Timing of fraise mowing for overseeding establishment of perennial ryegrass

Overseeding of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is often performed to provide green cover of dormant warm-season turfgrass in the winter. Fraise mowing is a cultural practice that can be used to disrupt the soil surface and hasten establishment of overseeded perennial ryegrass. Research was conducted to determine the most effective timing of overseeding for perennial ryegrass establishment in Northeast Mississippi, and to compare fraise mowing with other common cultural practices performed to enhance overseeding establishment. Treatments included fraise mowing at two depths (0.3 or 0.6 inches), scalping to a height of 1 inch, or vertical mowing to a depth of 1 inch at three timings (mid-September, mid-October, and end-October) prior to seeding perennial ryegrass at 435 lb pure live seed acre⁻¹. Plots were evaluated weekly for turfgrass quality, visual perennial ryegrass cover, and total green cover with digital image analysis. Fraise mowing to a depth of 0.6 inches and scalping resulted in quicker perennial ryegrass establishment. Fraise mowing to a depth of 0.3 inches resulted in quicker perennial ryegrass establishment than both the untreated control and vertically mowed treatments. End-October fraise mowing resulted in the slowest establishment, as growing conditions were not favorable for perennial ryegrass growth. Although the mid-September and mid-October treatments provided the most rapid perennial ryegrass establishment, almost all seeding timings were visually similar by March 15th of the following year. Though fraise mowing temporarily causes an undesirable playing surface, more rapid perennial ryegrass establishment is afforded by restricting bermudagrass competition.