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1997 NTEP Bermudagrass Variety Evaluation

Zac Reicher and Glenn Hardebeck, Department of Agronomy

Bill Lampkins, MacDonald Golf Course, Evansville

Objective

The objective of this study is to determine the survivability and performance of seeded and vegetatively established bermudagrass in Evansville, IN.

Rationale

With genetically improved cultivars, bermudagrass is being used or considered for golf course fairways and athletic fields in southern IN. There has been tremendous genetic improvement in winter survivability and leaf texture for bermudagrass and so this species may now be better adapted to Southern IN than it has been in the past. Additionally, seeded varieties are now available which will decrease the cost of establishing bermudagrass. However, we are unsure of the long term winter survival of bermudagrass on the northern edge of the transition zone.

How It Was Done

The study was located on the Wessman Par-3 Course in Evansville IN. A starter fertilizer (8-22-16) was applied prior to seeding at 1.5 lbs P₂O₅/1000 ft². On 25 Jun 1997, two separate but adjacent studies for seeded types and vegetative types were established. Plot size for each study was 6 ft X 6 ft with 1.5 ft borders and each study contained 3 replications. Nineteen Bermudagrass cultivars were seeded with a shaker jar at 0.85 lbs/1000 ft² and then "dimpled in" with tires of a sand rake. Eleven bermudagrass cultivars were plugged with 1.5 in X 1.5 in plugs on 12 inch centers. Meyer zoysia was also included for comparison and plugs were 1/4 the size of a standard cup cutter spaced on 16 in centers. The seeded varieties were covered with seed cloth to encourage germination, and then the entire area was watered 2 to 3 times daily to encourage germination and establishment. The area was mowed at 1 inch, irrigated to prevent moisture stress, and received 1.0 lb N/1000 ft² with a 25-4-12 fertilizer on 10 July and 5 Aug. Future maintenance will include mowing at 1 inch once or twice per week, irrigation to prevent dormancy, and 0.5-0.75 lb N/1000 ft²/growing month. This study will continue until through the 2001 growing season.

Results to Date

Seeded Cultivars

• The seeded varieties germinated within 6 days and the seed cover was removed 12 days after seeding. By 5 Aug, all of the seeded varieties reached 95% or better cover and there was no difference among the varieties for percent cover (Table 3).
• There was no significant differences in visual quality among the varieties when rated 4 Aug, but OKS-95-1 and Savannah had the highest quality on 5 Sep.
• By 8 Oct, all varieties were losing color but there were no differences in color ratings.

Vegetative Cultivars

• Cardinal, OKC 18-4, and Tifgreen were the quickest to establish, but all bermudagrass cultivars were fully establsihed by 8 Oct. As expected, the Meyer zoysia was slow to establish and spread. There were no significant differences in quality among the cultivars when rated 4 Aug, but OKS-95-1 and Savannah had the highest quality on 5 Sep (Table 4).
• By 8 Oct, all cultivars were losing color but there were no differences in color ratings.

We expect many of the cultivars will not survive through the next few winters and thus it is far too early to draw any definite conclusions from this study.

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Send corrections, suggestions, and comments to biehlj@purdue.edu