Nitrogen requirements for deficit‐irrigated bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) fairways in South Florida. (11th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schiavon, Marco; Shaddox, Travis W.; Williams, Karen E.; Gallo, Sergio; Boeri, P. Agustin; Unruh, J. Bryan; Kruse, Jason; Kenworthy, Kevin
• Is Part Of: Journal of agronomy and crop science. Volume 209:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2021-10-11
• Subjects: deficit irrigation -- nitrogen fertilisation -- turfgrass -- water management; Agronomy -- Periodicals; Crop science -- Periodicals; 630.5
• DOI: 10.1111/jac.12558
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0931-2250

Abstract

Abstract: Several new bermudagrass cultivars are available and commonly used on golf course fairways. However, little is known about their cultural requirements or how these cultivars perform under lower inputs regimes. A 2‐year study was conducted at University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, to assess performance of four hybrid bermudagrass [ Cynodon dactylon L. Pers. X Cynodon transvaalensis (Burtt‐Davy)] cultivars ('Latitude 36', 'Tifway 419', 'TifGrand' and 'TifTuf'), and 2 common bermudagrass ( Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) cultivars ('Bimini' and 'Celebration') irrigated at either 50% or 80% reference evapotranspiration (ETo ) and fertilised at either 0, 146, 244, or 342 kg N ha −1 year −1 . Plots were evaluated monthly for turfgrass quality, dark green colour index (DGCI), normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), and Chlorophyll Index, and seasonally for N tissue content. Plots watered at 80% ETo enhanced bermudagrass quality compared to 50% ETo, DGCI and NDVI only in two months out of 24. Latitude 36 and Celebration were the top‐rated cultivars, and their quality was not affected by no N fertilisation. Conversely, TifGrand, TifTuf and Tifway that received no N fertilisation resulted in insufficient quality during the second year of the study. Insufficient quality may be linked to reduced N metabolization compared to the highest rated cultivars. Results show that new cultivars such as Latitude 36 and Bimini could be maintained at sufficient quality levels with reduced water and N inputs in South Florida.