Life Sciences Commons^™

Tall Fescue Performance Under Low Maintenance Conditions In The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Test, Jack D. Fry

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) Tall Fescue Test was planted in 2018 at the Kansas State University Olathe Horticulture Center, Olathe, KS. Differences have been observed among entries maintained under low maintenance conditions.

2022 Kansas Fertilizer Research Report

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A summary of research conducted in 2018-2021 on fertilizer use and management practices for crops in Kansas. Published in 2022 from the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
https://www.ag.k-state.edu/.

Influence Of Herbicides And Irrigation On Tall Fescue Shoot And Root Growth, Dani Mcfadden, Jack Fry, Steve Keeley, Jared Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

When turfgrass stands are under renovation, a common problem is removing weeds prior to seeding because seedling turf does not emerge and compete well with weeds that are present. However, most herbicide labels recommend waiting for a defined period of time prior to seeding. If seeding is done prior to the date prescribed on the herbicide label, seed germination and seedling growth may be inhibited. A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effects of irrigation prior to seeding on seedling growth after herbicide application. Overall, irrigation had no influence on the impact of herbicides on shoot or root growth …

Nitrogen Fertilizer Timing And Phosphorus And Potassium Fertilization Rates For Established Endophyte-Free Tall Fescue: Year 3, D. W. Sweeney, J. K. Farney, J. L. Moyer, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Tall fescue production was measured during the third production year of a study with locations started in fall of 2016 and fall of 2017. Phosphorus (P) fertilization rate af­fected spring harvest yield at Site 1, but not at Site 2. Applying nitrogen (N) in late fall or late winter resulted in greater spring yields than applying N in spring or not applying N. However, fall harvest yields at Site 1 were greater with spring N application, but not at Site 2. The third-year tall fescue total yield rank as affected by N fertilizer timing was late winter>late fall=spring>no …

Emergence And Growth Of Tall Fescue Seedlings After Postemergence Broadleaf Herbicide Application, Dani Mcfadden, Jack Fry, Steve Keeley

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Effective weed control prior to seeding is essential for proper turfgrass establishment since competition from weeds can cause sward establishment to fail. Herbicides with multiple active ingredients from different chemical families could increase weed control efficacy, but hinder the establishment of newly seeded turf. Research trials were initiated in the fall of 2020 in Olathe and Manhattan, KS, to determine if tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) could be seeded earlier after application than stated on the herbicide labels. Overall, this study demonstrated that seeding between 0 to 14 days after an application of carfentrazone-ethyl + MCPP + 2,4-D + …

Testing Label Restrictions On Seeding Timings Of Tall Fescue And Kentucky Bluegrass After Herbicide Application, Dani Mcfadden, Jared Hoyle, Steve Keeley, Zane Raudenbush

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

During a lawn renovation, weeds are often a major problem because they grow more aggressively than seedling turf. Turfgrass seedlings need starter fertilizer and plenty of water for proper establishment, which makes an ideal environment for weeds to thrive as well. With current herbicide label restrictions, there are limited weed control strategies during the critical establishment period. Research trials were initiated in the fall of 2019 in Manhattan, KS, to determine if tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) could be seeded into a stand at different intervals after herbicide application before restrictions on …

Effects Of Various Grazing Systems On Grazing And Subsequent Finishing Performance, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 400 mixed black yearling steers were used to compare grazing and subsequent finishing performance from pastures with ‘MaxQ’ tall fescue, a wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system, or a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Daily gains of steers that grazed MaxQ fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, or wheat-crabgrass were similar (P>0.05) in 2010, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Daily gains of steers that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass were greater (P>0.05) than those that grazed MaxQ fescue in 2011, 2012, and 2019. Daily gains of steers that grazed wheat-crabgrass were greater …

Nitrogen Fertilizer Timing And Phosphorus And Potassium Fertilization Rates For Established Endophyte-Free Tall Fescue, D. W. Sweeney, J. K. Farney, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Tall fescue production was measured during the second year of a study with locations started in fall of 2016 and fall of 2017. In the second year at both sites, phosphorus (P) fertilization rate did not affect harvest yields. Applying nitrogen (N) in late fall or late winter resulted in greater spring yields than applying N in spring or not applying N. However, fall harvest yields at Site 1 in 2018 were greater without N, but were greater with spring N application at Site 2 in 2019. In both site-years, the second-year tall fescue total yield rank as affected by …

