Impact of Zoysiagrass and Tall Fescue Seed Mixtures on Brown Patch Severity
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports Impact of Zoysiagrass and Tall Fescue Seed Mixtures on Brown
Kansas State University 0 1
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J. Fry 0 1
M. Kennelly
0 Kansas State University , USA
1 Xiang , Mingying; Fry, J.; and Kennelly, M. (2017) "Impact of Zoysiagrass and Tall Fescue Seed Mixtures on
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Impact of Zoysiagrass and Tall Fescue Seed Mixtures on Brown Patch Severity
Abstract
Earlier research has demonstrated that polystands of zoysiagrass and tall fescue can be established
successfully, with the potential to provide a high-quality turfgrass stand with reduced inputs. Our objective
was to determine whether mixing zoysiagrass with tall fescue will reduce brown patch severity while
maintaining overall acceptable quality. Studies were established at the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research
Center in Manhattan, KS. In the split-plot design, natural infection by Rhizoctonia solani or a
fungicidetreated control was the whole-plot treatment factor and species (tall fescue monostand and the
zoysiagrass/tall fescue mixture) were subplots. During July and August 2016, when hot, humid weather
triggers brown patch, excessive irrigation was applied to promote brown patch. Disease severity was
measured by visual ratings and digital image analysis; number of infected leaves in each plot was
recorded using a grid. The mixed stand then showed less plot area affected by brown patch disease
compared to the monostand of tall fescue.
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July 2017
Turfgrass Research
Impact of Zoysiagrass and Tall Fescue Seed
Mixtures on Brown Patch Severity
Mingying Xiang, Jack Fry, and Megan Kennelly
Summary. Earlier research has demonstrated that polystands of zoysiagrass and tall
fescue can be established successfully, with the potential to provide a high-quality
turfgrass stand with reduced inputs. Our objective was to determine whether mixing
zoysiagrass with tall fescue will reduce brown patch severity while maintaining
overall acceptable quality. Studies were established at the Rocky Ford Turfgrass
Research Center in Manhattan, KS. In the split-plot design, natural infection by
Rhizoctonia solani or a fungicide-treated control was the whole-plot treatment factor and
species (tall fescue monostand and the zoysiagrass/tall fescue mixture) were subplots.
During July and August 2016, when hot, humid weather triggers brown patch,
excessive irrigation was applied to promote brown patch. Disease severity was measured
by visual ratings and digital image analysis; number of infected leaves in each plot was
recorded using a grid. The mixed stand then showed less plot area affected by brown
patch disease compared to the monostand of tall fescue.
Rationale. Hot summers and cold winters make it difficult to grow cool- and
warmseason turfgrasses, respectively. Tall fescue is used frequently in Kansas due to its heat
and drought tolerance compared to some other cool-season grasses. Brown patch
caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani Kühn AG-2-2 IIIB is the main disease
limiting the growth of tall fescue in summer, and brown patch resistance in tall fescue
cultivars is limited. Zoysiagrass is a warm-season grass with better heat and drought
tolerance compared to cool-season grasses, and it may be a good mixture partner
with tall fescue. Previous research has demonstrated that a zoysiagrass and tall fescue
mixture can be established successfully, with the potential to provide a high-quality
turfgrass stand with reduced inputs. From an epidemiological standpoint, polystands
of species or cultivars decrease the rate of disease spread compared to monostands.
View all turfgrass research reports online at: http://newprairiepress.org/kaesrr
Objective. The objective of this research was to determine whether mixing
zoysiagrass with tall fescue will reduce brown patch severity while maintaining overall
acceptable quality in Kansas.
Study Description. Studies wer (...truncated)