Plant parasitic nematodes, substrates or grass species as reasons for poor reestablishment of a sand‐based putting green after winter kill

In 2018–2019, establishment problems were encountered, after reseeding creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) on a sand-based putting green ice encasement at the NIBIO Turfgrass Research Center, Norway. Seeds germinated, but seedlings attained purple color and died in large patches. Replacement of top 3 cm layer with new sand amended Sphagnum peat or garden compost did not solve problem. To explain this phenomenon, we (1) analyzed original substrate for nematodes patches without reestablishment failure; (2) conducted factorial pot trial Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. commutata) seeded different substrates, some them layers, phosphorus (P) fertilization. The nematode counts showed six times more stubby-root two spiral needle dead than healthy seedings. trial, fastest slowest was observed treatments that included substrate, respectively. old resulted stagnation from four weeks seeding, while unaffected. We conclude failure to reestablish primarily due nematodes, which are likely be critical established turf. later reestablished successfully 100 % red seed blend.