Evaluation of fine fescue taxa for sod production: Tensile strength, harvest timing, and comparisons to conventional cool‐season species

Sod is an important specialty crop used to establish turfgrass and to control soil erosion in new construction and roadsides. Most sod farms in the northern U.S. grow Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.), but recent research indicates potential for growing various low‐input grasses, such as fine fescue taxa ( Festuca L. spp.). A 2‐year field study was conducted in West Lafayette, IN, to assess the sod tensile strength of cool‐season grass at 9, 11, and 13 months after planting (MAP). Strong creeping red fescue ( F . rubra ssp. rubra Gaudin), slender creeping red fescue [ F . rubra ssp. littoralis (G. Mey.) Auquier], and Chewings fescue ( F . rubra ssp. commutata Gaudin) had higher sod strength than hard fescue ( F . brevipila Tracey) or sheep fescue ( F . ovina L.). The top‐performing fine fescue taxa had better or similar sod tensile strength compared with Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue ( F. arundinacea Schreb.). Similar trends were evident with sod handling ratings. Within species, cultivars varied little in sod handling and strength; interspecific differences dominated. Sod handling and sod strength ratings at 9 MAP were comparable to or greater than at 11 and 13 MAP, indicating that fine fescue sod with adequate strength can be produced by 9 MAP or earlier, and a spring harvest prior to summer was optimal. Strong creeping red fescue, slender creeping red fescue, and Chewings fescue may provide a cost‐effective and sustainable alternative for sod production due to their short production cycle timeline and reduced input requirements.