Cultural and Chemical Practices to Convert Bermudagrass to Buffalograss.

Growing concern over the sufficiency and variability of present water supplies in the arid southwest has led to the examination of buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt) Engelm] for water conservation. Increasing awareness and acceptance of buffalograss will require investigation into conversion techniques for its establishment. Research was conducted at the Texas Tech Turfgrass Research Station in 2009 on an established bermudagrass rough. Four seedbed preparation treatments and two buffalograss seeding rates were evaluated. Bermudagrass was sprayed with glyphosate at 1.1 kg ai/ha five weeks prior to seedbed preparation. A second application (1.1 kg ai/ha) was made after significant regrowth (one week prior to seeding) and plots were scalped following dessication. Seedbed preparation treatments consisted of verticutting plus topdressing (0.6 cm layer), hollow-tine aerification plus topdressing, topdressing alone, or no seedbed preparation. ‘Texoka’ buffalograss was planted on June 1, 2009 at 146 or 195 kg/ha. A starter fertilizer (7 N-7 P₂0₅-7 K₂0) was applied at 49 kg/ha at. Plots were irrigated daily (5 cm/week) and mowed weekly to a height of 5 cm. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Buffalograss conversion was visually evaluated weekly for the first 2 months and monthly thereafter using a scale of 0 (no cover) to 100% (complete cover). Data were subjected to analysis of variance, and means were separated using Fisher’s Protected LSD (α = 0.05). Buffalograss establishment increased when seeded at the higher rate (195 kg/ha) regardless of seedbed treatment. Verticutting, aerification, and topdressing treatments increased buffalograss cover 34 to 56% and 57 to 77% when seeded at 146 and 195 kg/ha, respectively, 3 MAP (months after planting) compared to no seedbed preparation. Percent buffalograss cover 3 MAP was 71, 81, and 86% for topdressing, aerification plus topdressing, and verticutting plus topdressing treatments seeded at 195 kg/ha, respectively.