Monday, November 13, 2006
70-11
Genetic diversity of 42 bermudagrass cultivars in a reduced light environment.
Christian Baldwin and Haibo Liu. Clemson Univ., Dept. Of Horticulture, Dept. Of Horticulture, Clemson, SC 29631, United States of America
Bermudagrasses continue to be the preferred turfgrass species used as variable turf types in the southeast, however, its use is often limited when optimal light interception is interrupted. Morphological limitations, such as reduced lateral stem growth contribute to bermudagrass decline in shade. Due to the shade sensitivity of bermudagrass, a two year replicated greenhouse study in 2005 and 2006 determined the shade tolerance of 42 bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) cultivars selected from the 2002 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP). Data collection includes visual turfgrass quality (TQ), chlorophyll concentration, root length, and total root biomass. Seeded cultivars include ‘Sunstar’, ‘B-14’, ‘SWI-1003’, ‘SWI-1012’, ‘SWI-1014’, ‘SWI-1041’, ‘SWI-1044’, ‘SWI-1045’, ‘SWI-1046’, ‘Arizona Common’, ‘Numex Sahara’, ‘Princess 77’, ‘Mohawk’, ‘FMC-6’, ‘SWI-1001’, ‘Sundevil’, ‘Southern Star’, ‘Riviera’, ‘Transcontinental’, ‘CIS-CD5’, ‘CIS-CD6’, ‘CIS-CD7’, ‘Panama’, ‘SRX 9500’, ‘Yukon’, ‘Tift No.1’, ‘Tift. No.2’, and ‘PST-R68A’. Vegetative cultivars include ‘Tift No.3’, ‘Tift No,4’, ‘Tifway’, ‘Midlawn’, ‘Tifsport’, ‘MS-Choice’, ‘Aussie Green’, ‘GN-1’, ‘OR 2002’, ‘Ashmore’, ‘Patriot’, ‘OKC 70-18’, and ‘Celebration’. Complete two year results will be presented at the conference.