Influence of temperature on the growth of bermudagrass selections from the Appalachian region

Abstract

The hilly terrain of the Appalachian region creates an environment in which large differences in soil temperature occur over a very short distance on the landscape. The ability of a grass to display adequate growth over a range of temperatures would greatly enhance its adaptability and use as a forage or for soil conservation. A growth chamber experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of temperature on the growth of six bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] selections from the Appalachian region. Midland, a cold tolerant bermudagrass, was included in the study for comparison purposes. The grasses were grown under a 14 hour day length with three day/night temperature regimes: 18°C/13°C, 27°C/21°C, and 35^OC/29°C. Two of the selections had significantly higher dry matter production than Midland over the range of temperatures.

This effect was especially pronounced at 35°C where the top growth of Quicksand common and Selection 13 exceeded that of Midland by 206% and 158%, respectively. The higher yielding selections were comparable to the other bermudagrasses when mineral concentrations, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin levels were considered. Both Quicksand common and Selection 13 seem to have the potential to be particularily useful on south facing slopes where elevated soil temperatures are encountered.

Key words:

• Cvnodon dactylon L.
• forage yield
• forage quality