systems in the midwest, which result in aesthetically unacceptable turfgrass stands. Research trials were initiated in 2017 in Onaga and Junction City, KS, to determine windmillgrass control with various single herbicide applications at multiple application timings (spring, summer, and fall). Data collection for research trials consisted of visual percent windmillgrass cover (0–100%), line intersect analysis on four-inch spacing, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) (0 to 1 scale), and windmillgrass seedhead counts. Initial observations resulted in greater windmillgrass control with summer applications compared to fall applications. Pylex (topramezome) resulted in 80% windmillgrass …

Evaluating Small Unmanned Aerial Systems For Detecting Drought Stress On Turfgrass, Mu Hong, Dale Bremer, Deon Van Der Merwe

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study was conducted to evaluate early detection ability of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) technology for drought stress on turfgrass. Certain reflectances collected by sUAS and a handheld device declined more in less irrigated treatments before drought stress was evident in visual quality rating (VQ) and percentage green cover (PGC). The near infrared (NIR) band and GreenBlue vegetation index performed the best consistently for drought stress prediction among the other vegetation indices (VI) or bands from sUAS. Results indicate using ultra-high resolution remote sensing with sUAS can detect drought stress as well as, if not better than, a handheld …

Urban Lawn Microclimates Affect Reference Evapotranspiration, Kenton W. Peterson, Dale J. Bremer, Jack D. Fry

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Grass reference evapotranspiration (ET_o) obtained from weather stations in open locations is often used to estimate irrigation requirements of turfgrass in local or regional urban lawns. However, the environments of urban lawns are often altered by surrounding buildings, trees, etc., to form various microclimates that may alter evapotranspiration (ET). Our research, which placed weather stations in urban lawns and nearby open swards of turfgrass, revealed ET_o was 41% lower in residential lawn microclimates than in nearby open turfgrass swards. Less ET within urban lawns than in nearby open swards suggests using standard historical weather data to estimate …

Brown Patch Occurrence In A Zoysiagrass-Tall Fescue Polystand Compared To A Tall Fescue Monostand, Mingying Xiang, Jack D. Fry, Megan M. Kennelly

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Research has demonstrated that polystands of zoysiagrass and tall fescue can be established successfully, with the potential to provide a high quality turfgrass stand with reduced inputs. Our objective was to determine whether mixing zoysiagrass with tall fescue will reduce brown patch severity while maintaining overall accept­able quality. Studies were established at the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center in Manhattan, KS. In the split-plot design, natural infection by Rhizoctonia solani or a fungicide-treated control was the whole plot treatment factor and species (tall fescue monostand and the zoysiagrass/tall fescue mixture) were subplots. During July and August 2016 and 2017, when …

Evaluating Large Patch-Tolerant And Cold Hardy Zoysiagrass Germplasm In The Transition Zone, Mingying Xiang, Jack D. Fry, Megan M. Kennelly

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A Zoysia japonica genotype, TAES 5645, that exhibited partial resistance to large patch in preliminary studies conducted by our collaborators at Texas A&M University, was used as a breeding parent at Texas A&M and crossed with 22 cold hardy zoysiagrasses, resulting in 2,858 progeny. These progeny were evaluated for cold hardiness and agronomic traits (establishment rate, overall quality, spring green up, leaf texture, and genetic color) in Manhattan, KS; West Lafayette, IN; and Dallas, TX; from 2012 to 2014. This report focuses on the Manhattan, KS, results. From this work, 60 progeny were identified for further evaluation in larger plots. …

2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Tall Fescue Test: 2017 Data, Linda R. Parsons, Michael J. Shelton, Megan M. Kennelly, Jason J. Griffin, Jared A. Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Research efforts to improve cultivar quality include selecting for disease resistance and stress tolerance as well as finer leaf texture, a rich green color, and better sward density. Several cultivars included in the 2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Tall Fescue Test performed well and showed good brown patch resistance in south central Kansas during the 2017 growing season.

