Agronomy and Horticulture Department

 

Date of this Version

2002

Citation

HortScience, 37(3):506-507. 2002.

Comments

Copyright 2002 American Society for Horticultural Science. Used by Permission.

Abstract

Buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] is a warm-season perennial grass native to the North American Great Plains region and has been used as a low-maintenance turfgrass. Turf-type buffalograsses are available and are commonly used on nonirrigated land. Our objectives were to determine the deepest planting depth of burrs that would allow acceptable emergence and to evaluate planting depth of burrs that would allow acceptable emergence, and to evaluate planting depth effects on bufalograss seedling morphology. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted in Fall 2000. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with 4 replications and a 3 (cultivar) x 6 (planting depth) factorial treatment arrangement. Results showed that buffalograss emergence decreased as planting depth increased. All cultivars have <10% total emergence at planting depths >50 mm. Emergence rates indices were greatest when planting depth was 13 mm and were significantly lower at planting depths of 51 and 76 mm. Average coleoptile length was 11 mm. Coleoptile length was similar between all planting depths except for the 13 mm depth which resulted in 9 mm-long coleoptile. Subcoleoptile internode length increased with planting depth up to 38 mm. Planting depths deeper than 38 mm did not significantly increase subcoleoptile internode length.

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