Page 32 - Transitioning Turfgrass

TRANSITIONING TURFGRASS

the second year of the study, and they appeared
to be related more to the effect of mowing than
to the supplying of seed, while in Site 2 the in-
crease of species richness within the year was due
to management practice A. Furthermore, a single
cut was not able to limit the dominance of E. rep-
ens or F. rubra, regardless of the addition of exter-
nal seed. These findings agree with other studies
that documented the role of mowing in increasing
Photo 2 Tragopogon porrifolius in a naturalized rough. plant species population of natural roughs and
roadsides (Parr and Way, 1988; Voigt, 1996).
The results of our study suggest that cultural prac-
lon (L.) Pers. (Table 1, page 26) that were included tices are essential to increase plant biodiversity on
in the original seed mixtures used for sowing the rough areas in golf courses. The effectiveness of
roughs. The high shoot density typical of turf-type these practices depends on the dominant plant
cultivars together with good soil fertility may lead species initially present. Moreover, the supply of
to their dominance in the sward. As reported by external seed may have an additional positive
other authors, the presence of simplified habitats effect, but its efficacy seems to be related to the
with one or few species dominating suggests that competitive ability of existing species.
mowing is necessary to increase the species rich-
ness, promotes the complexity of botanical com-
position, and limits the aggressiveness of grasses. References
Results of the ANOVA for the plot trial indicate
that a number of species was significantly affected Brame R.A., 2012. Tall grass rough… or natural rough? USGA.
by year and management practice at Site 1. While http://www.usga.org/course-care/2012/06/ tall-grass-
roughor-natural-rough-21474847128.html. Accessed 30.08.16
for Site 2, we found a significant interaction be-
tween management practice and year on species Dickinson N.M., Polwart A., 1982. The effect of mowing re-
richness. In Site 1, plots receiving management gime on an amenity grassland ecosystem: Above- and be-
low-ground components. J. Appl. Ecol. 19:569–577.
practices A and B displayed a higher number of
species than those receiving management practice Dobbs E.K., 2013. Enhancing beneficial insect biodiversity
and biological control in turf: mowing height, naturalized
C (9.6, 10.0, and 6.1, respectively); moreover, the roughs, and operation pollinator. M.S. thesis, University of
highest species numbers occurred in the last year Kentucky, Lexington.
of investigation (7.7 species in 2013, 7.9 in 2014, Gross P., Eckenrode T., 2012. Turf reduction template: A
and 10.1 in 2015) (data not shown). In Site 2, plots guideline for reducing turf acreage while maintaining golf
receiving management practice A had the highest course quality. USGA. Green Section Record 50:1–5.
number of species in 2014 and 2015 (Fig. 1, page Parr T.W., Way J.M., 1988. Management of roadside
27). No significant differences were observed be- vegetation: the long-term effects of cutting. J. Appl. Ecol.
tween plots receiving management practice B and 25:1073–1087.
control plots, with the exception of 2014. For both Pornaro C., Macolino S., De Luca A., Sallenave R.,
sites, the ANOVA revealed that the percentage of Leinauer B., 2018. Plant species diversity of naturalized roughs
dominant species was affected by year. In Site 1, as affected by conversion strategies. Agon. J. 110: 1709-1717.
the lowest percentage of E. repens was observed Voigt T., 1996. Native grasses flourish on Midwestern golf
in 2013, while the highest occurred in 2014 (Fig. courses. Golf Course Manag. 64(11):58–62.
2, page 27). In Site 2, the percentage of F. rubra Williams E.D., 1984. Changes during 3 years in the size and
steadily increased over time. composition of the seed bank beneath a long-term pasture as
In Site 1, the impacts of the management practic- influenced by defoliation and fertilizer regime. J. Appl. Ecol.
21:603–615.
es in botanical composition were only observed in

28