Zoysiagrass Sod Establishment along Guardrails: Evaluation of Cultivars, Soil Preparation Techniques, and Planting Timings

Abstract

Appropriately designed and installed guardrails are structures that enhance motorist safety; however, their inherent design requires additional vegetation management inputs to maintain safe, acceptable driving conditions. Establishing low‐growing, perennial vegetation under guardrails may reduce long‐term management inputs. Field research was initiated 17 Dec. 2012 and 3 Dec. 2013 along guardrails in Chatham, Lee, and Yadkin Counties, NC, to evaluate the effect of establishment timing (December, March, April, or May) and soil preparation technique (tillage alone, tillage + bed preparation, or vegetation strip) on ‘El Toro’ (Zoysia japonica Steud.) and ‘Zeon’ [Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr.] zoysiagrass sod establishment and spread along guardrails. Sod establishment in year 1 was successful (>60% cover) across cultivars, locations, and techniques at December and March timings, with cover ranging from 64 to 90% at 90 wk after initial establishment. April and May timings resulted in inconsistent establishment success and are not recommended for North Carolina. Year 2 sodding generally resulted in unsuccessful establishment, which may be due in part to colder winter and dryer spring–summer conditions compared with year 1. Overall, El Toro sod more readily established and spread than Zeon, suggesting that it is a better species for establishment along guardrails. Tillage alone resulted in equivalent or greater sod establishment and spread than tillage + bed preparation and vegetation stripping, and it also requires fewer equipment and personnel inputs. Results suggest that El Toro sod planted in March following soil tillage is the most promising practice for establishment along North Carolina guardrails; however, water inputs may be required during moisture‐deficient periods following planting.

Zoysiagrass (Zoysiaspp.) History, Utilization, and Improvement in the United States: A Review

“…Zoysiagrass also makes an excellent roadside grass for these same reasons, although few acres of roadsides in the United States are planted with this species. While recent research has examined best department of transportation sod establishment practices and determined that long‐term maintenance costs can be reduced with zoysiagrass use (Jeffries et al, 2017), the lack of available seed and the slow establishment from seed remain as barriers to more widespread use of zoysiagrass on roadsides. Slow establishment is particularly problematic on roadsides, as USEPA policy, via the Clean Water Act, specifies that 70% of the soil surface must be vegetatively covered within 30 d of planting (USEPA, 2003).…”

Sod production in Brazil

“…This was the first protected grass cultivar on the Brazilian market, selected by agricultural engineer Roberto Gurgel (Google Patents, 2000). Emerald and Imperial grass stand out for their versatility, as they can be used in ornamental lawns and recreational, sports and functional turfs; low maintenance (good resistance to traffic and slow growth); high adaptability to different climates and soils in the regions of Brazil; and good availability throughout the country (Jeffries, et al, 2017;Patton et al, 2017;Sod Solutions, 2020a). These turfs are tolerant to half shade, salinity and drought and are harvested in sods, rolls or large rolls, at cutting heights ranging from 13 to 64 mm (Patton et al, 2017).…”