| Exceeding normal seeding rates when establishing turf cover in worn areas of cool-season athletic fields is a common practice. Maximum sowing rates during traffic have not been determined for annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). Our objective was to determine the seeding rate ceiling and seeding schedule that maximizes turf cover when sowing annual ryegrass during traffic. Improved varieties of annual ryegrass are expanding its potential applications. One such variety, 'Panterra' annual ryegrass was established at the Horticulture Research Farm in Ames, Iowa USA, on 4 Sept 2006 and 3 Sept 2007 into two separate study areas, bare soil and killed turf (existing biomass). Treatments consisted of eight seeding rates 25, 50, 75, 150, 225, 300, 450, and 750 g m-2; and two seeding schedules (a single seeding vs. six multiple seeding events one week apart). Traffic consisted of 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 passes wk-1 with a GA-SCW simulator with cleated rollers and a differential slip action. The seeding rate ceiling for 'Panterra' annual ryegrass was 450 g m-2 or 18 times the normal seeding rate of 25 g m-2. Sowing annual ryegrass in early Sept. produced more turf cover than dividing the same amount of total seed into multiple applications throughout the traffic season. Applying higher than normal seeding rates during traffic seems appropriate when sports turf managers are trying to improve turf cover. |
