Abstract
ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sequential applications of plant regulators on growth and seedhead emergence of Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum). The study was carried out on a 15-month-old lawn, in a randomized block design, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of the following plant-growth regulators and dose: trinexapac-ethyl in sequential application of 113 + 113, 226 + 113, 226 + 226, 452 + 113, 452 + 226, 452 + 452 g a.i. ha-1; trinexapac-ethyl in single application of 678 and 904 g a.i. ha-1; and prohexadione-calcium in sequential application of 100 + 100 and 200 + 200 g a.i. ha-1, besides a control, with no application. The effects of treatments were evaluated based on visual injury, plant height, height and number of flower rachises and total dry matter production of clippings. Sequential applications of prohexadione-calcium at 100 + 100 or 200 + 200 g a.i. ha-1 were efficient to reduce plant height, but did not show efficacy to reduce the number and height of seedheads or the total dry matter of clippings of Bahiagrass. However, Bahiagrass lawns can be managed by trinexapac-ethyl sequential applications of 452 + 452 g a.i. ha-1 or single application of 904 g a.i. ha-1, with reduction in the need for mowing for a period of up to 113 days after application, without causing any deleterious effect on the visual aspect of the lawn.
Highlights
Bahiagrass, ‘Forquilha’ grass, ‘São Sebastião’ grass, ‘Pensacola’ grass and ‘Cuiabano’ grass are some of the common names by which the species Paspalum notatum Flügge is regionally known
Reductions above 70% in flower rachis emergence were obtained when trinexapac-ethyl was used in sequential application at 226 + 113, 226 + 226, 452 + 113, 452 + 226, 452 + 452 and in single applications at the doses of 678 and 904 g a.i. ha-1
None of the growth inhibitors reduced the visual quality of Paspalum notatum
Summary
Bahiagrass, ‘Forquilha’ grass, ‘São Sebastião’ grass, ‘Pensacola’ grass and ‘Cuiabano’ grass are some of the common names by which the species Paspalum notatum Flügge is regionally known. Its vigorous growth brings the disadvantage of requiring constant mowing operations in order to maintain height uniformity and visual quality of the lawn. 5 to 7 mowing operations are necessary during the growth season, which must be performed at the mean height of 5.0 cm from the soil surface (Hirata & Pakiding, 2003; Islan & Hirata, 2005; Bao & Hirata, 2006). The best visual quality and covering pattern of the lawn are obtained when mowing, for Bahiagrass, is performed every four days at a mean height of 3.0 cm (Hirata & Pakiding, 2003). Successive mowing operations, especially between the months of spring and summer, are the main source of costs in maintaining lawns, which, associated with the amount of clippings and the tiring activities of piling, carrying and transporting the clippings, have become the main factor of rejection to the use of the technique (Marchi et al, 2013b)
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