| Abstract/Contents: | "Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is the preferred warm-season turfgrass species in the southern United States. Previous research has noted diversity among bermudagrass cultivars in response to various environmental stresses, including cold, shade, and drought. However, limited information exists regarding aesthetic and physiological features of new, experimental, and industry standard field grown bermudagrass cultivars. Therefore, a field study was initiated to determine the aesthetic and physiological characteristics of 42 bermudagrass cultivars selected from the 2002 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) in the spring, summer, and fall, 2006 and 2007 at Clemson University, Clemson, SC. Data collection included visual turfgrass quality (TQ), spring green-up (SGU), percent dormancy, shoot chlorophyll concentration, clipping yield, thatch accumulation, root total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC), and total root biomass. Highest TQ scores in July were TifGrand and Tifway, while Contessa, SWI-1046, TifSport, and Tifway had highest chlorophyll concentrations. Regarding clipping yield, Riviera produced the fewest amount of clippings, while Tifway produced the greatest amount of clippings. Aussie Green, Celebration, and MS-Choice were among the quickest cultivars to break dormancy. Greatest thatch accumulation was noted for Aussie Green and TifSport, while Mohawk had the lowest thatch accumulation. In the eastern part of the transition zone, cultivars with the highest overall rank based on parameters collected in the spring, summer, and fall included Celebration, Contessa, Sunsport, SWI-1003, SWI- 1046, TifGrand, Tifsport, TiftNo.3, Tifway, and Veracruz. While this research identified the diversity between bermudagrass cultivars, cultivar selection should be based on numerous other factors not included in this study, including water availability, cultivation practices, soil type, fertility program, and quality of light." |
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