The
difference between cool-season and warm-season turfgrasses comes down to basic
plant physiology. More specifically, it is how the plant performs
photosynthesis, or the conversion of carbon dioxide and light into oxygen and
carbohydrates, the latter which serves as food energy for the plant.
Cool-season turfgrasses use the C3 photosynthetic pathway and
respond differently to temperature extremes and environmental stresses than
warm-season plants that use the C4 pathway. If you’ve ever heard a
plant referenced as either a C3 or C4 plant, now you know
why.
Practically
speaking, and as their names suggest, every turfgrass species has a specific
temperature range in which it maintains growth. Cool-season turfgrasses grow best
in cooler climates or during cool, moist periods of the year when soil
temperatures are between 60 and 75°F. Bentgrasses,
bluegrasses, fescues and perennial ryegrass are typical cool-season turfgrass
species used for fairways in the U.S. In contrast, warm-season
turfgrasses perform optimally in warmer climates or during warmer parts of the
year when temperatures are between 80 and 95°F.
Popular warm-season turfgrasses include zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, buffalograss
and seashore paspalum.
Obviously
these are general temperature ranges and every turfgrass species is best
adapted to particular climatic zones or regions. Cool-season turfgrasses lack
the heat tolerance to be extensively used throughout the southern U.S. and poor
cold tolerance limits the use of warm-season species in the north. The regions
of the U.S.
where both cool-season and warm-season turgrasses are utilized are often collectively
referred to as the transition zone. Not surprisingly, selecting a fairway
turfgrass for use in the transition zone can be a difficult decision.
When
it comes to selecting the best turfgrass for fairways, understanding the basic
difference between cool-season turfgrasses and warm-season species is important,
but there are many factors that must be considered. For more information on fairway
turfgrass options, please visit Fairway Grass Options for
the Transition Zone and Selecting the Right Grass.