Shade and Traffic Tolerance of Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass

Shade and traffic can reduce turfgrass coverage and playability on both golf courses and sports fields. Five cultivars of bermudagrass and seven cultivars of zoysiagrass were planted in the summer of 2007 and maintained under typical golf course fairway and sports field conditions. Plots were shaded continuously beginning spring 2008 with a 50% light reducing fabric. A second study was implemented using the same plot space to determine traffic tolerance. Digital image analysis was used to measure turfgrass coverage for evaluating shade and traffic tolerance of cultivars. The objective of this study is to evaluate cultivars and species for differences in turf coverage in response to continuous shade as well as simulated traffic. Patriot, Tifsport, and Zenith had poor shade tolerance compared to other cultivars tested in the trial. Meyer, Palisades, Patriot, and Zenith had poor traffic tolerance regardless of the shading treatment. These findings will help turfgrass managers select cultivars and improve playing conditions under conditions of high traffic and/or reduced light.