Influence of Fertility and Mowing Height on Performance of Established Centipedegrass
2007
Toler, J.E. | Higingbottom, J.K. | McCarty, L.B.
Centipedegrass Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack. is widely grown throughout the southeastern United States as a low-maintenance turfgrass; however, limited peer-reviewed research is available on "best" cultural practices for established centipedegrass. This research was conducted to examine the long-term effects of mowing height and fertility regimens providing various rates and application times of soil-applied granular Fe and N on centipedegrass quality and surface coverage. Soil type was a Cecil sandy loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludult) with a pH of 5.5. A mowing height of 3.8 cm was equal to or better than the 1.9 cm mowing height throughout the study. The rate of N fertilization played an important role in achieving optimal turfgrass quality and coverage with the two highest rates (97.6 and 195.2 kg.ha(-1) N), generally providing similar results when applied as split applications in May and August and mowed at 3.8 cm. These treatments provided turfgrass quality ratings of 8.3-9.0, turfgrass color ratings of 8.1-8.7, and turfgrass coverage of 94% to 98% over a 3-year period. The addition of soil-applied Fe sulfate at a rate of 24.4 kg.ha(-1) Fe was not beneficial to centipedegrass performance or color. Results indicate that the addition of 97.6 kg.ha(-1) N, using split-applications in May and August and a mowing height of 3.8 cm for established centipedegrass, should achieve acceptable turfgrass quality and coverage.
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