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Field studies were conducted in consecutive years to evaluate the influence of seeding month and seed soaking on buffalograss [Buchloë ductyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] establishment, as measured by percentage of coverage and seedling emergence. In 1991, plots where `Sharp's Improved' buffalograss burrs were seeded in May, June, or July exhibited complete coverage 7 weeks after seeding (WAS). Between Apr. and Sept. 1992, mean high and low temperatures were ≈ 3C cooler than in 1991, and seeding in June or July resulted in >95% coverage 9 WAS. In the same year, seeding in April or May required 12 to 13 weeks for complete coverage. Buffalograss seeded in August exhibited <25% coverage by the end of the first growing season. Soaking buffalograss burrs in water before seeding resulted in the emergence of >30% more seedlings 2 WAS compared with nonsoaked burrs and increased coverage by up to 18% on selected rating dates 3 to 13 WAS. However, complete coverage occurred only ≈ week sooner where soaked vs. nonsoaked burrs were planted.
Golf ball roll is measured with a United States Golf Association (USGA) Stimpmeter. Three Stimpmeters were fabricated identically to the USGA Stimpmeter, except for the location of the ball release notch. The modified Stimpmeters had ball release notches located at 57, 38, and 19 cm, rather than at 76 cm from the beveled end. The modified Stimpmeters were tested on a creeping bentgrass green located at Mead, Neb., at three mowing heights (4.8, 4.0, and 3.2 mm). The Stimpmeters were effective in measuring golf ball roll distance and provided reasonable and consistent estimates of friction. Modified Stimpmeters are relatively inexpensive to construct and can be used on small turfgrass research plots.