Correlations Between Hybrid Bermudagrass Morphology and Wear Tolerance

Abstract

<jats:p>Hybrid bermudagrasses (<jats:italic>Cynodon dactylon</jats:italic> × <jats:italic>C. transvaalensis</jats:italic>) typically have excellent wear tolerance when compared with other turfgrass species. This trait should be evaluated during variety development to reduce the risk of failure when new grasses are planted in areas with traffic stress. The objective of this research was to evaluate the wear tolerance of four hybrid bermudagrasses with differing morphological characteristics. Traffic was applied to the hybrid bermudagrass varieties ‘Tifway’, ‘TifSport’, and ‘TifTuf’, as well as an experimental hybrids (04-76) using a traffic simulator for 6 weeks. Leaf morphology (leaf width, length, and angle) and quantitative measure of density and color [normalized difference vegetation index ratio (NDVI), dark green color index (DGCI), and percent green turf color] were characterized before traffic, and then percent green turf color after 6 weeks of traffic was measured to estimate wear tolerance. ‘TifTuf’ hybrid bermudagrass provided the greatest wear tolerance, as well as the narrowest and shortest leaf lengths, greatest NDVI values and percent green color, and lowest DGCI before traffic. Conversely, 04-76 produced the poorest wear tolerance, as well as the widest and longest leaves, lowest NDVI values and percent green color, and highest DGCI values before traffic. Regression analysis determined that DGCI, leaf length, and leaf width were inversely, or negatively, correlated to wear tolerance, whereas percent green turf color before traffic was directly correlated to wear tolerance. For these hybrids, DGCI had the strongest correlation to increased wear tolerance.</jats:p>

Molecular Dissection of Quantitative Variation in Bermudagrass Hybrids (Cynodon dactylonxtransvaalensis): Morphological Traits

“…In the current study, GxE ( i.e. , location) interaction for leaf traits was not significant, which is consistent with Wofford and Baltensperger (1985) and Kowalewski et al (2015), and provided a statistical basis for combined data analysis across years for the two traits. We thus used separate environment phenotypes as well as combined analysis for QTL detection.…”

“…, biomass, growth rate and habit) (Pittman et al 2015; Sripathi et al 2013; Wu et al 2007) and can find use as an indirect selection index for improved pasture, biomass, and turf characteristics. Similarly, selection of improved wear (or traffic) tolerance can be achieved indirectly by selecting for morphological traits such as internode length (Wood and Law 1974), leaf length (Kowalewski et al 2015), and leaf width (Kowalewski et al 2015; Shearman and Beard 1975). Preliminary findings of Kowalewski et al (2015) suggest that shorter and finer leaves result in increased wear tolerance in bermudagrass.…”

“…Similarly, selection of improved wear (or traffic) tolerance can be achieved indirectly by selecting for morphological traits such as internode length (Wood and Law 1974), leaf length (Kowalewski et al 2015), and leaf width (Kowalewski et al 2015; Shearman and Beard 1975). Preliminary findings of Kowalewski et al (2015) suggest that shorter and finer leaves result in increased wear tolerance in bermudagrass. Similarly, stolon growth rate and stolon length were found to be good predictors of establishment speed in Cynodon spp.…”

Genetic Variability of Traffic Tolerance and Surface Playability of Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) under Fall Simulated Traffic Stress

“…A separate study conducted in Oklahoma determined Riviera, 'OKC1134' (hereafter referred to as NorthBridge V R ), and 'OKC1119' (hereafter referred to as Latitude 36 V R ) as the most traffic tolerant among 40 bermudagrasses (Segars 2013). 'DT-1' (hereafter referred to as TifTuf V R ) was shown to have improved traffic tolerance compared with 'Tifway' under 6 weeks of 12 traffic-simulated events (Kowalewski et al 2015). However, we are unaware of the genetic variability of traffic tolerance and whether variations in traffic tolerance are heritable.…”

Planting Rate and Nitrogen Fertility Affect Runoff Losses during Hybrid Bermudagrass Establishment

“…B ermudagrass is a dense, vigorous turfgrass with excellent heat, drought, and wear tolerances (Kowalewski et al, 2015;Su et al, 2013) for athletic fields, home lawns, and right-of-ways in the southern United States. However, unlike common bermudagrass species, which are propagated through seed, many high-quality bermudagrass cultivars are vegetatively propagated through sod or sprigs (McCarty and Miller, 2002).…”