ROOTING CHARACTERISTICS OF BUFFALOGRASSES GROWN IN FLEXIBLE PLASTIC TUBES

Rooting characteristics of 22 buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt. ) Engelm.] genotypes were determined by growing plants in clear, sand- filled polyethylene tubes in a glasshouse. Differences were observed a mong entries for average maximum root depth, total root weight, root c ount and weight at increasing 100-mm depth increments, and total shoot weight. Average maximum root depth was positively correlated with tot al root weight (r = 0.59) and with root count at each 100-mm root prof ile depth. Root count and weight across all vertical root profile sect ions were highly correlated (r = 0.81). Total shoot weight was weakly correlated with average maximum root depth but not at all with total r oot weight. Grasses with superior rooting characteristics (deeply root ed, with larger root mass and count in the lower root profile sections ) included AZ-143, NTDG-1, and '315' (NE84-315).