Seeding Date and Seed Treatment Affects Success of Dormant-Seeded Buffalograss.

Dormant seeding is commonly used for establishing cool-season turfgrasses, but dormant seeding buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] has not been evaluated. Buffalograss burrs contain growth-inhibiting oils and must be commercially treated with KNO₃ to increase germination rates, but dormant seeding may alleviate the need for KNO₃ treatment. Therefore, our objective was to determine the effect of commercial KNO3 seed treatment on ‘Cody’ buffalograss germination when seeded at various dates in winter and spring. Studies were initiated in Nov of 2012, 2013 and 2014 when KNO3-treated or untreated ‘Cody’ buffalograss seeds were placed in aluminum screen packets and buried in field plots. Additional packets were buried in Jan and March of the following year. Packets were extracted in late May of each year and moved to the greenhouse where germination was counted through August. Though results varied among years, it appears that KNO₃ treatment may not be needed when dormant seeding.