Shade and Traffic Tolerance Varies for Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass Cultivars

Abstract

AbstractBermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) and zoysiagrass [Zoysia spp. (Willd.)] are two of the most commonly used turfgrass species in the southern United States. Shade from trees is common on golf courses and limits turfgrass growth. Additionally, turfgrasses used on golf courses and sports fields are often subjected to traffic. The objective of this study was to evaluate shade and traffic effects on bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. Two shade treatments were imposed, full sun or 49% shade, using a light reducing fabric. A Cady Traffic Simulator was used to implement traffic stress. The cultivars with the highest coverage in shade without traffic were ‘Cavalier’, ‘Diamond’, ‘El Toro’, ‘Meyer’, ‘Palisades’, and ‘Zorro’ zoysiagrass, as well as ‘Princess 77’ and ‘Riviera’ bermudagrass. ‘Patriot’, ‘Tifsport’, and ‘Tifway’ bermudagrass and ‘Zenith’ zoysiagrass typically had the lowest coverage. Patriot bermudagrass and Zenith zoysiagrass consistently had the lowest coverage in shaded trafficked plots. El Toro, Palisades, and Zorro zoysiagrass as well as Princess 77, Riviera, Tifsport, and Tifway bermudagrass had the highest coverage (>72%) when trafficked under full sun for 4 wk. Coverage in shaded plots was decreased more from traffic than full‐sun plots. Riviera and Tifway bermudagrass had the most coverage after 6 wk of traffic in full sun. These studies identified cultivars of bermudagrass and zoysiagrass that perform better under reduced light and traffic stress.