Abstract

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) is a widely used roadside cover for the humid subtropics, but it can be slow and difficult to establish.  Field tests were performed to determine optimum seeding rate and selection of genotype.  Under weedy, non-irrigated conditions, Rapid Coverage Polycross (RCP-1) bahiagrass had higher establishment ratings in the second growing season than 'Pensacola' and 'Argentine.'   For acceptable establishment, seeding rates of 17 and 12 g m^-2 (150 and 100 lb/acre) would be required for Argentine and RCP-1, respectively.  Pensacola establishment was unacceptable at any seeding rate, up to 19 g m^-2, (170 lb/acre).  Under weed-free conditions, and in the absence of millet (Panicum sp.) acceptable 2-month establishment required 13 and 16 g m^-2 (120 and 140 lb/acre) seeding rates, respectively, for Argentine and Pensacola.  Under weed-free conditions, high (>13 g m^-2) seeding rates conferred no advantage to long-term (9-months) performance.  Millet inter-seeded with bahiagrass was deleterious to bahiagrass germination and subsequent establishment ratings.  In spaced-plant evaluations, Rapid Coverage Polycross (RCP-2, or increase generation from RCP-1) had 12% and 61% faster lateral growth compared with Pensacola and Argentine, respectively.  RCP-2 was superior to RCP-1 in visual coverage ratings.  A dwarf bahiagrass, P3C1, which had shorter culms and finer texture than all other genotypes, had lateral growth equal to Pensacola.