Growth of Common Bermudagrass as Influenced by Plant Growth Regulators, Soil Type and Nitrogen Fertility

Abstract An experiment was conducted on common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] in the greenhouse using three soil types, four nitrogen(N) levels and three plant growth regulators. Growth response was compared to a control. Cutting biomass, cumulative height, turf color, and evapotranspiration were studied over a 9 week period. Cutless® (flurprimidol) reduced cumulative height by as much as 83% and water consumption by as much as 27%. Embark® (mefluidide) and Limit® (amidochlor) did not provide significant long-term height suppression at any rate or any N level on the three soils. Biomass, cummulative height and color ratings of the bermudagrass were higher on the loam and clay soils compared to the sandy loam soil after growth regulators were applied. Phytotoxicity was observed in the form of leaf tip dieback and discoloration only with Cutless®. Turf discoloration was offset by increased nitrogen levels. However, nitrogen reduced the efficacy of Cutless®. By the ninth week, on the sandy loam s...