Species, cultivar and seeding rate effects on non‐irrigated, pesticide‐free athletic fields playing surface quality

Maintaining high-quality athletic field playing surfaces without the use of synthetic pesticides is challenging. Little research available regarding best overseeding strategies for non-irrigated, pesticide-free, cool-season fields. The objectives this study were to determine effects turfgrass species, cultivar, seeding rate, and seasons on color, dark green color index (DGCI), cover, weeds, overall quality, surface hardness volumetric water content when overseeded under trafficked conditions. Experiments set out as randomized complete block designs arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial with three replications. Treatments consisted perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) (PRG), tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumont] (TF), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis (KBG), two rates, low high, cultivar types, inclusion or exclusion cultivars Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) list. Mean responses across locations years indicated that species selection has most influence successful little differences detected between rate selection. Perennial ryegrass, regardless had significantly higher percent desirable index, least weed cover compared TF KBG. Based results study, effective strategy improving conditions heavily trafficked, fields PRG.