Cold Hardiness of ‘Midiron’ and ‘Tifgreen’ Bermudagrass

Abstract

Abstract Electrolyte leakage and regrowth tests were used to estimate cold hardiness levels of field-grown ‘Midiron’ and ‘Tifgreen’ bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis crowns. The two procedures were in close agreement. ‘Midiron’ was hardier than ‘Tifgreen’ on all sampling dates. Greatest levels of freeze tolerance were –11°C for ‘Midiron’ and –7° for Tifgreen’ during December and January, ‘Midiron’ was killed at –5° in early June while ‘Tifgreen’ had lost all freeze tolerance by this date. Although the electrolyte leakage procedure was rapid and required no greenhouse space, it was relatively difficult to set up and evaluate.