LAWNS

RATINGS OF POPULAR TURFGRASS SPECIES WITH RESPECT TO THE FOLLOWING:
Cold tolerance Heat tolerance Shade tolerance
Disease potential Leaf texture (wideness of leaves) Shoot density
Drought tolerance Mowing height adaptation Soil acidity tolerance
Establishment vigor Mowing quality  (ease of mowing) Thatching tendancy
Fertility requirements Recuperative capacity Wear resistance
Flooding tolerance Salt tolerance

DISEASES
Fairy rings
Lawn & turf grasses with endophyte-induced pest resistance
Melting out
Snow mold

Cold tolerance
Turfgrasses are ranked from highest to lowest cold tolerance.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., wheatgrass and sheep fescue have similar cold tolerances).

HIGH
Creeping bentgrass
        Wheatgrasses
        Sheep fescue
        Kentucky bluegrass
        Timothy
        Colonial bluegrass
                Fine fescues
                        Alkaligrass
                        Tall fescue
                                Perennial ryegrass
                                        Buffalograss
LOW

Disease potential
Turfgrasses are ranked from highest to lowest disease potential.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., fine fescues and perennial ryegrass have similar disease potential).

HIGH
Creeping bentgrass
        Colonial bentgrass
                Velvet bentgrass
                        Kentucky bluegrass
                                Fine fescues
                                Perennial ryegrass
                                        Tall fescue
LOW

Drought tolerance
Turfgrasses are ranked from highest to lowest drought tolerance.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., buffalograss, crested wheatgrass, and western wheatgrass have similar drought tolerances).

HIGH
Buffalograss
Crested wheatgrass
Western wheatgrass
        Sheep fescue
                Canada bluegrass
                        Fine fescue
                        Tall fescue
                        Orchardgrass
                        Kentucky bluegrass
                        Perennial ryegrass
                                Annual bluegrass
                                Colonial bentgrass
                                Creeping bentgrass
                                        Timothy
                                        Roughstalk bluegrass
LOW

Establishment vigor
Turfgrasses are ranked from fastest to slowest establishment time.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., tall fescue and fine fescue have similar establishment vigors).

FAST
Perennial ryegrass
        Tall fescue
        Fine fescue
                Creeping bentgrass
                Colonial bentgrass
                        Kentucky bluegrass
                                Timothy
                                        Velvet bentgrass
                                                Wheatgrasses
                                                Buffalograss
                                                Sheep fescue
SLOW

Fertility requirements
Turfgrasses are ranked from highest to lowest fertility requirements.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., Kentucky bluegrass and Colonial bentgrass have similar fertility requirements).

HIGH
Creeping bentgrass
        Kentucky bluegrass
        Colonial bentgrass
        Perennial ryegrass
        Velvet bentgrass
                Annual bluegrass
                Canada bluegrass
                        Buffalograss
                                Tall fescue
                                Fine fescues
                                        Orchardgrass
                                                Sheep fescue
                                                Wheatgrasses
LOW

Flooding tolerance
Turfgrasses are ranked from highest to lowest flood tolerance.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., creeping bentgrass and tall fescue have similar flood tolerances).

HIGH
Roughstalk bluegrass
        Creeping bentgrass
        Tall fescue
                Alkaligrass
                Colonial bentgrass
                Velvet bentgrass
                        Kentucky bluegrass
                        Perennial ryegrass
                                Timothy
                                Orchardgrass
                                        Fine fescues
                                                Wheatgrasses
                                                Sheep fescue
                                                        Canada bluegrass
                                                        Buffalograss
LOW

Heat tolerance
Turfgrasses are ranked from highest to lowest heat tolerance.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., buffalograss and tall fescue have similar heat tolerances).

HIGH
Buffalograss
Tall fescue
Wheatgrasses
Sheep fescue
        Creeping bentgrass
        Alkaligrass
        Sheep fescue
        Canada bluegrass
                Kentucky bluegrass
                Colonial bentgrass
                Fine fescues
                        Perennial ryegrass
                                Orchardgrass
                                Timothy
LOW


 
 
 

Leaf texture (wideness of leaves)
Turfgrasses are ranked from coarse to narrow for leaf texture.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., orchardgrass and tall fescue have similar leaf texture).

COURSE (wide)
Orchardgrass
Tall fescue
Wheatgrasses
       Kentucky bluegrass
        Perennial ryegrass
        Canada bluegrass
        Timothy
                Buffalograss
                Colonial bentgrass
                Alkaligrass
                        Creeping bentgrass
                        Fine fescues
                        Sheep fescues
                                Velvet bentgrass
FINE (narrow)
 

Mowing height adaptation
Turfgrasses are ranked from highest to lowest mowing height tolerance. For example, creeping bentgrass can tolerate much lower mowing heights than can wheatgrasses which must be mowed higher.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., tall fescue and sheep fescue have similar mowing height tolerances).

