Browsing by Subject "Bermuda grass"
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Item An economic analysis of Midland Bermudagrass establishment on West Texas stock farms(Texas Tech University, 1965-05) Moberly, Howard DeanThe purpose of this study is to evaluate Midland Bermuda as an alternative cash crop for West Texas producers. The more specific objectives of the study are to: (1) determine alternative methods of sprigging Midland Bermuda; (2) prepare budgets on the establlsh- RMsnt, maintenance, and cost requirements of Midland Bermuda; (3) determine the maintenance and other economic problems of the enterprise which affect costs; <4) evaluate cost and return data of the enterprise; and (5) determine Midland Bermuda's competitiveness with other study area enterprises for available production factors.Item Management of annual bluegrass and bermudagrass in creeping bentgrass greens(2012-08) Cooper, Floyd T.; Henry, Gerald M.; Dotray, Peter A.; Cox, Robert D.Management of creeping bentgrass is relatively intense when maintained as a golf course putting green. The intense nature of the cultural practices required to maintain creeping bentgrass as a putting surface has a cumulative negative impact on this same environment. Aerification, verticutting, mowing, and topdressing open up the turfgrass canopy and cause significant wounding to creeping bentgrass plants. Voids in the canopy and reduced photosynthetic capability of desired turfgrass plants may shift the competitive edge to favor weed invasion. Experiments were conducted at the Plant and Soil Science greenhouse facility in Lubbock, TX in 2011 and 2012 on ‘Riviera’ and ‘Savannah’ common bermudagrass. Herbicide treatments were applied on December 1, 2011 and February 8, 2012 and consisted of metamifop at 200, 300, 400, and 500 g ai ha-1. A sequential application of each treatment was made on December 22, 2011 and February 29, 2012. An untreated check was included for comparison. The non-treated check pots exhibited 0% control and 0.59 to 0.83 g of biomass 3 weeks after initial treatment (WAIT), regardless of cultivar. Metamifop at 300 to 500 g ai ha-1 exhibited 96 to 100% bermudagrass control 3 WAIT, regardless of cultivar. Bermudagrass subjected to those same treatments exhibited 0.01 to 0.03 g of biomass 3 WAIT, regardless of cultivar. The 200 g ai ha-1 rate of metamifop exhibited 9% control of Savannah bermudagrass with 0.72 g of biomass collected, while Riviera was controlled 41% with 0.38 g of biomass collected. Sequential applications of metamifop at 300 to 500 g ai ha-1 completely controlled bermudagrass (100%) 6 WAIT, while a sequential application at 200 g ai ha-1 controlled bermudagrass 8 to 19% 6 WAIT, regardless of cultivar. Bermudagrass subjected to 200 g ai ha-1 exhibited 0.48 to 0.56 g of biomass 6 WAIT, regardless of cultivar. Experiments were conducted at the Plant and Soil Science greenhouse facility in Lubbock, TX in 2011 and 2012 on ‘Crystal Bluelinks’, ‘Penncross’, ‘Seaside II’, ‘Penn A-4’, ‘T-1’, and ‘L-93’ creeping bentgrass; and ‘SR 7200’ velvet bentgrass. Herbicide treatments were applied on December 1, 2011 and February 8, 2012 and consisted of metamifop at 200, 300, 400, and 500 g ai ha-1. A sequential application of each treatment was made on December 22, 2011 and February 29, 2012. An untreated check was included for comparison. Metamifop at 200 to 300 g ai ha-1 exhibited 0 to 7% bentgrass phytotoxicity 3 WAIT, regardless of cultivar. Metamifop at 400 to 500 g ai ha-1 exhibited 12 to 18% phytotoxicity on L-93 and Penn A-4, while phytotoxicity on all other cultivars was ≤ 8% 3 WAIT. The phytotoxicity observed on L-93 and Penn A-4 in response to metamifop at 400 to 500 g ai ha-1 coincided with large reductions in biomass (72 to 91%) compared to the untreated checks 3 WAIT. All bentgrass cultivars exhibited ≤ 10% phytotoxicity in response to metamifop at 200 g ai ha-1 6 WAIT. Bentgrass cultivars responded differently to applications of metamifop at 300 g ai ha-1 6 WAIT. Phytotoxicity was only 10% for Crystal Bluelinks, 18% for Seaside II, 18% for SR 7200, and 26% for T-1. Phytotoxicity was 47 to 76% for the remaining cultivars 6 WAIT. Seaside II, SR 7200, T-1, and Crystal Bluelinks exhibited 24 to 36% phytotoxicity in response to metamifop at 400 g ai ha-1 6 WAIT, while all other cultivars exhibited 70 to 86% phytotoxicity. Seaside II, SR 7200, and Crystal Bluelinks exhibited 48 to 51% phytotoxicity in response to metamifop at 500 g ai ha-1 6 WAIT, while all other cultivars exhibited 69 to 88% phytotoxicity. High levels of phytotoxicity 6 WAIT coincided with large amounts of biomass reduction when compared to the untreated check. Three field experiments were conducted on creeping bentgrass greens at separate locations between the fall of 2011 and the spring of 2012 