Effects Of Interseeding Ladino Clover Into Tall Fescue Pastures Of Varying Endophyte Status On Grazing And Subsequent Finishing Performance Of Stocker Steers, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two hundred fifty-six yearling steers grazing tall fescue pastures were used to evaluate the effects of fescue cultivar and interseeding ladino clover on available forage, grazing gains and subsequent finishing performance in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Fescue cultivars evaluated were high-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ low-endophyte Kentucky 31 ‘HM4,’ and ‘MaxQ.’ In 2016, 2018, and 2019, steers that grazed pastures of low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ gained significantly more (P<0.05) and produced more (P<0.05) gain/a than those that grazed high-endophyte Kentucky 31 pastures. Gains of cattle that grazed low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ were similar (P>0.05). In 2017, steer gains were similar (P>0.05) among all cultivars. High-endophyte Kentucky 31 pastures had more (P<0.05) available forage than low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ pastures during both 2016 and 2017. Steer gains and gain/a were similar (P>0.05) between pastures fertilized with …

Nitrogen Fertilizer Timing And Phosphorus And Potassium Fertilization Rates For Established Endophyte-Free Tall Fescue, D. W. Sweeney, J. K. Farney, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A tall fescue production study was conducted at two locations, beginning in the fall of 2016 and the fall of 2017. At both sites, phosphorus (P) fertilization rate only affected the spring harvest, with few differences in yield. Applying nitrogen (N) in late fall or late winter resulted in greater spring yields than applying N in spring or not applying N. However, at Site 1 in 2017 fall harvest yields were greater from the spring N applica­tion, but this response was less at Site 2 in 2018. In both years, applying N increased tall fescue yield, but at Site 2 …

Effects Of Various Grazing Systems On Grazing And Subsequent Finishing Performance, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 360 mixed black yearling steers were used to compare grazing and subsequent finishing performance from pastures with ‘MaxQ’ tall fescue, a wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system, or a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Daily gains of steers that grazed MaxQ fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, or wheat-crabgrass were similar (P>0.05) in 2010, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Daily gains of steers that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass were greater (P>0.05) than those that grazed MaxQ fescue in 2011 and 2012. Daily gains of steers that grazed wheat-crabgrass were greater (P>0.05) than those …

Effects Of Interseeding Ladino Clover Into Tall Fescue Pastures Of Varying Endophyte Status On Grazing And Subsequent Finishing Performance Of Stocker Steers, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred ninety-two yearling steers grazing tall fescue pastures were used to evalu­ate the effects of fescue cultivar and interseeding ladino clover on available forage, grazing gains, and subsequent finishing performance in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Fescue cultivars evaluated were high-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ low-endophyte Kentucky 31, ‘HM4,’ and ‘MaxQ.’ In 2016 and 2018, steers that grazed pastures of low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ gained significantly more (P<0.05) and produced more (P<0.05) gain/a than those that grazed high-endophyte Kentucky 31 pastures. Gains of cattle that grazed low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ were similar (P>0.05). In 2017, steer gains were similar (P>0.05) among all cultivars. High-endo­phyte Kentucky 31 pastures had more (P<0.05) available forage than low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ pastures during both 2016 and 2017. Steer gains and gain/acre were similar (P>0.05) between pastures fertilized with nitrogen (N) in the spring and those interseeded …

Effects Of Interseeding Ladino Clover Into Tall Fescue Pastures Of Varying Endophyte Status On Grazing Performance Of Stocker Steers, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Tall fescue, the most widely adapted cool-season perennial grass in the United States, is grown on approximately 66 million acres. Although tall fescue is well adapted in the eastern half of the country between the temperate north and mild south, presence of a fungal endophyte results in poor performance of grazing livestock, especially during the summer. Until recently, producers with high-endophyte tall fescue pastures had two primary options for improving grazing livestock performance. One option was to destroy existing stands and replace them with endophyte-free fescue or other forages. Although it supports greater animal performance than endophyte-infected fescue, endophyte-free fescue …

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.

Effects Of Various Grazing Systems On Grazing And Subsequent Finishing Performance, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

MaxQ tall fescue, a wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system, and a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system have been three of the most promising grazing systems evaluated at the Kansas State University Southeast Agricultural Research Center in the past 20 years, but these systems have never been compared directly in the same study. The objective of this study was to compare grazing and subsequent finishing performance of stocker steers that grazed these three systems.

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Potassium Fertilization For Newly Established Tall Fescue, D. W. Sweeney, J. L. Moyer, J. K. Farney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Tall fescue is the major cool-season grass in southeastern Kansas. Perennial grass crops, as with annual row crops, rely on proper fertilization for optimum production; however, meadows and pastures are often under-fertilized and produce low quantities of low-quality forage. Even when new stands are established, this is often true. The objective of this study was to determine whether N, P, and K fertilization improves yields during the early years of a stand.

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 …

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.

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_ncalculated from global irradiance (ASCE_HC); 3) daily steps of measured R_n(ASCE_DM); and 4) daily steps of R_ncalculated from global irradiance (ASCE_DC); ET from …

2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Tall Fescue Test: 2016 Data, L. Parsons, Michael J. Shelton, M. Kennelly, J. Griffin, J. Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Research efforts to improve cultivar quality include selecting for stress tolerance and disease resistance 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 2016 growing season.

