| Abstract/Contents: | As part of a continuing six year field evaluation of nineteen bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) cultivars, third year results are reported from the TAMU Turfgrass Field Laboratory in Texas. The overall turfgrass quality of Tifdwarf, Ormond, Santa Ana, Sunturf, and Tifgreen was the strongest in 1981. Ormond, Santa Ana, Sunturf, and Tifgreen also ranked highest in 1980, which was the first full growing season. Everglades ranked high the first year but has declined seriously in turfgrass quality. Tifdwarf and Midway have shown continuous improvements. The lowest ranking cultivars were Common, U-3, FB-119, Texturf-1F, NK 78098 and Texturf-10. The lower density of these cultivars contributed to their low ranking. The green-type bermudagrasses, such as Tifdwarf, Tifgreen, and PeeDee ranked among the highest in shoot density. Ranking medium to high were Tifway, Midway, Sunturf, Santa Ana, and Ormond. The low ranking went to Texturf-1F, Everglades, and FB-119, with Common ranking the lowest. Tifdwarf exhibited the slowest growth rate, while Common seeded bermudagrass ranked the highest. Sunturf, Santa Ana, and Tifway showed moderately slow vertical growth while still exhibiting relatively high density. Midway exhibited a fairly high growth rate as did Texturf-10 and FB-119. Although, the latter two cultivars have a minimum nitrogen requirement. The overall ranking for low temperature color retention capability revealed that both Santa Ana and Miduron ranked high. Whereas, U-3, Tifdwarf, Tifgreen, Texturf-10, and PeeDee ranked lowest. Common, Midiron, PeeDee, NK 78098 and Texturf-10 have the earliest spring greenup, while Santa Ana, U-3, Tifway, and Sunturf were the slowest. Tables detail comparative turfgrass quality, shoot densities, leaf extension rates and widths internode characteristics, and color/temperature responses of the 19 cultivars for 1981. |
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