105-4 Annual Ryegrass Spring Removal and Regrowth of Tifton 85 Bermudagrass.



Monday, October 17, 2011: 11:00 AM
Henry Gonzalez Convention Center, Room 007C, River Level

Eduardo Alava1, Yoana Newman1, Diane Rowland1, Lynn Sollenberger1, Charles Staples2, Mary C. Christman3 and Leonardo Ortega4, (1)Agronomy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
(2)University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
(3)IFAS Statistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
(4)National Mango Board, Gainesville, FL
Overseeding of ryegrass into warm-season grasses is favored because of its high quality and early yield. In some years, field observations have shown stand reduction and slow spring regrowth of Tifton 85 bermudagrass (T-85) associated to competition for resources from ryegrass growth. Three ryegrass removal dates (early March, D1; mid March, D2; and late March, D3) and three removal methods (chemical, C; mechanical, M; and simulated grazing, G) plus two controls (T-85 not overseeded, and T-85 overseeded with ryegrass but no removal) were tested on different variables (T-85 cover, light interception, soil temperature, DM yield, and carbohydrate reserve) to examine the competition dynamics of these two grasses. Only T-85 cover and light interception is reported. Results show that T-85 cover is affected by removal method (P < 0.01). Greater T-85 cover in early spring (March-April) occurred with herbicide (36%) followed by simulated grazing (21%), and mechanical (12%) ryegrass removal. Light interception at soil level was affected by removal date (P = 0.09) and removal method (P < 0.01). Highest light interception occurred with early removal date (D1; 52%) followed by D2 (50%), and D3 (45%). Implications from this study show that warm spring temperature will require early removal of ryegrass to guarantee T-85 bermudagrass regrowth in the spring.
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