Seed morphology, germination, and seedling vigor characteristics of fine fescue taxa and other cool‐season turfgrass species

Fine fescue taxa differ in their field establishment rate but it is unclear if this due to differences germination or seedling growth rate. Research at Purdue University quantified seed morphology, vigor, and vigor among 30 cultivars of fine (FF) (Festuca spp.). Strong creeping red (STCRF) rubra ssp. rubra), slender (SLCRF) (F. littoralis), Chewings commutata), hard brevipila), sheep ovina) were compared with tall (Schedonorus arundinaceus), Kentucky bluegrasses (Poa pratensis), and, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Seed morphological characteristics differed FF species; however, there was no strong relationship between vigor. Estimated number days until 50% mean time the varied, consistently having slowest germinating STCRF generally fastest. Species fastest ranked as follows: > ≥ SLCRF bluegrass. Seedling measurements indicated three F. (STCRF, SLCRF, fescue) exhibited faster greater shoot mass than fescue. Results indicate that past observations reduced rates primarily slow not speed.