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Methods of Improving Adhesion of Bermudagrass Sod Late in the Season 1
Author(s) -
Burns Robert E.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1973.00021962006500040026x
Subject(s) - sowing , cynodon dactylon , lolium multiflorum , agronomy , cynodon , growing season , adhesion , horticulture , biology , chemistry , organic chemistry
In repairing athletic turfs it is necessary that new sod adhere rapidly and firmly to the substrate to prevent injury. This study was undertaken to investigate methods of increasing the adhesion of bermudagrass ( Cynodon sp. var. ‘Tifway’) sod during the fall. Sod plugs (10‐cm diameter) were laid on lightly raked soil periodically from September 2 to November 16 at Griffin, Georgia. Treatments included overseeding with diploid or tetraploid annual ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.), N, P, and K fertilization, perforating the sod with 1‐cm holes, and covering with perforated clear polyethylene plastic with or without one of the above treatments. After 1 week the force necessary to shear the sod from the substrate was measured. The only treatment to give consistent results was overseeding with ryegrass, which increased adhesion 100 to 200%. The plastic further increased adhesion late in the season. Tetraploid ryegrass was no better than diploid. Due to low adhesion of sod planted on November 9, a subsequent sod (planted on November 16) was permitted to root for 2 weeks. The shear force required was twice that of the November 9 planting. This method would permit sodding of worn areas on athletic fields later than with bermudagrass alone.