HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Chalmers, D. R. Articles by Schmidt, R. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Chalmers, D. R. Articles by Schmidt, R. E. Agricola Articles by Chalmers, D. R. Articles by Schmidt, R. E.

Bermudagrass Survival as Influenced by Deacclimation, Low Temperatures, and Dormancy¹

Winter survival is the most relevant problem in using bermudagrasses (Cynodon sp.) for turf in the northern limit Cor adaptation of semitropical grasses (upper south, U.S.). This research was conducted to investigate the effects of deacclimation, freezing temperatures, and duration of dormancy after exposure to freezing temperature on survival of bermudagrasses. ‘Tifgreen’ bermudagrass was taken from the field in February 1976, and deacclimated for 0, 2, 4, or 8 days at 27/13 C (day/night). Subsequently, rhizomes and stolons were subjected to temperatures of +2, 0, –2, –4, or –6 C for 24 hours. One-third of the samples from each treatment were maintained in dark storage for 0, 45, and 90 days at 2.7 C ± before being grown in a greenhouse for 4 weeks.

Rhizomes and stolons subjected to –1 or –6 C did not survive. Deacclimation with subsequent low temperature and extended dormancy duration appeared to have a compound influence on viability of stolons. Rhizomes were not so affected. At temperatures of –2 C or higher, viability of stolons did not decrease with deacclimation up to 4 days. However, with deacclimation up to 4 days, rhizome bud survival was enhanced. Survival of rhizome buds was significantly better at 0 C than –2 C; whereas, survival of stolon buds was not. Prolonged dormancy after exposure to low temperatures reduced the viability of both stolons and rhizome buds.

Findings indicate that below freezing temperatures and prolonged dormancy durations after freezing hinder the survival of bermudagrass whereas, short deacclimation periods before freezing do not.

Key Words: Freezing • Turfgrass • Rhizome • Stolon • Cynodon sp.

² Former graduate student and associate professor, respectively, Virginia Polytech. Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA 24061.

Received for publication July 10, 1978.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. D. Richardson Turf Quality and Freezing Tolerance of 'Tifway' Bermudagrass as Affected by Late-Season Nitrogen and Trinexapac-Ethyl Crop Sci., September 1, 2002; 42(5): 1621 - 1626. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]