The Relationship of Several Amended Soils and Compaction Rates on Vegetative Growth, Root Development and Cold Resistance of ‘Tifgreen’ Bermudagrass1

Abstract

Abstract A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the relationship between milled pine bark amended soils (0, 25, and 50% pine bark mixed with soil, by volume), and applied compaction rates (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 psi) on vegetative growth, root development, and cold tolerance of ‘Tifgreen’ bermudagrass. One-half of the unamended soil and of the pine bark amended soils was also overlain with a 3-inch milled pine bark layer (cushion) in an attempt to absorb compaction forces. Soil compaction significantly reduced top and root development of the bermudagrass. Forty to 60 psi represented the point at which soil compaction became a severely limiting factor in turf growth. A 3-inch surface layer of pine bark offset the value of incorporating pine bark as a soil amendment. Amending the soil with pine bark (up to 50% by volume) increased vegetative growth and root development of turf and delayed the onset of adverse conditions caused by soil compaction. ‘Tifgreen’ bermudagrass recovered best from low temperature (-9.4°C for 5 hr) exposure when grown in soils receiving compaction pressures less than 40 psi and which were amended with 50% milled pine bark, 25% milled pine bark, or were unamended.