Better Grasses for Roadsides

Grasses for roadsides generally evolved from agricultural and soil conservation practices, The growing importance of maintenance costs and environmental aesthetics dictate the need to develop better grasses. Over a thousand varieties or strains, including 36 different species of grass, plus mixtures, were established in plots along eight roadsides throughout New Jersey and three Experiment Station sites over five years. Coarse grasses, including Kentucky 31 tall fescue and redtop consistently produced conspicuous persistent seedheads which detract from the appearance of the grassy landscape. Finer turfgrasses , including certain varieties of Kentucky bluegrasses and four fine fescues established readily and produced fewer, and less objectionable, seedstalks. Perennial ryegrass varieties produced an abundance of foliage and seedstalks initially, crowded associated grasses excessively, and disappeared after two years of low intensity management. Outstanding performance of spreading fine fescues at several locations prompted the development of a new variety, 'Fortress', synthesized from locally collected elite plants. Commercial production of it, and a superior Chewings variety, ' Banner', are anticipated. Such grasses should improve the quality of roadside mixtures, particularly when used with "common-type" varieties of Kentucky bluegrasses such as 'Kenblue'. The importance of seed-free mulch is shown. Better appearance with less mowing can be achieved with mixtures of certain varieties of fine fescues and Kentucky bluegrasses.

• Record URL:
  http://www.nj.gov/transportation/business/research/reports/FHWA-NJ-1975-013-7726.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Rutgers University, New Brunswick

  Department of Soils and Crops
  New Brunswick, NJ  United States  08903

  New Jersey Department of Transportation

  1035 Parkway Avenue
  Trenton, NJ  United States  08625

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Duell, Robert W
  • Schmit, Richard M
• Publication Date: 1975-4-28

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 71p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aesthetics; Costs; Grasses; Landscape maintenance; Mowing; Mulching; Roadside
• Geographic Terms: New Jersey
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01663206
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/NJ-75-013-7726
• Contract Numbers: HPR 7726
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 20 2018 8:51PM