2013 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Bermudagrass Test: 2013–2017 Summary Report, Linda R. Parsons, Michael J. Shelton, Jason J. Griffin, Jared A. Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Kansas represents the northernmost region in the central United States where bermudagrass can be successfully grown as a perennial turfgrass. Historically, few cultivars that have both acceptable quality and adequate cold tolerance have been available to local growers. Because new introductions are continually being selected for improved hardiness and quality, both seeded and vegetative types need regular evaluation to determine their long-range suitability for use in Kansas.

2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Tall Fescue Test: 2012–2017 Summary Report, Linda R. Parsons, Michael J. Shelton, Megan M. Kennelly, Jason J. Griffin, Jared A. Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Research efforts to improve cultivar quality include selecting for disease resistance and stress tolerance as well as finer leaf texture, a rich green color, and better sward density. Several cultivars included in the 2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Tall Fescue Test performed well and showed good brown patch resistance in south central Kansas throughout the course of the study.

2013 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Bermudagrass Test: 2017 Data, Linda R. Parsons, Michael J. Shelton, Jason J. Griffin, Jared A. Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Kansas represents the northernmost region in the central United States where bermudagrass can be successfully grown as a perennial turfgrass. Historically, few cultivars that have both acceptable quality and adequate cold tolerance have been available to local growers. Because new introductions are continually being selected for improved hardiness and quality, both seeded and vegetative types need regular evaluation to determine their long-range suitability for use in Kansas.

Evaluating Zoysiagrass-Tall Fescue Mixtures In Kansas, Mingying Xiang, Jack D. Fry, Megan M. Kennelly

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Water conservation is increasingly important when selecting turfgrasses. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica), a C4 grass, is more drought resistant than C3 grasses. However, there is some resistance to the use of zoysiagrass in lawns and golf courses due to its extended dormant period when turf is brown. The objective of this study was to evaluate mowing height, and tall fescue seeding rate and time for establishment of a mixed stand with seeded zoysiagrass. Seeding zoysiagrass and tall fescue together in June generally resulted in a less uniform mixture than seeding zoysiagrass in June and then seeding tall fescue in …

Effect Of Dormant ‘Midiron’ Bermudagrass Colorant Applications On Clothing Blemishing, J. Hoyle, Daniele L. Mcfadden

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Minimal research exists on potential clothing blemishing when athletes contact turfgrass applied with colorants. Field trials were initiated February 16, 2017, and conducted to test the effect of turfgrass colorant applications on clothing blemishing if an athlete is to come in contact with the playing surface. Turfgrass colorants will adhere to turfgrass leaf blades and do not blemish clothing. However, tested turfgrass pigments did result in significant blemishing of clothing.

Native Turfgrass Tolerance To Indaziflam Applications, J. Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Multiple research trials were conducted from 2014 to 2016 in the Manhattan, KS, area to determine the use of indaziflam in native turfgrass systems. Results indicated that evaluated species are tolerant to indaziflam applications throughout the year.

Estimating Transpiration From Turfgrass Using Stomatal Conductance Values Derived From Infrared Thermometry, Kenton W. Peterson, D. Bremer, J. M. Blonquist Jr.

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Infrared thermometry provides accurate measurements of plant canopy temperature, which, along with basic weather variables, allows estimation of canopy stomatal conductance to water vapor flux (g_c) and transpiration. Using this method we compared modeled estimates of transpiration (COND_T) with evapotranspiration (ET) measurements from nearby microlysimeters (LYS_ET) in tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus Schreb.) turfgrass. Results indicated transpiration may be reliably estimated via calculation of g_c in turfgrass.

Measurement Of Evapotranspiration In Turfgrass: Recommended Techniques And Adjustment Coefficients, Kenton W. Peterson, D. Bremer, Kira B. Shonkwiler, J. M. Ham

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Evapotranspiration (ET) from turfgrass can be measured directly using lysimeters (LYS), estimated from weather data using models, or approximated using atmometers. Evapotranspiration measurements from LYS were compared with ET estimates from four variations of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) standardized ET equation including the use of: 1) hourly steps of measured net radiation (R_n) (ASCE_HM); 2) hourly steps of R_n calculated from global irradiance (ASCE_HC); 3) daily steps of measured R_n (ASCE_DM); and 4) daily steps of R_n calculated from global irradiance (ASCE_DC); ET from …

