Assessing fine fescue mixtures and plant growth regulator applications to determine their effect on traffic tolerance and divot recovery

There has been some transition to using low-input fine fescues on golf courses, but these species have poor traffic tolerance and divot recovery, making them impractical for playable areas courses. The objectives of this study were determine the effect plant growth regulator (PGR) trinexapac-ethyl performance fescue mixtures when managed as a course fairway identify that perform well under stress. Twenty-five tested combined ‘Treazure II’ chewings (Festuca rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaudin), ‘Beacon’ hard brevipila Tracey), ‘Navigator strong creeping red ‘Shoreline’ slender [Festuca littoralis (G. Mey.) Auquier], ‘Quatro’ sheep ovina L.). Field experiments conducted in St. Paul, MN, with PGR, mixture, treatments. benefits PGR quality was relatively small compared management mixture selection. Hard fescue, had greatest impact increasing visual turfgrass after no significant difference recovery any mixtures, divots recovered 12 mo.