Impact of mowing height and late autumn fertilization on winter survival and spring performance of golf greens in the Nordic countries

Abstract

Turf grasses entering the Nordic winter must be healthy and have sufficient reserves. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of autumn mowing height and late autumn fertilization (LAF) on golf greens. Eighteen experiments were carried out on golf courses in Finland (3), Sweden (3) and Norway (7), nine in 2008/2010 and nine in 2009/2010. Starting in late August or early September, the greens were cut for about one month at 100% or 150% of the height practiced during summer. Within each mowing height, 2 g N/m² was applied in a complete, mineral fertilizer when the turf had stopped growing. Unfertilized control plots were established using tarpaulin covers, three within each mowing height. The grass species were creeping bent grass (Agrostis stolonifera L.: 6 expt.), red fescue (Festuca rubra: 4 expt.), velvet bent grass (Agrostis canina: 3 expt.), and annual meadow grass (Poa annua: 5 expt). Overall winter damage, turf coverage and overall turf impression were assessed in spring. The results showed different responses among species: (1) Red fescue-dominated greens had significantly better turf grass coverage and overall impression after LAF. Higher mowing tended to improve spring performance. (2) LAF improved coverage and overall impression, but did not reduce winter damage or winter diseases on creeping bent grass greens. There was no effect of mowing height. (3) Velvet bent grass greens showed no significant effect of either mowing height or LAF. On annual meadow grass greens higher mowing improved spring performance more than LAF.

Since there were no negative effects of LAF, we conclude that LAF is beneficial for golf greens under Nordic conditions. The effect of higher mowing in autumn differed among species, but can be recommended for annual meadow grass and red fescue. Further research is needed to find optimal time and fertilizer rate.

Keywords:

• Agrostis
• autumn
• Festuca
• nitrogen
• turf
• Poa
• snow mould

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Scandinavian Turfgrass and Environment Research Foundation for funding this project and the contributing golf clubs and greenkeepers for their support.