Mowing and Plant Growth Regulator Effects on St. Augustinegrass Sod Root Establishment.

During municipal water restriction periods, a water variance of 4 to 6 weeks is commonly allotted for successful establishment of turfgrass sod in the landscape.  In these situations, establishment practices promoting rapid development of a deep and expansive root system are essential to the long-term success of the turf, especially as watering schedules are once again scaled back to accommodate ensuing water restrictions.   Sod producers and turf managers could benefit from a information on the impacts of mowing practices as well as the potential for use of plant growth regulators in affecting root development during this period.  The objectives of this greenhouse study were to 1) evaluate effects of cultural management practices on root establishment of St. Augustinegrass (Stenatophrum secundatum) sod over a 35-day period (intended to simulate a common municipal water establishment variance period), and 2) compare the quality and genetic rooting potential of advanced experimental ‘DALSA 0605’ St. Augustinegrass  which has shown excellent quality under water stress in field evaluations, to ‘Floratam’, the current industry standard for drought resistance in St. Augustinegrass.  Weekly mowing as well as trinexapac-ethyl application led to significant reductions in root development in both cultivars during the 35-day establishment period.