Effects Of Various Grazing Systems On Grazing And Subsequent Finishing Performance, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 280 mixed black yearling steers were used to compare grazing and subsequent finishing performance from pastures with ‘MaxQ’ tall fescue, a wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system, or a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Daily gains of steers that grazed MaxQ fescue, wheatbermudagrass, or wheat-crabgrass were similar (P>0.05) in 2010 and 2016. Daily gains of steers that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass were greater (P>0.05) than those that grazed MaxQ fescue in 2011 and 2012. Daily gains of steers that grazed wheat-crabgrass were greater (P>0.05) than those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass and …

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Potassium Fertilization For Newly Established Tall Fescue, D. W. Sweeney, J. L. Moyer, J. K. Farney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Tall fescue production was studied during a third year at two locations. In 2015, Site 1 was affected by an interaction between nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization rates; while in 2016, Site 2 mainly received production differences by N fertilization rates. Potassium (K) fertilization caused little effect at both sites.

Third-year production of tall fescue was affected by an interaction between nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization rates at Site 1 in 2015, but mainly by N fertilization rates at Site 2 in 2016, with little effect from potassium (K) fertilization at either site.

Effects Of Interseeding Ladino Clover Into Tall Fescue Pastures Of Varying Endophyte Status On Grazing Performance Of Stocker Steers, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sixty-four yearling steers grazing tall fescue pastures were used to evaluate the effects of fescue cultivar and interseeding ladino clover on grazing gains and available forage. Fescue cultivars evaluated were high-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ low-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ and ‘MaxQ.’ Steers that grazed pastures of low-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ or ‘MaxQ’ gained significantly more (P<0.05) and produced more (P<0.05) gain/a than those that grazed high-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31’ pastures. Gains of cattle that grazed low-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ or ‘MaxQ’ were similar (P>0.05). High-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31’ pastures had more (P<0.05) available forage than lowendophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ or ‘MaxQ’ pastures.

Influence Of Glyphosate Timings On Conversion Of Golf Course Rough From Tall Fescue To ‘Sharps Improved Ii’ Buffalograss, J. Reeves, J. Hoyle, D. Bremer, S. Keeley

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

All treatments, except the control that received no glyphosate application, resulted in acceptable buffalograss establishment (>90% buffalograss green cover) by 70 days after seeding (DAS). However, any treatment not sprayed prior to seeding date or that received a 7 DAS application lagged behind in establishment for 6 weeks after seeding.

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

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Seeding zoysiagrass at 1 lb PLS/1,000 sq ft in June with subsequent seeding of tall fescue into established zoysiagrass in September at 8 lbs PLS/1,000 sq ft resulted in the best mixture of these two species.

Evaluation Of Tall Fescue Cultivars, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Spring 2015 yield was higher for ‘Ky 31 EF’ than for nine of the 19 other entries. Summer production of ‘PBU-B7’ was greater than for five lower-yielding entries. Total 2015 production was greater for ‘PBU-B1’ and Ky 31 EF than for seven other cultivars.

2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Tall Fescue Test: 2015 Data, L. Parsons, M. Kennelly, J. Griffin, J. Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A number of the cultivars included in the 2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Tall Fescue Test performed well and showed good brown patch resistance in southern Kansas during the 2015 growing season.

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Potassium Fertilization For Newly Established Tall Fescue, D. W. Sweeney, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

First-year spring yields of tall fescue in 2013 responded to phosphorus (P) fertilization, but lodging at the R5 growth stage in the spring with higher P fertilization rates may have influenced subsequent fall harvest yields, which declined with increasing P rates. As N rates increased, R5 yields declined but fall harvest yields increased.

Effects Of Cultivar And Distillers Grains Supplementation On Grazing And Subsequent Finishing Performance Of Stocker Steers Grazing Tall Fescue Pasture, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Four hundred thirty-two yearling steers grazing tall fescue pastures were used to evaluate the effects of fescue cultivar and dried distillers grains (DDG) supplementation during the grazing phase on available forage, grazing gains, subsequent finishing gains, and carcass characteristics. Fescue cultivars evaluated were high-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31’ and low-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ and ‘MaxQ.’ Steers were either fed no supplement or were supplemented with DDG at 1.0% body weight per head daily in 2009 or 0.75% of body weight per head daily in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 while grazing. Steers that grazed pastures of low-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ or …

Dormant Turfgrass Paint And Glyphosate Application Timing Effects On Annual Bluegrass And Tall Fescue Control, J. Hoyle, J. Reeves

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Excellent annual bluegrass control can be achieved with dormant glyphosate and glyphosate + Endurant treatments applied November through February. The addition of Endurant to glyphosate in early applications (November and December) increases tall fescue control.