The objective of this research was to study the effect of different nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) rates on growth and nutrient content of hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis) grown in pots for nursery purposes (producing stolons to obtain one-node sprigs to be used as propagation material). Starting from control N, P, and K rates (314, 52, and 198 mg·L−1 substrate, respectively), each element was reduced to zero, halved, doubled, or tripled while the other two were kept unchanged (13 treatments in all). As expected, N, P, and K proved to be necessary for plant growth and development. In fact, when one element was not supplied, plants showed reduced growth and pale-green color. The dry weight of aerial part (shoots plus stolons) was mainly affected by N and increased along with this element with a nonlinear less than proportional trend. Phosphorus had a larger effect than N or K on the number of primary stolons, which varied along with P rate fitting a nonlinear regression model. Potassium rate influenced the characteristics of primary stolons (length, number of nodes, and ramifications) more than N or P. A significant linear regression was observed for the number of ramifications (secondary stolons), while stolon length and the number of nodes fit a nonlinear regression model. Plant growth response to the imposed rates revealed the possibility to halve N or P in respect to control rates, while for K the control rate proved to be necessary. In fact, when K rate was halved, the number of nodes, which is a main parameter for nursery purposes, significantly decreased. Half N, half P, and control K rates also ensured a satisfactory plant mineral composition, consistent with values previously reported for bermudagrass. Potassium competition with both calcium and magnesium was observed. Nitrogen, P, or K rates higher than the respective controls are not advisable since they did not enhance plant growth or mineral content.
