Performance of Dwarf Bahiagrass Germplasm Growing Under Low-Maintenance Conditions.

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) is a perennial warm-season grass well adapted to the southern Coastal Plain of US. Cultivars normally used for forage, such as ‘Pensacola’ and ‘Argentine’ bahiagrass, have also been used as utility turf. The use of bahiagrass in higher profile landscapes is limited due to its poor color, prolific production of tall (> 60 cm) unattractive seedheads and its open-growth habit. Novel dwarf bahiagrass genotypes show promise as potential turf types. Twelve dwarf tetraploid genotypes in addition to Argentine and Pensacola bahiagrass were evaluated for growth habits and seed production in the field at the UF-NFREC, Quincy, Florida. The plots (3 × 1.8 m) were planted in April 2009 using vegetatively propagated sprigs in a completely randomized block design with three replications. Sward management included mowing (7.5 cm height) every 8 wk and mechanical weed control. The dwarf genotypes were found to be shorter than both commercial cultivars, for foliage and plant height (foliage + seed heads). The dwarf lines varied for foliage and plant height. Pensacola and Argentine bahiagrass had similar foliage height, but the latter had shorter seed heads. The dwarf genotypes showed a lower rate of spread than Pensacola and Argentine. Minimal differences were identified for plant vigor. Variability was observed among the dwarf lines for seed head production and seed viability. The dwarf lines produced more seed heads than Argentine bahiagrass in July, but less in September. Pensacola produced a similar number of seed heads to most of the dwarf lines in July, but had the greatest seed head production in September. The greatest concentration of flowering for all genotypes occurred during mid-summer. Some of the dwarf genotypes showed greater germination percentages than both commercial cultivars. In general, seed harvested in 2010 had higher viability than seed harvested in 2011, except for Pensacola.