oa trivialis., often called rough with good seedling vigor, and has Rhizoctonia brown patch, leaf Pbluegrass, is native to northern excellent winter hardiness. spot, and dollar spot are the most com- Europe, temperate Asia, and North Rough bluegrass has also been mon diseases associated with Poa triv- Africa, and has been introduced to useful for winter overseeding of dor- ialis, however grey snow mold, pink both North and South America and mant warm-season turfs in the South. snow mold, ophiobolus patch, Australia. In southern overseeding mixtures, pythium blight, fusarium blight, rust, Brought to the United States from rough bluegrass is usually combined stripe smut, and powdery mildew Europe during the Colonial period, it with improved turf-type perennial have also been reported as occurring is best adapted to moist, shaded areas ryegrasses (10 to 15% Poa trivialis with on this species. from Newfoundland to North Car- 85 to 90% perennial ryegrass by Before the release of Sabre Poa triv- olina and from Alaska to California. weight). ialis in 1977, no domestic cultivars Poa trivialis produces a moder- Rough bluegrass does not tolerate were commercially available and most ately-fine textured, light green, drought and is likely to be short-lived of the seed was imported from Europe. medium-dense turf. It is a cool-sea- on dry sites. The root system is European common types are normally son, sod forming perennial which fibrous, relatively shallow, and taller, lighter green, and form a looser spreads by creeping leafy stolons, and annual in nature. It may be severely sod than Sabre. Common types are of may be found growing in soils with a damaged or killed during periods of limited value for quality turf in moist pH from 5 to 8, with the best growth moisture stress, especially in dry shaded lawns or for winter overseed- between 6 and 7. sandy soils. Poa trivialis also has poor ing. However, these common types may Beside being well-adapted to wear tolerance and will not persist be useful for forage purposes in cool, damp, shaded locations, it is also under heavy traffic. moist environments, normally found in found growing in wet meadows, in There are approximately 2.3 mil- northern Europe. fertile grasslands and along lion seeds per pound. The seed germi- Development of cultivars with ditchbanks. Poa trivialis has the abil- nates under a wide temperature range lower growth habit, darker color, ity to germinate and grow at low tem- with peak germination occurring at denser sod, improved disease resis- peratures, displays good color approximately 50 degrees F. Below 40 tance, and reduced seed shattering retention in the fall, produces early degrees F. less than 50% of the seed would be helpful in expanding the spring greenup, germinates rapidly will germinate. potential useage of this species. POA TRIVIALIS A Specialty Use Turfgrass

by Richard Hurley, Ph.D., Vice President and Director of Research and Agronomy, Lofts Seed Inc., Bound Brook, NJ

Rough bluegrass variety shade test at Lofts research farm in New Jersey. Management both light and frequent irrigation During establishment, irrigate Rough bluegrass as a permanent turf because it is shallow-rooted. lightly 3 to 4 times per day between 10 is limited to shaded sites in the cool When used for overseeding dor- a.m. and 4 p.m. Once the turf is estab- humid and cool semi-arid regions of mant warm-season putting greens, lished, syringing during mid-day may the U.S. (zones 1, 5, 6, and 7). It should Poa trivialis seeding rates of 15 to 20 be necessary when dry, windy not be used for a permanent turf in pounds per 1,000 square feet are rec- weather causes surface drying. If transition or warm-season zones ommended. However, rough blue- rough bluegrass is damaged by heat or (zones 2, 3, 4, and 8) or in full sun in grass mixtures containing 85% drought, premature spring transition cooler climates (zones 1, 5, 6, and 7). perennial ryegrass with 15% rough may occur. For permanent turf a seeding rate bluegrass, or 60% perennial ryegrass of two pounds per 1,000 square feet is Improved varieties recommended. Three pounds per Sabre was developed by Dr. C. Reed 1,000 square feet is suggested when Look for Landscape Funk and Bill Dickson at Rutgers Uni- using a seed mixture designed for versity and released in 1977. It has a shaded sites, such as 30% Poa trivialis, Manager's Guide to medium leaf texture with a darker 30% shade tolerant Kentucky blue- green leaf color when compared to grass, 20% fine fescue, and 20% turf- Bentgrasses in the Danish common. Sabre, like other type perennial ryegrass. January 1985 Golf sources of Poa trivialis is sensitive to In shaded areas rough bluegrass heat and drought and is susceptible to may be mowed lower than other cool- Issue of WT&T. dollar spot and brown patch disease. season grasses (as low as V2-inch). Sabre has performed well when used Applications of a 25:5:10 or equivalent as a component in mixtures for use in complete fertilizer should be applied with 25% chewings fescue and 15% overseeding dormant warm-season once in early spring before trees leaf rough bluegrass are desirable. turfs. It is also useful for permanent out and in mid- to late-fall after the Once established, Poa trivialis can turf in damp cool, shaded locations in leaves have fallen. withstand heights of cut below 3/ib- temperate climates. WT&T Dandelion and broadleaf weeds inch. Frequent light verticutting is may be controlled with 2,4-D, how- necessary to prevent grain from ever injury to Poa trivialis may occur developing. Light frequent applica- Dr. Hurley studied Poa trivialis as part of his 1 if this herbicide is applied at higher tions of soluble nitrogen at /2 pound graduate work under Dr. C. Reed Funk at than normal rates or when tem- per 1,000 square feet is recommended Rutgers University and is currently working peratures are above 85 degrees F. every two to three weeks after winter on an improved variety of rough bluegrass Rough bluegrass benefits from overseeding. for the landscape market for Lofts Seed Inc.

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