Project Brief
For ASTC to provide independent monthly data collection and reporting to compare 7 different Cynodon spp. (green couch and hybrid) grasses (reportedly) suitable for sports turf.
ASTC assisted (now former) QSAC Ground Manager Matthew Oliver with turfgrass selection and procurement of the grasses for the trial which was established by QSAC Ground Staff in August 2020. Data collection commenced in November 2020, after allowing some time for the grasses to settle and establish, through to November 2022.
Funding to undertake the trial was provide by QSAC for the first 12 months. The trial extension into its second year was jointly funded by the Sports Turf Association QLD (STA QLD) and Sports Turf Association NSW (STA NSW) after the two associations saw the importance in conducting such a study, proving beneficial to the wider turfgrass industry.
The trial area was maintained by the dedicated QSAC Ground Staff under their normal turf maintenance program.
Trial Results
Below is a summary of the collected monthly data showing the performance of the seven (7) turfgrass varieties studied within the replicated trial.
Former QSAC Ground Manager Matthew Oliver also allowed ASTC to upload and display his PowerPoint presentation which he presented at the 2021 Australian Turfgrass Conference on the Gold Coast, QLD. The presentation also includes graphs and data collected between November 2020 and May 2021. Click here or on the image below to open a PDF version of his presentation.
Methodology
- Trial location: Kessels Road, Nathan, Mount Gravatt QLD 4111
- Duration: 2 years
- Turf varieties:
- 'AgriDark' hybrid couch
- 'Legend' green couch
- 'Wintergreen' green couch which is their existing turfgrass variety
- 'Wintergreen' green couch reselected by Peter McMaugh
- 'Santa Ana' hybrid couch
- 'Star Express' green couch
- 'TifTuf' hybrid couch
- Treatments: Part of each plot also underwent ryegrass application and removal.
- Assessment times: Monthly assessments commencing November 2020 to November 2022. Difficulties and delays were experienced during the trial throughout COVID.
- Data collection: Using performance testing tools to measure:
- Turf colour (Turf Colour Meter);
- Subjective turf quality;
- Thatch and rhizome depth;
- Turf/green cover using the Canopeo App;
- Turf recovery of 230x230 mm wedges removed from the rootzone to enable a turf recovery assessment from stolons and rhizomes (undertaken quarterly);
- Rotational traction using the Turf-Tec Shear Strength Tester and studded boot apparatus; and
- Turf rootzone shear assessment.
Funding By
This trial was been made possible by:
