Thursday, 10 November 2005 - 9:45 AM
315-5

Bermudagras Seed Germination at Various Temperatures.

Gerald Evers and Peggy Parsons. Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, TAMU Agric. Res. & Ext. Ctr., PO Box 200, Overton, TX 75684-0200

In the last 5 to 10 years, producer interest in seeded bermudagrasses (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) has increased because of comparable yields and lower establishment costs than sprigged cultivars. Weed competition is a major problem in obtaining seeded bermudagrass stands because no herbicides are available. Management strategies must be developed to enhance bermudagrass emergence and seedling growth to compete with weeds. Influence of temperature on germination was determined on both hulled and unhulled common bermudagrass seed. Four replications of 100 seed of hulled and unhulled seed were placed on germination pads in petri dishes and placed in a Precision Model 818 illuminated incubator for 4 weeks. Seed were treated with Captan 20-20 to prevent molds at the beginning of each temperature treatment and keep moist with distilled water. Germination was recorded daily at alternating day/night temperatures of 150,/50, 200/100, 250/150, 300/200, 350/250, and 400/30a0 C. A seed was counted as germinated when both a radicle and green leaf were present. Bermudagrass seed did not germinate at the lowest temperature of 15/50 C. Maximum germination and germination rate for hulled seed was at 300/200 C. Maximum germination and germination rate of unhulled seed was at 350/250 C. Hulled seed germinated quicker than unhulled seed at all temperatures. Seeded bermudagrass should be planted when day/night temperatures are at least 300/200 C for the most rapid germination and emergence.

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