 |
|
||||||||||
 From the News Desk...Bermuda on a dimeby John ReitmanSeeded varieties of Bermudagrasses are becoming increasingly popular for use on golf courses and other applications throughout the transition zone because of recent advancements in turf quality and cold tolerance. The problem for many turfgrass managers in that part of the country, according to researchers at Virginia Tech, is that superior Bermudagrass cultivars exhibiting such coveted traits as enhanced cold, drought and wear tolerance, such as Riviera, are relatively new and as such tend to be expensive and in short supply. Research conducted at Virginia Tech demonstrates that blending Riviera with less expensive and less cold-adapted varieties at various rates can lead to a predominant Riviera stand over time. In fact, two separate research trials resulted Riviera dominance within blends was visible as soon as the spring of the second growing season. Research was conducted from 2004 to 2007 at the Turfgrass Research Center of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg by the team of James Goatley Jr., Ph.D., Brandon Horvath, Ph.D., and Wade Thomason, Ph.D., as well as Kevin Hensler and Whitnee Askew. Their findings recently were published in “Applied Turfgrass Science.” Reseachers initiated tests in 2004 and 2005 that comprised blending Riviera with Arizona Common Bermuda and Wrangler Bermuda at rates of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent Riviera seed content. Arizona was developed for use as turf while Wrangler was developed for grazing and foraging. The research also included Riata, which comprises 60 percent Wrangler and 40 percent Riviera. Research conducted at Virginia Tech demonstrates that blending Riviera with less expensive and less cold-adapted varieties at various rates can lead to a predominant Riviera stand over time. In fact, two separate research trials resulted Riviera dominance within blends was visible as soon as the spring of the second growing season.Plots were seeded at rates of 24.5 and 49 kg of seed per hectare, and each treatment was replicated three times. Riviera was developed by former Oklahoma State University turf breeder Charles Taliaferro, Ph.D., and underwent NTEP trials at 20 sites nationwide from 1997 to 2001. It has been licensed for distribution to Johnston Seed of Enid, Okla., since 2004. In NTEP trials, Riviera exhibited superior tolerance to cold, drought and wear, as well as spring green up, divot recovery and disease resistance. Likewise, previous research studies conducted at Virginia Tech and the University of Arkansas have shown Riviera to be among the earliest greening varieties of Bermuda. In the latest Virginia Tech research, Trial 1 was initiated in 2004 and Trial 2 a year later. Riviera’s ability to establish dominance when blended with lesser varieties of Bermuda was measured through 2007 in both trials. In both trials there was a direct relationship between increasing seed rates of Riviera and green up as transition progressed. Likewise, there was a direct relationship between increasing rates of Riviera and visual turf quality in both trials. Blends with as little as 25 percent Riviera exhibited improved turf quality within two years, indicating that Riviera quickly established dominance over the lesser Bermudas. Researchers determined through a survey of regional seed suppliers that Riviera was the most expensive seed in the study at $62 per kilogram, followed by Riata ($46), Wrangler ($37) and Wrangler ($9). Despite their findings, the researchers at Virginia Tech concluded that more trials are needed to evaluate performance and potential cost savings because of weather variability in the transition zone. |
 In other news... Greens of envy Olympic Club members and 2012 U.S. Open reap benefits of converting from Poa annua to bentgrass. Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » News and people briefs Register now for New England turf show, Toro introduces walk-behind trencher, Sipcam adds to sales staff Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » A better divot digger Motorized device developed at the University of Arkansas produces uniform damage quickly and could help advance turf recovery research. Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » Currier moving on from Bethpage Site of this year's U.S. Open to get new superintendent and 15th green. Posted: 11/18/2009 Read more » Economic struggles mean finding more fat to trim Superintendents look for ways to cut due to shrinking budgets. Posted: 11/16/2009 Read more » Complete news index »
|
|
 |
 — The TurfNet Media Network: TurfNet.com, TurfNet TV, TurfNet Monthly, TurfNet University — Connecting golf course superintendents worldwide, since 1994. © 1994-2009, Turnstile Publishing Company. All rights reserved. |
 |