1993 Kentucky Bluegrass Variety Test Report

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is the third most prominent cool-season grass used in Kentucky for, forage, behind tall fescue and orchardgrass. As with all cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass does best in cooler weather, becoming dormant in hot, dry conditions. It is a high quality, long-lived, rhizomatous grass that is used for both turf and forage. Compared to other cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass is slower to germinate (2-3 weeks) and generally is lower in seedling vigor and herbage yield. Most recent varieties of Kentucky bluegrass have been developed for turf use; therefore, primary emphasis has been placed on improving turf quality factors such as color and texture. Several of these varieties have also been\u27 used on horse farms because it is a low growing species that is tolerant of close grazing by horses. It is highly acceptable to horses and has no known toxicities. In horse pastures, Kentucky bluegrass grows well with white clover, a low growing, grazing tolerant legume, that is also a favorite of horse pasture managers. While it is more suited for use by grazing animals Kentucky bluegrass may be harvested as hay. Management is similar to that for other cool season grasses