in Lubbock, TX. Herbicide treatments were initiated on October 10, 2011, November 10, 2011, or December 10, 2011 and consisted of single or sequential applications of methiozolin at 0.5 or 1.0 kg ai ha-1. Sequential applications were made in one-month increments. Paclobutrazol at 0.28 kg ai ha-1 applied on October 10, 2011 with a sequential application on November 10, 2011 was evaluated as an industry standard. An untreated check was included for comparison. Minimal to no creeping bentgrass phytotoxicity (< 2.5%) was observed 28 DAIT in response to methiozolin, regardless of application rate or timing. Paclobutrazol treatments in our research exhibited 30% creeping bentgrass phytotoxicity 28 DAIT. However, phytotoxicity was reduced below acceptable levels (< 10%) by the following spring. Differences in annual bluegrass control were observed between locations. Methiozolin applications at the Rawls Golf Course exhibited 57 to 86% annual bluegrass control, regardless of application rate or timing. Control increased as applications were made later in the fall. Single applications of methiozolin applied in October exhibited 57 to 63% control, while applications made in December exhibited 65 to 73% control, regardless of rate. Annual bluegrass control in response to methiozolin at the Reese Golf Course ranged from 54 to 100%, regardless of application rate or timing. Control increased as applications were made later in the fall. Single applications of methiozolin applied in October exhibited 54 to 78% control, while applications made in November exhibited 78 to 88% control, regardless of rate. However, control was only 74% in response to single applications of methiozolin made in December, regardless of rate. The number of sequential applications of methiozolin significantly affected annual bluegrass control . Control was 63, 74, and 82% at the Rawls Golf Course in response to methiozolin applied 1, 2, and 3 times, respectively, regardless of application rate or application timing. Control was 75, 90 and 95% at the Reese Golf Course in response to methiozolin applied 1, 2, and 3 times, respectively, regardless of application rate or timing.Item Plant growth substances: bermudagrass biomass response and the interaction with edaphic factors(Texas Tech University, 1983-05) Walker, Kandy LaineNot availableItem Seeded bermudagrass establishment using subsurface drip irrigation(Texas Tech University, 2003-08) Weeaks, Justin DThroughout most of the .Southwest water is becoming limited. Innovative methods to conserve water loss during irrigation arc being evaluated and implemented in many parts of the U.S. No research to date has indicated whether seeded bermudagrass can be established by using subsurface drip irrigation (.SDI). In two experiments, seeded bemiudagrass was successfully established using SDI. Treatments consisted of tubing spaced at 30, 46, and 61 cm. Emitter spacing was equal to distance between lateral lines. The control treatment consisted of pop-up sprinklers. Salinity accumulation is a concern when irrigating turfgrass in areas of poor water quality and low annual rainfall. Salinity accumulation was visible at the soil surface during establishment in 2001, but turfgrass showed no visible signs of stress due to salinity. Salinity accumulation was greater in most months at the 0-15 cm depth in both years compared to the 15-30 cm depth. In establishment periods with significant rainfall, salinity accumulation is still possible but not seen at the soil surface in 2002. This research documents the ability to successfully establish seeded bermudagrass using SDI. Full turfgrass coverage (> 90%) for the control plots in 2001 was around 8.5 weeks and the SDI treatments had complete coverage in 10 weeks. Turfgrass coverage for all treatments in 2002 was 9 weeks. Experiment II had a slightly faster establishment rate due to greater rainfall and different soil characteristics than that of Experiment I. Root count and depth of roots for both years showed roots to 61 cm depth in all treatments. A general trend of higher salinity accumulation midpoint of tubing was seen in Experiments I and II. However, after significant rainfall, salinity accumulation returned to concentrations comparable to initial soil salinity in both years. This is important because roots are finding water below the SDI tubing, which was buried at IS cm. Root number in both years was sufficient to provide a healthy turfgrass. Subsurface drip irrigation is a successful method of establishing seeded bermudagrass.Item The effects of bermudagrass-clipping pellets as an alternative forage source in the diets of sheep(Texas Tech University, 2004-12) McMillan, Matthew LeeThree studies were conducted to determine the effects of Bermuda grass-clippings (Cynodon dactylon L.) collected from domestic