Thursday, November 8, 2007 - 11:15 AM
338-13
No-till Strategies for Conversion of Common to High-Density Seeded Bermudagrass.
Gregg Munshaw1, Herbert Philley2, Wayne Wells2, and Barry Stewart2. (1) 117 Dorman Hall, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State University, Box 9555, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (2) Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mississippi State University, 117 Dorman Hall, Box 9555, Mississippi State, MS 39762
Many older golf courses and athletic fields in the southern United States are growing common bermudagrass (CBG). Common bermudagrass is not an ideal cultivar for fine turf situations due to low density, coarse texture, and the presence of seedheads. Turf managers are often faced with the challenge of how to convert to an improved seeded type without lengthy closures. A study was designed to examine methods of conversion without extensive renovation. The study was conducted on a golf fairway in Columbus, MS growing CBG. Treatments were applied in October of 2004 and 2005 prior to CBG dormancy. Treatments consisted of glyphosate, glyphosate + fluazifop-P-butyl, glyphosate + glyphosate, and two rates of ethephon. Seeding of ‘Riviera ’ occurred 1 March 2005 and 2006 following vertical mowing. Glyphosate treatments were successful in controlling CBG while the ethephon treatments had little effect. Germination occurred approximately 1 month after seeding each year. Higher germination occurred on plots that had greater CBG control. Treatments that were successful in killing CBG resulted in earlier spring greenup 1 year after seeding. Early greenup was considered a characteristic of Riviera and thus plots with early greenup were considered to be successfully converted.