Bur seeding rate effects on turf-type buffalograss establishment

Little or no research information exists in the literature regarding recommended seeding rates of unproved turf-type buffalograss (Buchloë dactyloides) cultivars, like 'Bowie'. This research was conducted to determine the effect of bur seeding rate on turfgrass establishment of 'Bowie' buffalograss. Two experiments were initiated on 21 July 2002 on diverse sites at the John Seaton Anderson Turfgrass Research Facility located near Mead, Nebr. Bur seeding rate effects on turfgrass quality, shoot density and cover, and seedling density were evaluated during the 2002 and 2003 growing seasons. Burs were seeded at 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 g·m^-2 (0.51, 1.0, 2.0, 4.1, and 8.2 lb/1000 ft²) of pure live seed (PLS). Turfgrass quality ratings increased linearly with bur seeding rate during the first growing season. However, by early in the second growing season, the response was quadratic with little or no difference in quality between 10 and 40 g·m^-2. Turfgrass cover ratings responded in a similar manner to the quality ratings. Buffalograss is reported to establish slowly, taking more than one growing season to establish an acceptable level. In this study, 'Bowie', a turf-type cultivar, had acceptable turfgrass quality (≥5.0) and cover (≥75%) ratings by 3 months at bur seeding rates of 5 to 40 g·m^-2 of PLS, and acceptable quality and cover ratings were obtained at slightly over 1 month at rates of 20 to 40 g·m^-2. These results indicate that bur seeding rates of 20 to 40 g·m ^-2 are advisable where rapid establishment of turf-type buffalograss is desired, and rates as low as 5 g·m^-2 can be used when establishment within two growing seasons is deemed reasonable.