Abstract
Abstract Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) is a native species widely found on highways margins, however, cutting practices are necessary, which increase the maintenance cost, being an alternative, the use of growth regulators, such as Paclobutrazol. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the use of Paclobutrazol doses as growth regulator in Bahiagrass. The turf was implanted in black plastic containers (8.46 L), previously prepared with the mixture of soil + sand + organic compost (1:1:1). The experimental design was completely randomized, composed of 3 doses of Paclobutrazol [1.1 and 2.2 kg a.i. (active ingredient) ha-1 + control (0 kg a.i. ha-1)], in four applications of 2 L of syrup per container, thus forming a factorial 3x4 (doses x response time) with 3 repetitions. The fresh and dry mass, relative chlorophyll index, leaf N and the visual aspect of the green cover rate were evaluated on four different dates. It was observed that the product controlled the growth of the lawn, with less production of fresh and dry mass, and increase of the relative index of chlorophyll and concentration of leaf nitrogen; however, it decreased turfgrass density of green mass, which influenced the visual lawn aspect. Thus, Paclobutrazol controlled Bahiagrass growth at a dose of 2.2 Kg a.i. ha-1 in regular applications of 30 to 45 days, however it affected the density and consequently the aesthetics of the turfgrass.
Highlights
Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) is a grass species native of South America, including Brazil, which highlights for its aesthetics, functionality and rusticity (Amaral and Castilho, 2012; Steiner et al, 2017; Souza et al, 2020a)
Research on Bahiagrass has gained prominence to be used for this purpose (Souza et al, 2016; Silva et al, 2018; Maximino et al, 2017; Souza et al, 2020b) and recently being launched commercial cultivars of Paspalum notatum registered by EMBRAPA (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) (Souza et al, 2020a)
Results demonstrate for fresh mass that there was statistically significant difference between Paclobutrazol applied doses, and it was observed that the highest concentration (2.2 kg a.i. ha-1) managed to reduce growth at 28 and 55 days after the installation of the experiment (DAIE), differing from control
Summary
Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) is a grass species native of South America, including Brazil, which highlights for its aesthetics, functionality and rusticity (Amaral and Castilho, 2012; Steiner et al, 2017; Souza et al, 2020a). Most lawns formed by this grass are the result of planting by “pieces” collected manually in degraded pasture areas because the commercial availability of this species is scarce (Souza et al, 2020a). Research on Bahiagrass has gained prominence to be used for this purpose (Souza et al, 2016; Silva et al, 2018; Maximino et al, 2017; Souza et al, 2020b) and recently being launched commercial cultivars of Paspalum notatum registered by EMBRAPA (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) (Souza et al, 2020a)
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