Effect of N Fertilization and Simazine on Yield, Protein, Amino‐acid Content, and Carotenoid Pigments of Coastal Bermudagrass1

Abstract

AbstractReports of increased protein levels in several plant species with simazine treatments prompted this study of the response of coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) to simazine. Simazine was applied at rates ranging from 0 to 4.5 kg/ha on an old sod of coastal bermudagrass. Additional variables were N fertilization (56 to 672 kg/ha) and cutting frequency (3 and 6 weeks). Nitrogen fertilization and cutting frequency significantly affected yields of dry matter and protein. Simazine applications had no effect on dry‐matter yield, protein yield, or protein percentage. Carotene and xanthophyll contents of the grass increased with an increase in N fertilization from 336 to 672 kg/ha. Carotene content of the grass tended to increase due to simazine treatment with 360 kg/ha N and to decrease with 672 kg/ha. Samples were analyzed for 15 amino acids, and differences between the amino‐acid profile of the protein from check and simazine‐treated samples suggested that simazine may alter amino acid composition of protein.