2008 Joint Annual Meeting (5-9 Oct. 2008): The Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization and Irrigation on St Augustinegrass.

St. Augustinegrass [(Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntz.] is the predominately used grass for Florida's commercial and residential landscapes with an estimated 0.7 million hectare under growth and management. However, limited published information is available on St. Augustinegrass response to irrigation regimes and nitrogen levels in south florida.  A 2-yr study was implemented to monitor St. Augustinegrass quality, color and cumulative turfgrass clippings in response to irrigation regimes and nitrogen inputs.  Two irrigations regimes (2.5 mm daily and 13.0 mm three times weekly) and four nitrogen levels  ( 100, 200, 300, and 600 N/kg ha^-1 yr^-1) applied as urea  were examined. Irrigation regimes had no effect on turfgrass color, quality or cumulative turgrass clippings.  However, nitrogen rate greatly affect turfgrass color, quality and cumulative turfgrass clippings. Highest visual ratings for turfgrass quality and, color were obtained with the highest rate of nitrogen. In addition, the highest nitrogen rate accumulated the greatest quantity of tissue. The lowest visual ratings for turfgrass quality and, color were obtained in the lowest nitrogen rate. However, only 300 N/kg ha^-1 yr^-1 and 600 N/kg ha^-1 yr^-1 provided acceptable turfgrass color and quality for the duration of the experiment.

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