Effect of clipping disposal, fertilizer rate and mowing frequency on cool-season turfgrass growth to determine impacts on waste disposal

Abstract

Two studies were established to determine the slow growth and low maintenance potential of select turfgrasses and maintenance regimes. One study focused on the effects of two different clipping disposal and fertilizer rate on five cool-season turfgrass species, and the other study examined the effects of mowing frequency on seven commercially available turfgrass mixtures. The clipping disposal and fertilizer rate study consisted of a two-year field study which examined the effects of turfgrass mixture composition (ten mixtures composed of combinations of Kentucky bluegrass, Canada bluegrass, creeping red fescue, sheeps fescue and perennial ryegrass); clipping disposal (clippings left on plots (grasscycling) and clippings removed); and fertilizer rates (0.5 and 1 lb. of N/1000 ft$\sp2$/twice a year) on the clipping yield, height, colour, percent nitrogen in tissue, and composition of these turfgrasses. The mowing frequency study examined the effects of turfgrass mixture composition (seven commercially available mixtures), mowing frequency (once a week, and biweekly) on clipping yield, height and colour of the select turfgrasses. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)