Cultivar Performance of Low-Input Turfgrass Species for the North Central United States

Turfgrass managers are in need of low-input turfgrass species options. We have previously identified a number of species that do well as low-input, sustainable turf in the north central United States. The objective of this study was to evaluate multiple cultivars of turfgrass species with known adaption to low-input environments in the North Central Region. Twenty-five turfgrass cultivars and selections, representing ten grass species, were evaluated at eight locations. Plots were established in late summer 2007, and after establishment were maintained at 7.6 cm without inputs of pesticides, fertilizer, or supplemental irrigation. Tall fescue, Chewings fescue, hard fescue, and colonial bentgrass performed well at most locations. Sheep fescue, tufted hairgrass, and prairie junegrass all performed adequately at some locations, and poorly at others. Texas bluegrass hybrids and the single Idaho bentgrass entry were not well adapted to most of the region.