HIGH MOWING HEIGHT
Wheatgrasses
        Orchardgrass
                Tall fescue
                Sheep fescue
                        Canada bluegrass
                                Fine fescue
                                        Perennial ryegrass
                                        Kentucky bluegrass
                                        Buffalograss
                                                Turf timothy
                                                 Roughstalk bluegrass
                                                        Colonial bentgrass
                                                        Creeping bentgrass
                                                        Annual bluegrass
LOW MOWING HEIGHT

Mowing quality (ease of mowing)
Turfgrasses are ranked from good to poor mowing quality.  Poor mowing quality means the grass is tough and difficult to mow. All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., kentucky bluegrass and colonial bentgrass have similar mowing quality).

GOOD
Kentucky bluegrass
Colonial bentgrass
Creeping bentgrass
        Tall fescue
        Fine fescue
                Sheep fescue
                    Perennial ryegrass
POOR

Recuperative capacity
Turfgrasses are ranked from high to low for recuperative capacity after turf has been damaged.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., perennial ryegrass and fine fescues have similar recuperative capacity).

HIGH
Creeping bentgrass
        Kentucky bluegrass
                Timothy
                        Perennial ryegrass
                        Fine fescue
                                Colonial bentgrass
                                Velvet bentgrass
                                        Sheep fescue
                                                Wheatgrasses
                                                Orchardgrass
                                                Buffalograss
LOW

Salt tolerance
Turfgrasses are ranked from high to low salt tolerance.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., creeping bentgrass and timothy have similar salt tolerances).

HIGH
Alkaligrass
        Buffalograss
                Wheatgrass
                        Creeping bentgrass
                        Timothy
                        Sheep fescue
                        Tall fescue
                        Perennial ryegrass
                        Canada bluegrass
                        Fine fescue
                                Kentucky bluegrass
                                Colonial bentgrass
                                Orchardgrass
                                        Velvet Bentgrass
LOW

Shade tolerance
Turfgrasses are ranked from high to low for shade tolerance.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., sheep fescue and velvet bentgrass have similar shade tolerance).

HIGH
Roughstalk bluegrass
        Fine fescues
                Sheep fescue
                Velvet bentgrass
                        Orchardgrass
                                Colonial bentgrass
                                Tall fescue
                                Canada bluegrass
                                        Annual bluegrass
                                        Creeping bentgrass
                                                Kentucky bluegrass
                                                Perennial ryegrass
                                                        Buffalograss
LOW

Shoot density
Turfgrasses are ranked from high to low for shoot density.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., creeping bentgrass and colonial bentgrass have similar shoot density).

HIGH
Creeping bentgrass
Colonial bentgrass
        Sheep fescue
        Fine fescue
                Kentucky bluegrass
                Perennial ryegrass
                        Buffalograss
                        Tall fescue
                        Alkaligrass
                                Canada bluegrass
                                        Wheatgrasses
                                        Orchardgrass
LOW

Soil acidity tolerance
Turfgrasses are ranked from high to low soil acidity tolerance.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., tall fescue and fine fescues have similar soil acidity tolerances).

HIGH
Velvet bentgrass
        Tall fescue
        Fine fescues
        Sheep fescue
                Colonial bentgrass
                Creeping bentgrass
                        Orchardgrass
                        Perennial ryegrass
                        Kentucky bluegrass
                                Wheatgrasses
                                Alkaligrass
                                        Timothy
LOW

Thatching tendancy
Turfgrasses are ranked from high to low thatching tendancy.  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., velvet bentgrass and colonial bentgrass have similar thatching tendancies).

HIGH
Creeping bentgrass
        Velvet bentgrass
        Colonial bentgrass
                Kentucky bluegrass
                        Fine fescues
                                Perennial ryegrass
                                Tall fescue
                                        Sheep fescue
                                        Timothy
                                                Alkaligrass
                                                Buffalograss
                                                        Wheatgrasses
                                                                Orchardgrass
LOW

Wear resistance
Turfgrasses are ranked from high to low for wear resistance (ability to withstand foot traffic, etc.).  All turfgrasses that are vertically aligned are of equal adaptibility (e.g., fine fescues and buffalograss have similar wear resistances).

