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Turfgrass Identification

Turfgrass Identification. Richard Miller Blackhawk Technical College. Introduction . Approx. 10,000 species worldwide, 190 species in 64 genera in Wisconsin. 5 desirable grasses thrive as aggressive and attractive “ground covers” in this northern cool humid region of the United States

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Turfgrass Identification

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  1. Turfgrass Identification Richard Miller Blackhawk Technical College R. Miller

  2. Introduction • Approx. 10,000 species worldwide, 190 species in 64 genera in Wisconsin. • 5 desirable grasses thrive as aggressive and attractive “ground covers” in this northern cool humid region of the United States • Primary to Understanding/Managing Turf we Must be able to Identify these 5Common GRASSES R. Miller

  3. Frequently Asked Questions • What are our Choices? • What Do We Need to Know to Get Started? • Do we need any equipment? • What is the procedure? R. Miller

  4. What are our choices? • How a Botanist would classify (Taxonomy)… R. Miller

  5. R. Miller

  6. What Do We Need to Get Started? • A Close-up view R. Miller

  7. Do we need any Equipment? A Magnifying Glass Could Be Helpful R. Miller

  8. What is the Procedure? R. Miller

  9. Select a single plant R. Miller

  10. Look for the Identifying Parts R. Miller

  11. Overview Rhizomes Auricles Ligules • There will be differences in how these parts appear or whether they appear or not. Stolons Leaf Tip Vernation Sheath Collar Midrib R. Miller

  12. R. Miller

  13. Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) R. Miller

  14. Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) • Boat Shaped Tip • Folded vernation • Ligule: Short, Membranous (Lacking) • 2 Transparent Lines Along Midrib • Rhizomes • Auricles absent • Collar Broad & Divided R. Miller

  15. Vocabulary • Glossary of terms R. Miller

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  18. Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) R. Miller

  19. Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) • Pointed Tip, shiny backside to Blade • Folded Vernation • Ligule: Short, Membranous • Auricle: Small, Claw-like, or Absent • Broad, Divided Collar • Bunch Type ( no Stolons or Rhizomes) R. Miller

  20. Fine Fescues (creeping red, hard, chewings); Festuca ssp. R. Miller

  21. Fine Fescues (hard,creeping red, chewings); Festuca ssp. • Tip is narrow, blade is fine • Folded Vernation • Ligule: very small membranous • Auricles: absent • No collar • Bunch Type ex. Creeping may have Rhizomes R. Miller

  22. Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) R. Miller

  23. Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) • Broad leaf blade , prominent veins on upper surface • Rolled vernation • Membranous Ligule • Small Auricles • Collar is very broad and conspicuous • Bunch type, may have small rhizomes R. Miller

  24. Bentgrasses (creeping, colonial); Agrostis ssp. R. Miller

  25. Bentgrass (Agrostis ssp.) • Tip pointed, prominent veination • Rolled vernation • Membranous Ligule(.5mm-2mm) • Auricle: absent • Narrow, broad oblique collar on Creeping bent.-none on Colonial • Creeping=stolons • Colonial=bunch, tufted, very short stolons & rhizomes may be present R. Miller

  26. Test Yourself on Pictures! 1 R. Miller

  27. 2 R. Miller

  28. 3 R. Miller

  29. 4 R. Miller

  30. 5 R. Miller

  31. Answers • Perennial Ryegrass • Fine Fescue • Kentucky Bluegrass • Tall Fescue • Creeping Bentgrass R. Miller

  32. Some Useful Shortcuts • Expect fine textures to be either Fescues or Bentgrasses…Fescues are more shade tolerant, Bentgrasses are very aggressive and are not very shade tolerant • The most likely (non-weed) Rhizomatous grass will be Kentucky Bluegrass • Using a process of “likely elimination”- you are possibly going to decide between Tall Fescue and Perennial Rye (both are bunch grasses) when vernation (Per. Rye is folded) and leaf blade (Per. Rye has a shiny backside) are the differences. R. Miller

  33. Summary • We have learned that there are distinct differences in grass plant morphology if we look close enough • Knowing the correct identity of our turfgrasses helps us properly manage our lawns, parks and sportsturf and/or advise our clients • Practice, Practice, Practice…Correct identification requires repetition R. Miller

  34. Where to Get More Information • Blackhawk Technical College- Landscape and Turf Services Program • Books: i.e. Fundamentals of Turfgrass Management by Dr. Nick Christians; Turfgrass Management, latest edit. By A.J. Turgeon; Turfgrass Science and Management by Robert Emmons • Trade Publication articles • Electronic sources: i.e. www.sportsturfmanager.org • University of Wisconsin – Extension Publications R. Miller

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