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Quality and Yield Response of Four Warm‐Season Lawngrasses to Shade Conditions 1
Author(s) -
Barrios E. P.,
Sundstrom F. J.,
Babcock D.,
Leger L.
Publication year - 1986
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/agronj1986.00021962007800020011x
Subject(s) - deciduous , evergreen , shrub , horticulture , loam , zoysia japonica , shading , agronomy , botany , biology , ecology , soil water , art , visual arts
Warm‐season turfgrasses differ widely in their tolerance to low light. Shade conditions, as the result of shrub or tree presence, are greatly influenced depending on whether the tree or shrub is deciduous or evergreen in nature. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of deciduous shade on the quality and yield of four major warm season lawngrasses. Zoysiagrass [ Zoysia japonica (Stued.) ✕ Z . tenuifolia (Willd.) ‘Emerald’], St. Augustinegrass [ Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] ‘Floratam’ and ‘Floratine’, and centipedegrass [ Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro.) (Hack.) ‘Oklawn’] were sodded in outdoor plots on an Olivier silt loam (fine‐silty, mixed, thermic aquic, Fragiudalf) soil. All were exposed to unshaded and 47 and 63% shade regimes of green saran screening for 7 months each year to simulate Gulf South deciduous shade tree conditions. Determination of lawngrass quality and yield responses were made for 3 yr. Increased shade decreased air temperature at sod level. Mean air temperature at sod level was not correlated with quality of any lawngrass. Mean air temperature at sod level was significantly correlated only with clipping yields of Floratam St. Augustinegrass and Oklawn centipedegrass. Lawngrass quality generally decreased with increasing shade. Photon flux density was significantly correlated with quality of all lawngrasses except Oklawn. Quality ratings in 63% shade indicate that Floratam St. Augustinegrass quality was most intolerant, while Oklawn centipedegrass quality was most tolerant of reduced light conditions. Quality and yield were not significantly correlated in any lawngrass. Lawngrass yield generally decreased with increasing shade. Emerald Zoysiagrass mean clipping yields were least reduced, and Floratam St. Augustinegrass mean yields were most reduced in 63% shade treatments.