Nitrogen Rate and Timing for Hybrid Bermudagrass Lawns.

Typical nitrogen (N) fertilization recommendations for hybrid bermudagrass lawns in the southeastern United States are 14 to 29 g N m^-2 growing season^-1, with rate varying with intensity of use and growing season.  However, there is limited information about best management of N rate and N timing for hybrid bermudagrass lawns.  The objective of this project was to examine N rate (totals of 14, 19, 24 and 29 g N m^-2 growing season^-1 and N timing (all season, early spring, late fall) on the growth and performance of hybrid bermudagrass managed as a home lawn.  The study (19 trts, 4 reps) was installed in 2010 so every treatment was applied in that year.  Data collection was in 2011 and 2012, with color, quality, number of mowings per treatment and shoot density collected.  In general, a total N rate of 3 g N m^-2 was too low to maintain acceptable turf quality, and crabgrass invasion was a result.  Color and quality differences were less apparent at the two higher N rates, indicating that the highest rate of N was not needed to maintain acceptable color.  Early spring applications of N alone were not sufficient to maintain turf quality throughout the season.