Soil Temperature Mediated Seedling Emergence and Field Establishment in Bentgrass Species and Cultivars during Spring in the Northeastern United States

Reestablishment of damaged golf greens and fairways planted to creeping bentgrass ( Agrostis stolonifera ), colonial A. capillaris velvet canina ) is a common practice following winter injuries. Identifying species sp.) cultivars with the potential establish under low soil temperatures would be beneficial achieving more mature stands earlier in spring. Twelve cultivars, including seven (007, 13-M, Declaration, L-93, Memorial, Penncross, T-1), two (Capri Tiger II), three (Greenwich, SR-7200, Villa), along ‘Barbeta’ perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne were evaluated for grass cover field during early Bentgrass seeded at same seed count per unit area. Soil monitored unseeded check plots from initial planting date on 8 Apr. termination 29 May 2013. increased linearly 52-day experimental period 4.7 23.5 °C. All emerged ?10 °C temperature. varied only 2 3 days their seedling emergence, while among bentgrasses 5.5 (to 10% cover) 8.6 90% cover). required higher (13.6 °C) time (26 days) emergence Creeping 007, Capri II, statistically equal capacity after achieve faster lower temperatures. Heavier (larger) was associated stages establishment, but size uncorrelated establishment later 50% cover.