lawns as an alternative forage source in the diets of sheep. The first study compared Bermuda grass-clipping pellets (Cynodon dactylon L.) to alfalfa pellets (Medicago sativa L.) in a concentrate diet fed to 60 Suffolk, Rambouillet x Suffolk, and hair crossbred lambs. Feed efficiency data and carcass characteristics were recorded to determine treatment differences. No differences (P > .05) were found between the two diets for any feed efficiency or carcass characteristics when using pen as the experimental unit. However, breed effects were significant (P < .05) for initial weight, days on feed, average daily gain, dry matter intake, daily dry matter intake, feed:gain, fat thickness, flank streakings, and quality grade. In the second study, a metabolism trial was performed to determine apparent crude protein (CP) retention and absorption of three concentrate diets containing either alfalfa pellets (Medicago sativa L.), Coastal Bermuda grass hay pellets (Cynodon dactylon L.), or bermuda grass-clipping pellets (Cynodon dactylon L.). Twenty-one Rambouillet wethers were used in the study. A 5 day (d) warm-up period was followed by a 7 d total collection period of all urine and fecal material produced. No differences (P > .05) were found for N intake, dry matter digestibility (DMD), fecal N, urinary N, apparent N absorbed, or apparent N retained. In the third study, rumen fluid was collected from a canulated steer on a 100% Bermuda grass hay (Cynodon dactylon L.) diet to perform an in vitro dry matter disappearance analysis on alfalfa pellets (Medicago sativa L.), Coastal bermuda grass hay pellets (Cynodon dactylon L.), and bermud agrass-clipping pellets (Cynodon dactylon L.). Digestibility was measured over a 12, 24, and 48 hour time period. Digestibility significantly increased (P < .05) over time for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and Coastal bermudagrass pellets (Cynodon dactylon L.), but not for bermuda grass-clippings (Cynodon dactylon L.). When comparing digestibility between forage sources, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was the highest (P < .05) in digestibility over all three time periods. Bermuda grass-clippings (Cynodon dactylon L.) were the second highest (P < .05) in digestibility for the 12 hour and 24 hour time period. However, Bermuda grass clippings (Cynodon dactylon L.) and Coastal bermuda grass hay (Cynodon dactylon L.) were not different (P > .05) in digestibility for the 48 hour time period.Item Voluntary intake digestibility and selection of Matua bromegrass, Coastal bermudagrass, and alfalfa hay by yearling horses(Texas Tech University, 1997-12) LaCasha, Patricia AnnMatua bromegrass [Bromus unioloides (Willd.) H.B. K. cv. Grasslands Matua] was introduced in 1973, but little information exists concerning its potential as a hay for horses. Thus, voluntary intake and apparent digestibility of DM, CP, and fiber components of Matua bromegrass by 18 Quarter Horse yearlings (mean initial BW 354 kg; SE 5.8) were compared with two commonly used forages in the horse industry, alfalfa {Medicago saliva L.) and Coastal bermudagrass {Cynodon dactylon L.) as hays in a randomized block design. A 15-d adjustment period was followed by a 5-d collection period during which the hays were fed ad libitum. Alfalfa was higher in CP concentration than either of the grass hays, and CP concentration was greater for Matua bromegrass than Coastal bermudagrass (20.1, 13.2, and 11.9%, respectively). Intake of DM, organic matter, and DDM were greater (P < .01) for alfalfa than for the mean of the grasses expressed as kg/d and g/kg BW^^ while intake of Matua was higher {P < .001) than bermudagrass. Numerical differences in intake between alfalfa and Matua were small (.2% BW). Apparent digestibility of OM was greater (P < .001) for alfalfa (72.5%) than for the mean of the grasses but did not differ between Matua (62.0%) and bermudagrass (58.2%). The apparent digestibility of CP was higher {P < .001) for alfalfa than for the mean of the grasses, and CP digestibility of Matua was greater {P < .001) than bermudagrass. At the end of the digestion trial, each yearling was offered each of the three forage hays during an 1 l-d selection trial. Total intake of forage during the selection trial was not influenced by previous forage fed (mean 9.2 kg/d; SE . 1). During the selection trial, yearhngs consumed less of the forage species to which they had been previously exposed relative to the other treatment groups. However, the degree of difference changed over time (day x previous forage experience interaction; P < .01). Yearlings preferred alfalfa over the grass hays and generally selected more Matua than bermudagrass. These data indicated that Matua is an acceptable hay for horses with intake potential approaching that of alfalfa.