Impact of Overseeding Bermudagrass with Various Amounts of Perennial Ryegrass for Winter Putting Turf

Research was conducted to determine the influence of the rate of seeding perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) over bermudagrass [ Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy] on both the establishment of the ryegrass and the quality of bermudagrass golf greens. Increasing seeding rate from 90 to 180 g·m –2 resulted in more rapid establishment and a linear increase in turf quality. Turf density, as measured by leaf number, displayed linear and quadratic responses to seeding rates, with higher rates producing the greatest leaf numbers. Leaf width declined linearly with seeding rate, suggesting higher putting quality, as did tillers per plant. Spring transition to bermudagrass was slowed at high (150–180 g·m –2 ) seeding rates, with significantly more ryegrass present in late May. Emergence and growth of bermudagrass were suppressed longer at the higher overseeding rates. We conclude that the choice of seeding rate for ryegrass is a compromise between rapid development of, and maintenance of, quality turf vs. early smooth transition to bermudagrass in the spring.