Tennessee Turfgrass – Tom Samples, Ph.D. and John Sorochan, Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Department of Plant Sciences
There are more than one-hundred species of fescues worldwide. Some are annuals while others are perennials. Annual species are usually considered weeds. Six perennial fescues are managed either alone or in turf mixtures in the U. S. Presently, tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), classified as a coarse fescue, is the primary cool-season species used as turf in Tennessee. Strong (Festuca rubra L. rubra) and slender creeping red (Festuca rubra L. ssp. trichophylla, Festuca rubra var. littoralis Vasey), chewings (Festuca rubra L. ssp. falax Thuill., Festuca rubra L. var. commutata Gaud.), hard (Festuca brevipila R. Tracey) and sheep (Festuca ovina L.) fescues are collectively referred to as fineleaf or fine fescues due to their narrow leaves. Because they generally perform better than tall fescue in low light, the fine fescues are commonly recommended for use as cool-season turfs in medium to moderate shade in northwest, north central and upper east Tennessee. A lack of heat tolerance limits the use of these species in shade in other areas of the state in which summer temperatures are much higher. They are also valued for their fibrous root systems when used as components of ‘meadow mixes’ along with legumes, wildflowers and/or native plants. Left unmowed, fine fescues often reach a height of 6–12 or more inches. Seeds of many improved, turf-type coarse and fine fescues contain beneficial fungi, or endophytes, that live between cells inside plants. Endophytes may improve the plants’ ability to withstand heat stress and enhance disease resistance (for example, dollar spot (Lanzia and Moellerodiscus spp.) in fine fescues). They also produce compounds capable of reducing the feeding activity of certain insect pests. Endophytes are transmitted from generation to generation in seed, and do not move from one plant to another by way of pollen.
Tall Fescue
Tall fescue is adapted throughout much of the continental U.S. except in non-irrigated arid regions, the Southern Coastal Plain and northern-most zones in northern tier states where plants are routinely severely damaged or killed by extreme low temperatures. Although the date at which tall fescue, a native of Europe and North Africa, was first introduced into the U.S. is unknown, the species was evaluated in several North American forage trials in the late 1800’s. ‘KY-31’, a cultivar found growing in a pasture on the farm of W.M. Suiter in the mountains of eastern KY and known to have been there before 1890, is still marketed for use as forage, roadside groundcover and utility and residential turfs. After lengthy testing begun by Dr. E. N. Fergus of the University of Kentucky who first visited the pasture in 1931, KY-31 was released into the marketplace in the early 1940’s.
Establishment and Management
The germination and purity of tall fescue seed should be at least 85 and 95 percent, respectively. Depending on cultivar and production year, there are usually about 230,000 or more tall fescue seeds per pound. The recommended seeding rate of tall fescue ranges from 5–8 pounds per 1,000 square feet. The lower rate is recommended when seed is ‘fresh’, and the quality and germination percentages are high, for example >90 and >95, respectively. Depending on soil moisture and temperature, tall fescue seeds may require from seven to 14 or more days to germinate. Turf-type tall fescue turfs generally perform well at a cutting height from 2–3 inches, while the recommended cutting height of KY-31 is usually slightly higher (for example, 2½–3½ inches). Lower cutting heights are more likely to allow weed infestations than taller cutting heights. The species often requires a medium level of N compared to other cool-season turfgrasses. For example, depending on cultivar and the level of care,