| Abstract/Contents: | "Morphological limitations, such as reduced lateral stem growth, reduced stress resistances to unfavorable environments and pests, and overall reduction of carbohydrate synthesis contribute to bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) decline under shade. Due to shade sensitivity and possible genetic variability of bermudagrasses, a twoyear replicated greenhouse study in 2005 and 2006 determined the shade tolerance of 42 bermudagrass cultivars selected from the 2002 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP). Cultivars were subjected to 64% continuous artificial shade for 60 days. Data collection included visual turfgrass quality (TQ), shoot chlorophyll concentration, root length, and total root biomass. Seeded cultivars included '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', 'La Paloma', 'Yukon', 'TiftNo.1', 'TiftNo.2', and 'Sunbird'. Vegetative cultivars included 'TiftNo.3', 'Tift No,4', 'Tifway', 'Midlawn', 'Tifsport', 'MS-Choice', 'Aussie Green', 'GN-1', 'Premier', 'Ashmore', 'Patriot', 'OKC 70-18', and 'Celebration'. Cultivars with best shade tolerance were 'Celebration', 'TiftNo.4', 'TiftNo.1', and 'Transcontinental'. Cultivars with intermediate shade tolerance included 'Aussie Green', 'MS-Choice', 'Princess 77', 'SWI-1045', 'SWI-1041', and 'SWI-1012'. Most shade sensitive cultivars included 'SWI-1014', 'Arizona Common', 'Sundevil', 'SR 9554', 'GN-1', and 'Patriot'." |
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