2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Tall Fescue Test: 2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Tall Fescue Test: 2016 Data 2016 Data

Summary. Research efforts to improve cultivar quality include selecting for stress tolerance and disease resistance as well as finer leaf texture, a rich green color, and better sward density. Several cultivars included in the 2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Tall Fescue Test performed well and showed good brown patch resistance in south central Kansas during the 2016 growing season. Rationale. The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) locates studies nationwide to evaluate cultivars of a variety of turfgrass species under all types of environmental conditions. Wichita, KS, was selected for an ancillary trial of the 2012 National Tall Fescue Test, emphasizing brown patch resistance. Tall fescue is the best-adapted cool-season turfgrass for Kansas’s transition zone because it is drought and heat tolerant and has few serious insect and disease problems. Efforts to improve cultivar quality include selecting for stress tolerance and disease resistance, as well as finer leaf texture, a rich green color, and better sward density. Objective. The objective of this research was to evaluate tall fescue cultivars for brown patch resistance and general quality under south central Kansas growing conditions and submit data collected to the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program. Study Description. On September 11, 2012, we seeded 116 tall fescue cultivars and experimental lines at the John C. Pair Horticultural Center in Wichita, KS. The study was established in a randomized complete block design with three replications that comprised 348 individual plots measuring 5 × 5 feet. Before seeding, we incorporated nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) as a 13-13-13 fertilizer into the study plots at a rate of 1 lb NPK/1000 ft 2 . During 2016, we fertilized the

Summary. Research efforts to improve cultivar quality include selecting for stress tolerance and disease resistance as well as finer leaf texture, a rich green color, and better sward density. Several cultivars included in the 2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Tall Fescue Test performed well and showed good brown patch resistance in south central Kansas during the 2016 growing season.
Rationale. The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) locates studies nationwide to evaluate cultivars of a variety of turfgrass species under all types of environmental conditions. Wichita, KS, was selected for an ancillary trial of the 2012 National Tall Fescue Test, emphasizing brown patch resistance. Tall fescue is the best-adapted cool-season turfgrass for Kansas's transition zone because it is drought and heat tolerant and has few serious insect and disease problems. Efforts to improve cultivar quality include selecting for stress tolerance and disease resistance, as well as finer leaf texture, a rich green color, and better sward density.
Objective. The objective of this research was to evaluate tall fescue cultivars for brown patch resistance and general quality under south central Kansas growing conditions and submit data collected to the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program.
Study Description. On September 11, 2012, we seeded 116 tall fescue cultivars and experimental lines at the John C. Pair Horticultural Center in Wichita, KS. The study was established in a randomized complete block design with three replications that comprised 348 individual plots measuring 5 × 5 feet. Before seeding, we incorporated nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) as a 13-13-13 fertilizer into the study plots at a rate of 1 lb NPK/1000 ft 2 . During 2016, we fertilized the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service plots with urea on March 17, June 6, and November 1 at 1.0 lb N/1000 ft 2 . We applied Prodiamine pre-emergent herbicide on March 10, Triplet herbicide on April 19 for white clover, and Dylox insecticide on August 11 for white grubs. We received 11.93 inches of rain in August and 15.56 in September. During both months, there was a period of time within which the plots were under water for more than 12 hours. The rain caused infrequent mowing and at a slightly higher setting than we had hoped for. We mowed weekly, when possible, at a mowing height of 3.0 to 3.5 inches and dropped clippings. We irrigated when necessary to prevent turf stress or dormancy.
We rated the study visually on a scale of 1 to 9 with 1 = poorest measure, 6 = acceptable, and 9 = optimum measure. We rated percent brown patch infestation visually on a scale of 0 to 100%. During 2016, we collected data on spring green up on March 22, brown patch resistance on August 23, and percent brown patch infestation on August 24. We rated overall quality on March 31, April 26, May 26, June 28, July 25, August 30, September 29, and October 25. Quality ratings were influenced by degree of cover, weed infestation, and disease resistance, as well as turf color, texture, and density.
Complete 2012 National Tall Fescue Test results and more information on NTEP can be found online at http://www.ntep.org/.