Determining optimal nitrogen fertility rates for reduced-input fine fescue putting greens

Abstract

The use of nitrogen fertilizers on golf courses is scrutinized worldwide. Identifying alternatives to creeping bentgrass Agrostis stolonifera L for putting greens may help decrease nitrogen use while maintaining turfgrass quality. Fine fescue turfgrasses are known for lower nitrogen requirements and reduced input management. Fine fescues are used for putting greens in northern Europe, Ireland, the UK, and other European countries, but have received limited attention in the U.S. Our objective was to determine the optimum annual nitrogen fertilizer rate for maintaining a reduced input fine fescue putting green in Minnesota.