AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightThe results of the present work showed that tall fescue, if maintained at low mowing height regime, could provide a dense and fine textured turf suitable for sport fields with a high visual turf quality.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Among cool-season turf grasses tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) exhibits the best adaptation to the Mediterranean Ecologies. Many turf type cultivars of this drought and heat resistant turf grass have been recently released and therefore management practices consequently should be adapted. The purpose of the study was to detect the agronomic and sports field characteristics of some turf type tall fescue and traditional cool season sports turf mixture mowed at different heights in a Mediterranean environment and to determine the most favorable turf grass alternative and mowing regime. The trial was carried out in the experimental fields of Bayindir Vocational School, Izmir (Turkey), using three different turf alternatives (Tall Fescue 100%, Tall Fescue 60% + Perennial Rye Grass 40% mixture and Traditional Cool Season Sports Turf Mixture: Perennial Rye Grass 50%, Creeping Red Fescue 20%, Chewing's Red Fescue 10%, Sheep Fescue 10%, Kentucky Blue Grass 10%) under 12, 22 and 32 mm mowing height regime. Visual turf quality, texture and weed invasion traits were determined and shock absorption and vertical deformation were also measured as playing quality parameters for a sports turf. Turf alternatives of tall fescue except traditional cool season sports turf mixture showed an adaptation to low mowing height which increased shoot density and promoted a finer leaf texture. Shock absorption and vertical deformation traits were significantly affected by mowing heights, highest value being recorded for the lowest mowing heights. Nevertheless, a good sports field quality was determined for the tall fescue and tall fescue + perennial ryegrass plots. The results of the present work showed that tall fescue, if maintained at low mowing height regime, could provide a dense and fine textured turf suitable for sport fields with a high visual turf quality.