Barenbrug Golf Green Trials

In July 2006, Barenbrug initiated a four-year trial with STRI at Bingley to determine which grass species, or combination of species, were most suitable for use on golf greens in the UK. The trial also assessed the effect of maintenance regimes on the species in question. The success of this trial also led to the sowing of a similar trial at Druids Glen Golf Club in September 2009 to answer the same questions in Ireland. Both trials involved sowing out a broad range of golf green seed mixtures and monocultures on a sand-dominant root zone and assessing their performance after an establishment period. In the Bingley trial, all seed treatments were maintained under two separate regimes; “standard input” maintenance and “low input” maintenance and subjected to golf wear simulation after establishment. At Druids Glen, the plots were maintained under a standard maintenance programme only and wear simulation was not applied. Both trials were independently assessed by STRI by means of a range of measurements across a spectrum of traits. Details of the mixtures and monocultures and assessments in each trial can be seen in Table 2. This booklet summarises the main findings of each trial, and offers some conclusions to answer the question, “Which grass species are most suitable for golf greens in the UK and Ireland?” Druids Glen Standard Maintenance Sowing Date September 2009 Mowing Frequency As necessary Mowing Height 31.mm Nutrition/Irrigation/Chemical As necessary Mechanical Control Verti-cut Treatments 9 seed treatments, 3 replications Wear applied None Bingley Standard Maintenance Low Input Maintenance Sowing Date 11 July 2006 Mowing Frequency 3 x per week 3 x per week growing season Mowing Height 4mm gowing/6mm winter 6mm growing/7mm winter N input Ha/annum 120kg 40kg (additional if required) Irrigation ET replacement ET replacement Chemicals As necessary Mechanical Control Verti-cut Brush Overseeded September 2006 & May 2007 September 2006 & May 2007 Treatments 12 seed mixtures, 3 replications, randomised block design Wear applied 22 July 2008 - conclusion of trials Table 1: Trial setup and conditions at Bingley and Druids Glen. Introduction and Methods 2 Golf Greens