Cultivar and Winter Cover Effects on Bermudagrass Cold Acclimation and Crown Moisture Content
1993
Shashikumar, K. | Nus, J. L.
A prime concern for turfgrass managers using bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] in temperate regions is its winter survival. Because bermudagrasses do not reach maximum hardiness until midwinter, they are susceptible to cold temperatures that may occur during early winter. Management strategies to reduce winter injury and hasten post-dormancy growth include the use of protective winter covers. A 3-year field study was initiated to test the effect of spun-bonded winter covers applied in early December and removed in late May on bermudagrass cold acclimation and crown moisture content, and to assess the variation in the cold acclimation of eight selected cultivars. Cold acclimation was measured by electrolyte leakage and 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction. Significant variation existed among the cultivars in cold acclimation. ‘Midiron’ was the most cold hardy and ‘Arizona Common’ the least hardy. ‘A-22’ and ‘Tifway‘ ranked intermediate in hardiness by both electrolyte leakage and TTC.reduction methods. The presence of spun-bonded covers improved cold acclimation (lowered hardiness reference temperature (LT₅₀) by ≈2 °C during mid-winter sampling) and increased crown moisture content from 100 to 200 g kg⁻¹ of all cultivars tested. Results suggest the use of covers may significantly enhance the winter survivability of bermudagrass grown in the transition zone. Contribution no. 92-48-J of the Kansas Agric. Exp. Stn. Partial funding was received from the Kansas Turfgrass Foundation.
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