HIGH
Tall fescue
        Perennial ryegrass
                Canada bluegrass
                        Sheep fescue
                                Fine fescues
                                Buffalograss
                                        Kentucky bluegrass
                                        Timothy
                                                Creeping bentgrass
                                                Colonial bentgrass
                                                Velvet bentgrass
LOW

Fairy Rings
 
One of the first parts of the lawn to green up in the spring are the circular fungal infections called fairy rings. While fairy rings are not particularly attractive, they are not terribly damaging to lawns, and most people just learn to live with them. One reason is that there are no easy ways to get rid of them. One difficult way is to dig up the entire infested area to 2 feet deep and at least 1 foot beyond the outer edges of the ring. If you choose this method, dispose of the infected soil, taking care not to spill any on healthy lawn.

Because fairy rings do not really destroy turf, most people just ignore them. There are some techniques for minimizing the rings, however. Remove and discard the mushrooms that usually develop around the edge of the rings. Fairy rings grow well in dry, low fertility lawns. Spiking the fairy ring area with a spading fork every few days and watering it well sometimes works. Encourage beneficial soil microbes by the application of organic fertilizers and by topdressing with humus builders such as finished compost, or commercial products like Lawn Restore or Vitabuild. Supplemental nitrogen can help compensate for temporary nitrogen tie-up by beneficial microbes.

A remedy I have heard about is to wait for a full moon, set a comfortable lawn chair out, and with a 6-pack of your favorite beverage try and catch the fairy that is responsible for the rings; the theory goes, even if you don't catch the culprit, by the time your beverage is gone, you won't care about the rings anymore. This remedy is said to be ineffective, but enjoyable.
 
References:
 Shurtleff, M., W. Thomas, and R. Randell. 1987. Controlling Turfgrass Pests. Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07362. 449 pp.

Turfgrass Compendium. The American Phytopathological Society Disease Compendia Series, St. Paul, Minnesota. 126 pp.

Watschke, T., P. Dernoeden, and D. Shetlar. 1995. Managing Turfgrass Pests. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL, 361 pp.
 

Written by Sherry Lajeunesse, Extension Urban Pest Management Specialist. Sept., 1997
 

Lawn & Turf Grasses with Endophyte-Induced Pest Resistance

 Endophytes are naturally-occurring fungi that live inside the tissues of certain grass species. They benefit the grass by producing toxins that repel and kill many grass-feeding insects and provide resistance against certain diseases. They also make grasses more vigorous, more tolerant of heat and drought, and more competitive against weeds. In return, the grass provides the nourishment and the environment the fungi need to survive.
 
These beneficial fungi have been added to many lawn and turfgrass varieties in recent years, and many of these varieties are now commercially available. If you are reseeding lawns or turf in the fall or establishing new turfgrass areas, you may want to consider the benefits of purchasing grass seed with endophytes.
 
Some of the insect pests that are controlled or reduced by endophytes include cutworms, sod webworms, aphids, and most insects that feed on the crown and lower stem of grasses. Endophytes are also found in the root system, but have variable effects on root-feeding pests such as grubs: sometimes they help, sometimes they do not. Endophyte-induced resistance to diseases has not been well documented at this time. It has been reported that dollar spot, leaf spot, stem rust, and brown patch might be reduced by endophyte inoculation.
 
Not all turf varieties can be inoculated with endophytes, but new ones are expected to be available soon. Tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue are some of the grass species for which endophyte-inoculated varieties are commercially available. Unfortunately, endophytes that can survive in Kentucky bluegrass have not yet been found, but researchers hope to soon discover a strain that will work.
 
A caution when considering the use of endophyte-inoculated grass is that the toxins produced by endophytes can be toxic to livestock that graze the plants. Do not plant endophyte-inoculated grass where horses or other livestock might eat it. The toxins are harmless to humans and non-grazing animals.
 
When purchasing grass seed that contains endophytes, check the lot numbers to make sure the seed is fresh because the endophytes may die after storage of two years or less. The grass seed may still be viable, but the fungi may not be.
 
References:
Danneberger, T.K. 1993. Turfgrass Ecology and Management. G.I.E. Inc., Cleveland, OH. 201 pp.

Handbook of Integrated Pest Management for Turf and Ornamentals. 1994. Leslie, A.R., ed. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Lewis Pub., Boca Raton, FL. 660 pp.

The IPM Practitioner. Bio-Integral Resource Center. Berkeley, CA 94707.
 
Written by Sherry Lajeunesse, Extension Urban Pest Management Specialist. Sept., 1997
 

Melting-Out

Irregularly-shaped dead patches in your lawn could be from a fungal disease called melting-out. Melting-out is one phase manifested by the leaf, crown and root rots that are the most common and serious group of diseases attacking lawn and turf grasses in the US.
 
