Turfgrass Species-Cool Season Grasses - Rye and Bentgrass

The ryegrasses are best known for what?

rapid germination and establishment

What kind of climate does perennial ryegrass like?

cool climates, but no extremes

What kind of soil does perennial ryegrass like?

1. Moist

2. Moderate to high fertility

3. Slightly acidic to neutral pH

Perennial ryegrass:

Wear tolerance is __

Recuperative potential is __ due to __ __

Drought tolerance is __

good

poor due to growth habit

fair

Perennial ryegrass maintenance is __

Mowing height is __

Fertility per year/1000ft2

Irrigation

moderate

1.5-2.5 inches

2-6 lbs N

necessary during drought

Annual ryegrass - Uses

1. Temporary slope stabilization

2. Nurse species for lawn establishment

Annual ryegrass is less tolerant of…

temperature extremes - hot or cold

Why is annual ryegrass used for overseeding warm-season grasses?

for temporary turfs + they are easy to establish

Annual ryegrass:

→ maintenance is __

→ mowing height

→ fertilization 1000 ft2/year

→ best adapted to __, __ soils with pH __-__

moderate

1.5-2.5 inches

3-4 lbs N

fertile, wet soils; pH 6-7

Annual ryegrass has very poor tolerance to?

moisture and heat stress

Members of Cool-season grasses are characterized by: (2)

1. One to several flowered spikelets

2. Glumes longer than lowermost lemma

Agrostis - the bentgrasses, are known for: (3)

1. Fine texture

2. Tolerance of low mowing heights

3. Vigorous growth

Creeping bentgrass:

Maintenance is __

Mowing height

Fertilization N/1000ft2/year

Irrigation

high

0.125-0.5 inches

4-8 pounds

frequent