Non-Chemical Control of Annual Bluegrass ( Poa annua ) in Bermudagrass ( Cynodon spp.) via Fraise Mowing: Efficacy and Barriers to Adoption

Devon E. Carroll, James T. Brosnan, J. Bryan Unruh, Carrie A. Stephens, Chase McKeithen and Pablo A. Boeri
Additional contact information
Devon E. Carroll: Department of Plant Sciences, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
James T. Brosnan: Department of Plant Sciences, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
J. Bryan Unruh: West Florida Research and Education Center, The University of Florida, Jay, FL 32565, USA
Carrie A. Stephens: Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
Chase McKeithen: West Florida Research and Education Center, The University of Florida, Jay, FL 32565, USA
Pablo A. Boeri: West Florida Research and Education Center, The University of Florida, Jay, FL 32565, USA

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 15, 1-14

Abstract: Fraise mowing is a maintenance practice that may serve as a non-chemical means of controlling the problematic weed annual bluegrass ( Poa annua L.) in bermudagrass ( Cynodon spp.) given reports of efficacy on other turfgrass species. However, an understanding of practitioner decision-making in implementing fraise mowing as a weed-control measure remains unknown. A field study was conducted in Knoxville, TN and repeated in space in Jay, FL during summer 2019 to assess bermudagrass regrowth and subsequent annual bluegrass control, following fraise mowing at depths of 1.5 and 3.0 cm compared to a non-treated check (0 cm). Bermudagrass recovered more quickly at the 1.5 cm depth than the 3.0 cm depth and was the swiftest in Florida. Fraise mowing at either depth resulted in a 41–97% reduction in annual bluegrass populations. A qualitative study was conducted in spring 2021, which engaged eight turfgrass managers from Tennessee and Florida via individual interviews in order to understand barriers and challenges to fraise mowing application. Turfgrass managers had positive views of fraise mowing but described challenges in implementation for weed control including cost, labor, area closure, and debris removal.

Keywords: turfgrass; herbicide resistance; annual bluegrass; fraise mow; non-chemical control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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