Establishment of Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass by Seed

Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon var dactylon (L.) Pers.] and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) cultivars established by seed are desirable for golf and athletic turfs because of minimum establishment costs, but little is known about their management during establishment. Seeding dates, seeding rates, post‐seeding N fertility, and herbicide safety on seedling ‘Mirage’ bermudagrass and ‘Zenith’ zoysiagrass were investigated in Indiana and Kentucky. Under the conditions of our studies, optimum bermudagrass establishment occurred when seeded 1 June to 15 July at 12 to 49 kg ha−1, when >950 growing degree days (GDD, 5°C base) accumulated by first frost and when 49 kg ha−1 N mo−1 was applied. Earlier seeding dates provided more bermudagrass cover after the first winter. Optimum zoysiagrass establishment occurred when seeded from 1 to 15 June at 49 to 98 kg ha−1, when > 1750 GDD accumulated by first frost, and when 49 kg ha−1 N mo−1 was applied. Increasing N from 49 kg ha−1 mo−1 to 98 kg ha−1 mo−1 did not hasten establishment of either species. Quinclorac applied at 0.84 kg ha−1 following seeding (PRE) or 0 to 28 wk after emergence (WAE) did not reduce bermudagrass and zoysiagrass coverage, but dithiopyr applied at 0.56 kg ha−1 before 1 WAE reduced coverage of both species. Siduron was not safe for use when seeding bermudagrass. Seeding bermudagrass or zoysiagrass instead of sprigging or sodding will allow managers to establish these turfs quickly and at minimal cost.