Rn. Gates et Gw. Burton, SEED YIELD AND SEED QUALITY RESPONSE OF PENSACOLA AND IMPROVED BAHIAGRASSES TO FERTILIZATION, Agronomy journal, 90(5), 1998, pp. 607-611
Availability of improved bahiagrass cultivars, such as 'Tifton 9', has
increased the potential value of seed produced from bahiagrass. Seed
yield response of improved entries to fertilizer inputs is unknown and
the relationship of fertility to bahiagrass seed quality is poorly de
fined. Our objectives were to measure seed yield and seed quality resp
onse of three bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge var. saurae Parodi)
entries, varying in forage yield, to fertilizer inputs, Bahiagrass was
established in 1991 on Clarendon loamy sand (fine-loamy, siliceous, t
hermic Plinthaquic Paleudults) near Tifton, GA. Forage production had
been evaluated from 1992 to 1994. In 1995 and 1996, seed was harvested
from 'Pensacola', Tifton 9 (T9), and RRPS Cycle 18 (T18) in July. Eig
ht fertilizer treatments, identical to the 3-yr forage yield study, in
cluded rates of 56, 112, 224, and 448 kg N ha(-1); 25 and 49 kg P ha(-
1); and 47, 93, 139, 186, and 279 kg K ha(-1). Seed yield was lower (P
< 0.01) in 1995 than in 1996 and year and fertilizer treatment intera
cted (P < 0.01), Seed yield achieved with 224 kg N ha(-1) and the lowe
st P and K rates was not improved by higher rates, Although fertilizer
treatment and entry interacted (P < 0.01), optimal fertilizer inputs
among entries were similar, Seed weight was greater in 1995 and was in
creased (P < 0.05) by spring application of 112 kg N ha(-1) compared w
ith 56 kg N ha(-1), but not by higher rates. T18 seeds had greater (P
< 0.05) emergence 7 or 14 days after planting (DAP) than Pensacola or
T9. Emergence 14 DAP was greater with the highest N rates than the low
est rate. Emergence 35 DAP was only influenced by year (1996 > 1995),
Moderate levels of N enhanced seed yield. Fertilizer treatment had no
important effect on seed emergence or dormancy. Seed production and cu
mulative emergence of the three entries were similar.