| dc.description.abstract | A field study was conducted on 'Guymon' bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers. seed to determine the effects of seeding rate, seed hulls, and mulch on establishment. The study contained four seeding rates, hulled and unhulled seed, and was planted with and without a fiber mulch cover. Seedling and shoot counts; shoot, root, and clipping dry weights; and percent ground cover were evaluated. Seed hulls delayed germination, seedling growth from date of emergence, and the establishment of ground cover. Seeding rates of 24,000 to 96,000 hulled seed/m2 produced an 85% ground cover in 14 weeks. Hulled seed also produced higher seedling and shoot counts, shoot, root, and clipping dry weights. Unhulled seed produced an 85% ground cover in 18 weeks when seeded at 6,000 or 24,000 seed/m2. The effects of mulch were minimal and may have been negated by the watering scheme during establishment. Nitrogen, potassium, and zinc concentrations in the bermU:dagrass were below published sufficiency ranges five weeks after planting. Crabgrass germinated within two days after bermudagrass was seeded, and may have reduced bermudagrass growth prior to crabgrass control by monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA) . | |
