Wear tolerance, shoot performance, and spectral reflectance of seashore paspalum and bermudagrass

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz) displays wide intraspecific d iversity and exhibits tolerance to numerous abiotic stresses. In addition, comparatively low fertility requirements and high quality growth characteri stics of many ecotypes render this grass a prospective candidate for use on golf courses, athletic fields, and landscaped areas in warm climates world wide, The objectives of this research were to evaluate the relative growth, quality, and wear tolerance of seashore paspalum and bermudagrass. This re search was conducted in two consecutive field trials during 1997 under wear and non-wear conditions on seven seashore paspalum ecotypes and three hybr id bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) cultiv ars established on a native Appling sandy clay loam (clayey, kaolinitic, th ermic typic Kanhapludult) at the University of Georgia Experiment Station a t Griffin, GA. We found that two paspalum ecotypes, Temple 1 and SIPV-2, ra nked as high or higher than 'Tifway' and 'Tifsport' for visual quality, sho ot density, shoot growth, and amount of verdure tissue under non-wear condi tions. In addition, these two paspalum ecotypes showed the most favorable s pectral reflectance data responses, indicating greatest utilization of inte rcepted light, and also showed rates of recovery from wear which were equal to or greater than those of the bermudagrass entries. Paspalum ecotypes Te mple 1 and SIPV-2 appear to be suitable for use in areas where a high quali ty, traffic-tolerant turfgrass is required. Paspalum ecotypes with lower sh oot densities were less wear tolerant.