The aim of the Barenbrug golf greens trials is to assess how both traditional and innovative mixtures and monocultures perform under two separate maintenance input regimes; a "standard" input and a "relaxed" input.
Two trials with eight mixtures and four monocultures were sown on a sand-dominated rootzone at the STRI in 2006. The differential regimes will include mowing heights, nutrient inputs, chemical applications and mechanical maintenance, including thatch control. Assessments during the establishment phase included disease incidence and turf quality. Thatch production, wear tolerance and playing performance assessment will begin once the trial "opens for play" in spring 2008.