RESEARCH The transitional plots as part of the ANTEP 5 trial, with half of each plot removed using selective herbicide and the other half being assessed for natural transition
New trial
I
takes root
n ATM Volume 22.5 it was announced that AGCSATech was embarking on a new vegetative couchgrass trial at Sorrento Golf Club on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Since planting in late 2020, the trial site has been progressing well despite what has been a cooler than average summer for Victoria. With much of January up to six degrees below average for Melbourne and December also below average, initial establishment of the couchgrass plots was slow. The bulk of the entries were planted in mid-November with a couple of late arrivals going in just prior to Christmas. All entries have now taken well and are starting to fill in quickly despite the cooler temperatures. Observations so far have highlighted the variation in growth habit between varieties, with some exhibiting strong spreading and stolon development and others a more compact habit. There is some variation in shoot density and leaf texture, showing there are varieties with potential for a wide range of turf applications within the trial. The rate of establishment will continue to be assessed along with presence of insect pests, disease, colour, quality and density. As the trial progresses into the cooler months observations will be made on when specific varieties begin dormancy, colour retention and any winter activity. 50
Senior agronomist Bruce Macphee (CSTM) provides an update on the number of trials currently being overseen by AGCSATech.
As the weather warms in spring, each variety will be assessed for spring green up and wear will begin to be applied to assess wear tolerance and recovery between the various varieties. Towards the end of summer, irrigation will be turned off to assess drought tolerance and then recovery from drought. This trial should provide turf managers with some vital information on how each of these varieties perform within Melbourne’s climate and which variety may be most suited to their particular application. Along with the couchgrasses on trial, which include the varieties Tahoma 31, Santa Ana, TifTuf, Grand Prix, Legend and several new varieties from both Peter McMaugh and Don Loch, nine varieties of zoysia grass have
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.1
been planted in single observation plots at the site. These range from fine-textured zoysia matrellas to medium-textured zoysia japonicas. While not traditionally grown in the cooler regions of Australia, these varieties will be observed to gauge how zoysia performs in the cooler climate of Melbourne. These grasses were kindly supplied by Lawn Solutions and Don Loch. Initial observations have seen the slow development of the finer-textured varieties, which has not been helped by the cooler summer. All entries have started to develop, with some varieties showing strong stolon and rhizome growth. These plots will continue to be observed closely as they fill in prior to the onset of cooler weather.
STA TRANSITIONAL TRIAL The ryegrass trial being conducted on behalf of STA Victoria has concluded, with the results and final report currently being written. The trial ran throughout 2020 with a ryegrass blend having been oversown into a Santa Ana couchgrass base, a similar process which occurs on many sportsfields utilised for both summer and winter sport throughout Victoria. The trial site was then treated with various products available for the selective removal of perennial ryegrass when growing within a couchgrass surface. The timing of the treatments was split into early and late spring