Colonial Bentgrass Can Lower Fairway Inputs

Higher energy prices have increased the costs of almost everything, including grass seed, fertilizer and pesticides. As the costs of energy rise, many are looking for ways to cut costs. Additionally, more emphasis is being placed on conserving natural resources and reducing inputs. With all of that in mind, colonial bentgrass on your fairways might make sense for some golf courses.

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) is currently the most widely used bentgrass for golf courses. Its prostrate growth habit and ability to produce vigorous spreading stolons allow it to tolerate low cutting heights and quickly recover from damage. This makes creeping bentgrass a good choice for golf course putting greens in the cool, temperate climates and some cases in warm climates. However, creeping bentgrass as a species is very susceptible to dollar spot disease (caused by Sclerotinia homoeocapa F.T. Bennet) and typically requires regular fungicide applications and rigorous cultural practices for acceptable quality.

Dollar spot disease is probably the most common disease on golf course turf in the Northeast. Although breeders have developed creeping bentgrass cultivars with improved resistance, they still can require several fungicide applications per year. Colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris) generally has better tolerance of dollar spot disease than creeping bentgrass (Photo 1).

Dollar spot disease resistance of colonial bentgrass (left) compared to creeping bentgrass (right).

Colonial bentgrass, also known as brown top, has traditionally been used on lawns and golf courses in areas of Northern Europe and New Zealand that have mild (cool and humid) summers. Compared to creeping bentgrass, colonial bentgrass has a more upright growth habit and spreads by short rhizomes instead of stolons. In addition to differences in growth habit, colonial bentgrass also differs in genetic color.

Quick Tip

Colonial bentgrass ranges from light to medium green while creeping bentgrasses typically range from medium green to a dark blue-green color (Photo 2). Additionally, colonial bentgrass typically retains more green color during winter compared to creeping bentgrass. Colonial bentgrass also does not accumulate thatch as aggressively as creeping bentgrass cultivars with high shoot density. High-density creeping bentgrasses can require adjustments in management practices, including increased topdressing and cultivation (aeration, verticutting and grooming) to manage thatch development. Colonial bentgrasses typically do not require aggressive cultural management. Additionally, it has been documented that colonial bentgrass exhibits faster recovery from drought stress compared to creeping bentgrass (DaCosta and Huang, 2007; DaCosta and Huang, 2006). The drought recovery, reduced maintenance requirements and increased dollar spot resistance of colonial bentgrass make it an interesting choice for golf course fairways during a time when environmental conservation, using lower inputs and energy conservation are on the minds of many people.

Color differences of colonial bentgrass compared to creeping bentgrass. Colonial bentgrass plots have a bright, medium-green color compared to the dark, blue-green color of creeping bentgrass plots.

1 2 3 

• Digital Golfdom
• Podcasts
• Online Exclusives
• Industry News
• The Links
• Golfdom Insider
• Polls
• Turfgrass Trends
• Special Reports
• The Golfdom Report
• Archives