Bentgrass and Poa annua ecology

The February 2026 issue of the NZSTI's Turf Digital magazine has an interesting article about browntop bentgrass (or colonial bentgrass, as the species is called in the USA) and Poa annua. Howard and Ormsby describe the conditions that favor browntop over Poa annua: lower pH, drier soils, and lower soil nutrient content. To favor Poa, do the opposite. Increase pH, provide more water, and supply more nutrients.

Browntop may do even better than creeping bentgrass at low pH, in dry…