Research On Adaptation Of The New Buffalograss Cultivars And Nutrients Management In Northern China

In our country, existent buffalograss genotypes are older and single with bad turf-characteristics because of lack of breeding and maintenance research. Therefore, two experiments were conducted in The Teaching and Demonstration Farm of Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, during 2004-2005. In one of experiments, with recently six buffalograss cultivars, namely "Cody", "Sharpshooter", "Texoka", "Tatanka", "Bison" and "Bowie", as experimental materials in field, ecological adaptability and turf-characteristics were evaluated. In another experiment, with buffalograss cultivars "Cody" and "SharpShooter" as potted plant experiment materials, the effects of different nitrogen and phosphorus rate on the development, characteristics of nutrient requirement and turf quality were studied. The main results summarized as follows.1. The growing characteristics were significantly different among the cultivars (P<0.05). The seedling vigor of cultivars from good to bad as followed: Texoka > Cody > Bowie > SharpShooter > Bison > Tatanka. When the weed level is not serious, the complete coverage of Texoka, Cody and Bowie occurred one week sooner than SharpShooter, Bison and Tatanka. The clipping yield was significantly different among cultivars, which of Texoka and Tatanka was the most and the least respectively. In the procreate period, the clipping yield of cultivars from the most to the least as followed: Texoka > Cody > Bison > Bowie > SharpShooter > Tatanka, so Texoka, Cody and Bison exhibited higher growth habit. Buffalograss may have two fast growth period in its procreate period because the growth rate of all cultivars in mid and late August exhibited a slightly ascending tendency.2. The turf quality and diseases resistance were significantly different among the cultivars. Texoka, Bison and Cody exhibited better fall color, but density, texture and uniformity of Texoka and Bison were bad. Tatanka and SharpShooter exhibited the best density, texture and uniformity, but their fall color was also the worst. Cody exhibited better density and fall color, therefore its turf quality was the best in fall. The results demonstrated that Tatanka, SharpShooter, Cody and Bowie exhibited better extending capacity and creepy habit. The diseases resistance was only significantly different in the late-growing season. Cody, SharpShooter, Texoka and Bison exhibited better diseases resistance. The diseases resistance of Tatanka was the poorest.