DROUGHT RESISTANCE IN CENTIPEDEGRASS CULTIVARS

In our study, we sought to determine if an experimental cultivar of ce ntipedegrass ['TC178'; Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.] had super ior turf characteristics under extended droughts. Common centipedegras s (CC), vegetatively propagated 'TC178' (VG178), and seed-propagated ( F3) 'TC178' (SD178) were evaluated in a 2-year controlled watering stu dy that compared turf characteristics and drought resistance. The gras ses were established under an automated rainfall shelter and were subj ected to three drought regimes: watered twice per week (no stress), 2 to 3 weeks between watering (moderate), and 4 to 6 weeks between water ing (severe). Turf characteristics (visual rating and clipping biomass ) were measured weekly and soil water content profiles were measured d aily. Visual ratings among cultivars were similar for no-stress condit ions, but visual ratings of SD178 and VG178 were 18% higher than for C C for moderate stress and 28% higher for severe stress. At the end of moderate stress periods, clipping of VG178 was 24% greater than for CC , but by the end of the severe stress periods, biomass from VG178 was 22% lower than for CC. Available soil water content profiles indicated that the three cultivars extracted soil water at the same rate. Visua l ratings and growth decline with survival under severe stress showed that VG178 and SD178 had significantly better drought resistance than CC. 'TC178' provides a superior appearance turf that will stand up to the droughts common in its adapted region.