Tuesday, November 6, 2007
171-16
Improved Seeded Centipedegrass Varieties for the Transition Zone.
Adam Thoms1, John Sorochan1, Scott McElroy1, Tom Samples1, and Wayne Hanna2. (1) University of Tennessee, 2431 Joe Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, (2) University of Georgia, University of Georgia, Po Box 748, Tifton, GA 31793-0748
Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides [Munro.] Hack.) has been used extensively as a low maintenance turf cover in the southern United States ; particularly, for highway roadsides, cemeteries, and home lawns. The introduction of seeded cultivars such as ‘TifBlair’, with increased cold tolerance, may result in an expanded northern adaptation for this species. Unfortunately, information regarding the maintenance of centipedegrass in the colder regions of adaptation is limited. The objective of this study was to determine how mowing height and nitrogen fertility affect quality and winter recovery of centipedegrass in the mid to upper transition zone. Two separate studies were conducted in two locations in Tennessee (Jackson and Knoxville ). In Knoxville, TN , two nitrogen rates, two mowing heights, and eight seeded varieties were compared. In Jackson, TN , four nitrogen rates, three application dates, and two mowing heights were compared. For the two studies, turfgrass color, quality, and percent green cover were rated both visually and by digital image analysis. Statistical analysis for treatment differences were determined using Agriculture Research Manager 7 software.