Stand Establishment of Bermudagrass from Seed 1

Common bermudagrass [ Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] when established with commercial seed in the northern part of the bermudagrass belt, has a high percentage of winter‐kill. The feasibility of developing seeded bermudagrass cultivars with greater cold tolerance is currently being investigated in Oklahoma. The objective of this research was to compare the winterhardiness of seeded common bermudagrass to an open‐pollinated, seed‐producing, experimental clone (‘A‐9945’). Seedling differences were studied between and within the two strains established at 2‐week intervals beginning in April and ending in August. Fall measurements were taken of forage dry matter production and fibrous root and rhizome volumes. The following January and February, rhizomes and crown‐buds were harvested from each establishment date and their viability determined. These measurements were then related to recovery and growth (e.g., early spring shoot emergence and density) that spring. Fibrous roots and rhizome volumes were determined by submerging samples in graduated cylinders containing known volumes of water. Dry weights were measured using standard oven‐drying procedures. Comparison of winter hardiness between strains demonstrated that A‐9945 initiated rhizome production earlier and in greater quantities than “common.” Plants of A‐9945 emerged 3 to 4 weeks earlier than common in the spring; a greater number from the July planting dates recovered the following spring. Winter survival of common depended almost entirely on crown‐bud hardiness. Rhizomes and crown‐buds contributed to the survival of A‐9945. Planting after July 21 for A‐9945 and May 25 for common did not permit sufficient time for development of rhizomes and crown‐buds capable of complete winter survival.