Development Of Cold Hardy, Large Patch Resistant Zoysiagrass Cultivars For The Transition Zone, Mingying Xiang, J. Fry, M. Kennelly

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A Z. japonica genotype TAES 5645 which exhibited resistance to large patch in preliminary studies conducted by our collaborators at Texas A&M University was used as a breeding parent there and crossed with 22 cold hardy zoysiagrasses, resulting in 985 progeny. These progeny were evaluated for cold hardiness and agronomic traits (establishment rate, overall quality, spring greenup, leaf texture, and genetic color) in Manhattan, KS; West Lafayette, IN; and Dallas, TX; from 2012 to 2014. This report focuses on the Manhattan, KS, results. From this work, 60 progeny were identified for further evaluation in larger plots. In fall 2016, ‘Meyer’ …

Nitrous Oxide Emissions And Carbon Sequestration In Turfgrass: Effects Of Irrigation And Nitrogen Fertilization (Year 2), R. Braun, D. Bremer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study was conducted from 2013–2016 to determine how irrigation and N fertilization may be managed to reduce N₂O emissions and enhance carbon sequestration. In this study, annual nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions were greatest in urea and the least in unfertilized (no N) among treatments. During summer, the lower irrigation treatment resulted in less N₂O emitted. All fertilizer and irrigation treatments maintained acceptable quality and high levels of percent green cover; however, the controlled-release fertilizer resulted in more consistent turf quality and green cover compared to urea and unfertilized. Urea fertilizer had higher peak …

Evaluating Zoysiagrass-Tall Fescue Mixtures In Kansas, Mingying Xiang, J. Fry, M. Kennelly

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Water conservation is increasingly important when selecting turfgrasses. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica), a C4 grass, is more drought resistant than C3 grasses. However, there is some resistance to the use of zoysiagrass in lawns and golf courses due to its extended dormant period when turf is brown. The objective of this study was to evaluate mowing height, tall fescue seeding rate and time for establishment of a mixed stand with seeded zoysiagrass. Seeding zoysiagrass and tall fescue together in June generally resulted in a less uniform mixture than seeding zoysiagrass in June and then seeding tall fescue in September. …

Use Of Pyrimisulfan And Penoxsulam In Turfgrass Systems, J. Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Pyrimisulfan + penoxsulam applications in ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass and buffalograss resulted in excellent large crabgrass control and no turfgrass injury. Applications also do not have any negative influence on tested ornamental species.

Impact Of Zoysiagrass And Tall Fescue Seed Mixtures On Brown Patch Severity, Mingying Xiang, J. Fry, M. Kennelly

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Earlier research has demonstrated that polystands of zoysiagrass and tall fescue can be established successfully, with the potential to provide a high-quality turfgrass stand with reduced inputs. Our objective was to determine whether mixing zoysiagrass with tall fescue will reduce brown patch severity while maintaining overall acceptable quality. Studies were established at the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center in Manhattan, KS. In the split-plot design, natural infection by Rhizoctonia solani or a fungicide-treated control was the whole-plot treatment factor and species (tall fescue monostand and the zoysiagrass/tall fescue mixture) were subplots. During July and August 2016, when hot, humid weather …

Influence Of Tall Fescue Baseball Infield Mowing Height On Ground Ball Speed, J. Hoyle, Gage M. Knudson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Athletic field conditions have been shown to influence playability. Results of ball-roll speed studies can be used to predict success of infield hits. Field trials were conducted at Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center, Manhattan, KS, to determine the influence of tall fescue baseball infield mowing height on ground ball speed and batter on-base success. Mowing heights of 1, 2, and 3 inches resulted in 1.77, 2.08, and 1.88 s ground ball times, respectively.

The Effect Of Human Insect Repellents On Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne) Growth And Recovery, J. Hoyle, Peyton E. South

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Turfgrass damage has been observed from misapplications of human insect repellents. Minimal research has been conducted to determine the cause of the damage. Greenhouse research trials were initiated in November 2016 to survey various human insect repellents on turfgrass growth and recovery. Insect repellents resulted in a wide range of damage. No common trend was observed, although the research trial shows possible repellents to be used around turfgrass that will minimize turfgrass injury.