Response of incomplete Tifton 9 bahiagrass stands to renovation

Establishment of warm-season grasses from seed is often impeded by slow ger mination and emergence, and low seedling vigor. Stand development can be fu rther retarded by unfavorable soil moisture resulting from high temperature s and erratic precipitation. Management of poorly established stands of war m-season grasses has received limited research attention. Two- or 3-year ol d, poorly established stands (basal occupation < 61%) of "Tifton 9' bahiagr ass (Paspalum notatum Flugge var. saure) at a dry upland site and at a mois t lowland site were reseeded (5.6 kg ha(-1)) in April of 2 different years either without tillage or after rototilling or light dishing and compared t o a non-seeded control. Our objective was to determine whether any combinat ion of tillage and/or seeding would enhance stand coverage. At the upland s ite, basal occupation of the control increased from an initial 61 to 80%. N o benefit was derived from interseeding, and both tillage treatments result ed in a stand reduction (P < 0.05) after 1 year. At the lowland site, basal occupation increased from an initial 28 to 59% for the control. Similar re sponses were observed with renovation treatments, but none were greater (P > 0.05) than the control. Bahiagrass stands with at least a few plants per m(2) should be managed to minimize weed encroachment, but introducing addit ional seed, with or without tillage, offered no benefit.