The analytic approach to Bent seed selection

By Alistair August 12, 2024 08:50

As the push for sustainable and high-performance golf greens intensifies, the use of Browntop Bentgrass mixtures has proven to be an ideal solution for many conducting autumn renovations. Stuart Yarwood, Regional Technical Manager for DLF, is turning to data to explore why mixtures such as Johnsons J All Bent are topping the charts for sustainability and superior performance.

With their high shoot density, superior fineness of leaf and high visual merit, Browntop Bent offer numerous benefits over the modern trend for Creeping Bent varieties. Delivering superior greens performance and recovery, exceptional disease resistance and excellent value for money due to their low sowing rates and high seed counts per gram it is no surprise that breeders globally are searching for the very best performers in the market.

DLF have long incorporated top-rated cultivars such as Arrowtown, Manor and Cleek into the 100% Browntop Bent mixtures offered across their Johnsons Sports Seed range – specifically opting for the finest Browntop Bent varieties known for their breeding quality, resilience and sustainability.

Browntop Bentgrass consistently outperforms Creeping Bentgrass cultivars in the UK climate, due to its superior winter tolerance to wear and its lower light requirements. These strong fine-leaved, low-nutrient and drought tolerant grasses ensure that your greens roll sustainably true and remain playable throughout the year, even under the reduced sunlight of autumn and winter.

When it comes to disease resistance, Browntop Bentgrass mixtures offer strong resistance to common turf diseases such as Microdochium Nivale and Dollar Spot, which are prevalent in Poa Annua dominated greens. This robust disease resistance reduces chemical inputs, promoting a lower nutrient, sustainable approach to turf management.

Additionally, with a seed count of approximately 10,000 seeds per gram and low sowing rates of 5-10g per/m², Browntop Bentgrass provides exceptional value for money in the objective of economically maintaining high-quality greens.

Autumn is the optimal time for overseeding with Browntop Bentgrass mixtures as the soil temperatures are warmer, creating conducive conditions for successful establishment. Incorporated as part of autumn renovations alongside deep verti-draining to encourage a free draining profile and scarification/hollow-coring for essential organic matter removal, Browntop Bent should be ideally sown into greens with 5-8% organic matter content. The result will be greens with increased recovery and improved playing surface quality.

A light topdressing to protect the seeds and restore playing surfaces, along with the use of modern growth regulators to help suppress competition from existing grasses, will also give new seedlings a helping hand to establish. During this period of establishment, heights of cut can be increased, and surface disturbance relaxed, to protect young seedlings. Applications of liquid seaweed and bio-stimulants can also be considered to help promote seed establishment rather than force existing sward growth – thereby reducing Poa Annua competition. Once established, Bentgrass performs best cut at heights of 3-5mm.

Johnsons J All Bent, a100% Browntop Bentgrass mixture, is the ideal choice with its superior winter wear tolerance, low nutrient and light requirements and strong disease resistance over Poa Annua making it a reliable and cost-effective solution for greenkeepers looking at autumn renovation plans.

The 2024 formulation of J All Bent blends 50% Arrowtown, 30% Manor and 20% Cleek to deliver a sward with high density and visual quality, with tolerance of close cutting and high wear. With the benefits of this mixture, you can ensure your golf greens remain healthy and sustainable with a superior true roll, all year round.