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Bermudagrass
is an important forage crop in the Deep South and the most productive
varieties are hybrids that must be established vegetatively, as opposed to
being established from seed. The reason is while hybrid bermudagrasses
produce seedheads, they produce few seed and any seed produced are usually
not viable.
Dr.
Glenn Burton, who worked at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in
Tifton, Georgia, developed the first improved hybrid variety Coastal by
crossing two productive strains of bermudagrass. An even more impressive
accomplishment was he subsequently convinced farmers it would be
worthwhile to go to the trouble of vegetatively establishing bermudagrass,
a plant that prior to that time had been mainly viewed as a troublesome
weed in cotton. Coastal is still a good hybrid variety, but others widely
planted in Alabama today include Russell, Tifton 44, and Tifton 85.
Generally,
propagation of hybrid bermudagrasses is done by "sprigs," which
are actually bermudagrass roots. Propagation with sprigs is probably the
most dependable method of obtaining a stand of a hybrid bermudagrass and
is a good option for many producers. We are fortunate in Alabama to have
numerous people around the state who are in the business of commercially
planting bermudagrass sprigs. These folks have expertise and the right
equipment to dig and plant bermudagrass sprigs and they perform a valuable
service.
However,
there is another way to vegetatively propagate hybrid bermudagrass and
that is by using green clippings. This approach is not used as commonly as
sprigging because it involves much more physical labor, but does have the
advantage of being less expensive than hiring someone to dig and plant
sprigs. Because there is not as much out-of-pocket expense involved, some
people reason using this technique becomes more feasible in late spring or
early summer when the optimum time for sprig planting has passed. In other
words, there is less financial loss if a stand is not obtained.
A
critical concept for anyone who is considering establishing bermudagrass
from clippings is that not every variety is equally well suited to be
established in this manner. Of the varieties previously mentioned, Tifton
85 and Russell are probably the most suitable to establish using
clippings, with Coastal being a bit more difficult but still acceptable.
Tifton 44 is not well-suited to establishment with clippings.
The
first step in establishing bermudagrass with clippings is to prepare a
fresh seedbed by turning (if necessary), disking and smoothing the area to
be planted, preferably several weeks prior to planting. Any lime
recommended by a soil test should be applied and worked into the soil at
this time. Phosphorus and potassium recommended by soil test can also be
applied. If the field is tilled well ahead of planting and a thick stand
of weeds has appeared, it may be necessary to either disk or spray a
non-selective herbicide on the field just prior to planting the clippings
in order to eliminate them.
Weather
is an important consideration in establishing any crop, but establishment
of hybrid bermudagrass from clippings definitely requires the right
conditions and good timing. It is important to plant when ample soil
moisture is available. In addition, a good, slow rain after planting
greatly improves the likelihood of success. Planting can be done anytime
from around early June to late August, but the early portion of this time
period is best, because rain is usually more dependable and the grass has
more time (especially in North Alabama) to develop a root system before
winter.
Obviously
it is necessary to have access to an established stand of hybrid
bermudagrass from which clippings can be obtained. The standing grass
should be cut when it is around 15 to 20 inches high. (Note it needs to be
at a later stage of maturity than agronomists normally recommend for
cutting bermudagrass for hay, as on each stem there needs to be several
nodes capable of generating roots). The time to propagate is when the
grass has reached this stage and there is moisture in the prepared
seedbed. Mowing and windrowing should be done early in the morning when
the grass is wet with heavy dew or rain, and planting should be done as
soon after mowing as possible. Cloudy, cool weather is desirable.
The
clippings should be loaded onto a truck or manure spreader and broadcast
over the area to be planted (loosely baling the green material to
facilitate moving it may also work if the grass is unrolled and spread
within a few hours). This should be immediately followed by lightly
disking and cultipacking. Ideally, a high percentage of the clippings
should be partially covered with soil and partially exposed to sunlight.
Generally, an area in which bermudagrass is 15 to 20 inches tall will
furnish enough clippings to cover an area five to eight times larger. |