When the fungi attack the leaf portions of grass, the symptoms are small dark brown, reddish-brown, or purplish spots which appear on the grass blades from early spring to late fall. The spots increase rapidly in size, become round or oblong, and the centers gradual fade to an ash white or straw color. Sometimes, the spots are described as "eye-spots". Leaf infections are sometimes so severe that the blade is girdled and drops, sometimes entire grass plants are killed.
 
These fungi can be very destructive during wet, humid weather or in areas where the turf is sprinkled frequently, especially in late afternoon and early evening. The more often grass is wet and the longer it remains wet, the greater will be the chance of disease.
 
With the arrival of relatively dry weather, the fungi may attack the roots of diseased plants. These symptoms usually appear first in warm to hot weather as a reddish-brown decay of the root tissues. Sometimes the color turns chocolate-brown to black. Such plants lack vigor and often wilt during mid-day, even when soil moisture is abundant. The lawn may have a drouth-injured appearance, then gradually turn brown and begin thinning out. As the disease progresses, large irregular areas are yellowed, then become straw-colored and die out. This is called the melting-out phase. In some instances the entire lawn can be lost. Once the fungi that cause melting out disease become established in a lawn they cannot be eradicated and remain an ever-present problem.
 
To manage melting-out disease, mow bluegrasses, fescues, and ryegrasses at the recommended maximum height. Avoid close clipping at all times. Mow the grass so that no more than 1/3 of the grass height is removed at one time.
 
If dense thatch more than one-half inch thick has formed, reduce or remove it with a power rake in the spring or early fall. These machines can be rented at most large garden supply centers. Application of sufficient, but not heavy amounts of slow-release available nitrogen can also help. Too much nitrogen can be detrimental and can leach into the ground water. Soil tests can determine proper amounts. Proper watering practices will also help manage melting-out disease. For information on good watering practices, see the fact sheet in this series, "Watering of Lawns and Trees".
 
When planting new lawn or turf, buy only top-quality, disease-free seed, sod, springs or plugs from a reputable dealer. Select locally adapted, disease-resistant grasses or combinations (blends and mixtures). Your county Extension agent can recommend grass species to grow.
 
References:
 Shurtleff, M., W. Thomas, and R. Randell. 1987. Controlling Turfgrass Pests. Prentice- Hall,  Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 449 pp.

Smiley, R., P. Dernoeden, and B. Clark. 1992. Compendium of Turfgrass Diseases. 1992. The American Phytopathological Society Disease Compendia Series. APS Press, St. Paul, MN 55121. 98 pp.

Watschke, T., P. Dernoeden, and D. Shetlar. 1995. Managing Turfgrass Pests. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL. 361 pp.
 
Written by Sherry Lajeunesse, Extension Urban Pest Management Specialist. Sept., 1997
 

Snow Mold
 
 Snow mold can be a problem during cold, wet autumn and spring weather and under the snow in winter. As snow melts, patches of grey, white or pink fuzzy mold appear on the grass. The grass blades may turn yellow or brown. Circular to irregular patches of turf may die and occasionally form large areas of dead grass.
 
Turf is most at risk when snow falls on unfrozen, wet ground. Heavy snow accumulation that lasts late into spring allows the disease more time to develop. Excessive nitrogen fertilizer forces the turf to grow late into autumn and so the turf does not "harden-off" for winter and is more susceptible to these fungi.
 
To manage snow mold, use slow-release nitrogen fertilizers earlier in the season, reduce fertilizer application and irrigation in late summer to allow the turf to harden off. For the last mowing of the season, adjust mower cutting height to about two inches, so grass does not 'mat' under snow. Rake up fallen leaves and other moisture-holding debris. In the spring, break up piles of snow, if feasible, to speed melting. Pick up grass clippings and manage thatch, keeping thatch layers less than 3/4" thick. If soils are compacted, aeration and improving drainage may help. When the lawn has dried in spring, use a stiff broom to break up the patches of mold.
 
In home lawns, chemical control is rarely required. If chemicals are used, apply flowable sulfur fungicide or other labeled fungicide to the infected areas every three to five days until the symptoms disappear.
 
 References:
 Watschke, T., P. Dernoeden, and D. Shetlar. 1995. Managing Turfgrass Pests. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL, 361 pp.

Turfgrass Compendium. The American Phytopathological Society Disease Compendia Series, St. Paul, Minnesota. 126 pp.

Shurtleff, M., et al. 1987. Controlling Turfgrass Pests. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 449 pp.
 
Written by Sherry Lajeunesse, Extension Urban Pest Management Sprecialist. 1997.