Replacing Common Bermudagrass Fairways

[Dunlop_White]

I know a course that rounded-up their common bermudagrass, even twice, for a total kill and replaced it with TifSport only to have their common re-emerge prevalently in patches three years hence. Other courses which have implemented TifSport are having similar problems. Some other courses which have implemented 419 don't seem to be as affected.

In your experience, which is more important....the kill or the dominant traits of the turf replacement? In other words, would the results likely have been different, if a time-tested turf, such as 419, was used? Or would the results be different if more emphasis were placed upon the kill -- preparing and purifying the soil?

Thanks for your input!

[Don_Mahaffey]

Dunlop,
I think the kill is more important. I doubt it makes any difference if tifsport, 419, or 328 is used if the common isn't taken out. Although, on second thought, 419 is the more aggressive of the three varieties I mentioned and it may out compete the common better then the other two. I do know that it not unusual to make three apps of round-up to clean out the common. And its not unusual to spot spray out common later on in the conversion.

[Lou_Duran]

Great Southwest in the Dallas/Fort Worth area treated their mixed bermuda fairways with chemicals, tilled the ground, and sprigged with 419.  It came in very nicely and I've seen no signs of the Common coming back.  The type of grass may be the key as I doubt that GSW would have spent the money on heavy doses of chemicals.

I've heard other complaints from the OK area that some of the hybrids, and I believe that TifSport was one of them, did not do well and were overcomed by the Common and the first hybrid (can't remember the number).  Apparently 419 does not do well up there (not as resilient to cold, I think).  

[Dunlop_White]

Don,

Just confirmed that 419 out-competes common, while TifSport doesn't. Even so, someone suggested that using Basamid as a part of the preparation process would satisfy the kill.

Any thoughts?

[Don_Mahaffey]

Dunlop,
I've used basamid to renovate greens, but never fwys. On the greens we applied it, watered it in and covered with black plastic for a couple of days. I believe the label says you can just water in for a good kill but the soil temps have to be above 55-60f and the soil has to be loose. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work great. One reason it's not used for fwys is it will kill trees.  

[Dunlop_White]

perfect

[David Druzisky]

Having replaced common bermuda several times I have tried to narrow down the variables that can have bearing on the level of success experienced.  I can safely say that with the kill of the common one of the most important factors is timing.  Consider the time of year the plant is taking up and storing what it needs (later summer) vs. when it is using those stored nutrients (spring-early summer).  The more the grass pulls in the round-up the better.  If we know we are going to do a turf conversion the next summer we apply the round-up at the end of the preceeding summer (if you are going to overseed anyway).

At Paradise Valley Country Club we renovated in 95 and have had 99% success since with some common showing up in the transition months but it is dealt with then.  After two applications we tilled and re-floated those areas.

In that project we also got rid of most of the dead vegetative debris with an acid treatment to burn it down.  Doesn't help with thatch though since as soon as it hits soil it stops working effectively so you could scarify and rip it up a bit first to bring it up.  Can be smelly and be careful with residents around.

Most of the efforts I have been involved with where sodded which helps with the competition issue.  I have not had enough exposure to the use of tifsport in this.  419

Yes you need to be careful with trees especially with Basamid.  In all cases if you are doing just fairways with green and tee surrounds etc then consider root pruning those areas.  Also look into Metam sodium - same principal but from the agriculture side of things.  I think used for crop field sterilization- strawberries - and can be less expensive though harder to deal with.  I do not know what kind of laws or regs might effect this in each area?

[Forrest Richardson]

The most pressing question is "Why replace the common?" In transition zones, common Bermudagrass is one of the best varieties because it can be overseeded easier — and better. While there are vanity reasons for hybrid varieties, the less expensive route is to simply manage the common.

The same money spent managing common to a great playing surface will go much further than the cost to replace with hybrid..and the hassle of overseeding transition on the stubborn hybrids. This is true IF your predonimant playing season is winter. If not, a hybrid may be the best answer for your year-round warm season grass.

I agree with Mr. D. on his points about logistics and the science.