Stenotaphrum secundatum, Buffalo Grass 'Sir James'

Spontaneous mutation: discovered in February 2001 as a superior plant growing among “Common” buffalo grass growing on the breeder’s property at Saltash in the Hunter Valley (NSW). The selected material has smaller (finer) leaves and showed better growth and colour than the parent variety with minimal inputs (water, fertiliser) under stressful climatic conditions. Subsequently, it also showed better leaf colour retention than the parent variety during winter. A vegetative plug taken from the original plant has now undergone four subsequent vegetative divisions to expand the original material for performance trials in NSW and Queensland without showing any discernible off types. Main selection criteria: winter colour retention, small leaves, low fertiliser requirement. Propagation: vegetative. Breeder: Brent Redman, Maitland North, NSW. PBR Certificate Number 2715, Application Number 2002/283, granted 18 March 2005.

Stenotaphrum secundatum, Buffalo Grass 'TF01'

‘TF01’ was selected by the breeder, John Powell, as an isolated and distinctive plant of buffalo grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) growing among kikuyu grass on the banks of the Bellinger River along its tidal reaches where it was occasionally inundated by brackish water during king tides. It showed shorter internodes than existing buffalo grass varieties of comparable texture within the breeder’s knowledge, and showed good colour retention during periods of drought. Initially designated ‘TF01’, the buffalo grass cultivar was trialled for turf adaptation by Turf Force on their Beaudesert turf farm and characterised in a national buffalo grass project coordinated by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Turf Research group initiated in 2005. PBR Certificate Number 3624, Application Number 2007/245, granted 25 September 2008.

Characterization of commercial cultivars and naturalized genotypes of Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze in Australia

Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze, known as "St Augustinegrass" in the USA and "buffalo grass" in Australia, is a widely used turfgrass species in subtropical and warm temperate regions of the world. Throughout its range, S. secundatum encompasses a great deal of genetic diversity, which can be exploited in future breeding programs. To understand better the range of genetic variation in Australia, morphological-agronomic classification and DNA profiling were used to characterize and group 17 commercial cultivars and 18 naturalized genotypes collected from across Australia. Historically, there have been two main sources of S. secundatum in Austalia: one a reputedly sterile triploid race (the so-called Cape deme) from South Africa now represented by the Australian Common group naturalized in all Australian states; and the other a "normal" fertile diploid race naturalized north from Sydney along the NSW coast, which is referred to here as the Australian Commercial group because it has been the source of most of the new cultivars recently developed in Australia. Over the past 30 years, some US cultivars have also been introduced and commercialized; these are again "normal" fertile diploids, but from a group distinclty different from the Australian Commercial genotypes as shown by both DNA analysis and grouping based on 28 morphological-agronomic characteristics. The implications for future breeding within S. secundatum in Australia are discussed.

Response of tropical turfgrasses to recycled water in southern Queensland

The effects of recycled water (effluent) on 8 tropical grasses growing in 100-L bags of sand were studied in Murrumba Downs, just north of Brisbane in southern Queensland (27.4°S, 153.1°E). The species used were: Axonopus compressus (broad-leaf carpetgrass), Cynodon dactylon (bermudagrass 'Winter Green') and C. dactylon x C. transvaalensis hybrid ('Tifgreen'), Digitaria didactyla (Queensland blue couch), Paspalum notatum (bahiagrass '38824'), Stenotaphrum secundatum (buffalograss 'Palmetto'), Eremochloa ophiuroides (centipedegrass 'Centec') and Zoysia japonica (zoysiagrass 'ZT-11'). From May 2002 to June 2003, control plots were irrigated with potable water and fertilised monthly. Plots irrigated with effluent received no fertiliser from May to August 2002 (deficient phase), complete fertilisers at control rates from September to December 2002 (recovery phase) and nitrogen (N) only at control rates from January to June 2003 (supplementary phase). In October 2002, the average shoot weight of plants from the effluent plots was 4% of that from potable plots, with centipedegrass less affected than the other species (relative growth of 20%). Shoot N concentrations declined by 40% in the effluent plots from May to August 2002 (1.8 ± 0.1%) along with phosphorus (P, 0.46 ± 0.02%), potassium (K, 1.6 ± 0.2%), sulfur (S, 0.28 ± 0.02%) and manganese (Mn, 19 ± 2 mg/kg) concentrations. Only the N and Mn concentrations were below the optimum for grasses. The grasses grew satisfactorily when irrigated with effluent if it was supplemented with N. Between January and June 2003 the average weight of shoots from the effluent plots was 116% of the weight of shoots from the control plots. Shoot nutrient concentrations were also similar in the 2 regimes at this time. The recycled water supplied 23% of the N required for maximum shoot growth, 80-100% of the P and K, and 500-880% of the S, calcium and magnesium. The use of recycled water represents savings in irrigation and fertiliser costs, and reductions in the discharge of N and P to local waterways. Effluent is currently about 50% of the cost of potable water with a saving of about AU$8000/ha.year for a typical sporting field.

Nutrient uptake in tropical turfgrasses growing in winter in southern Queensland

The effects of fertilisers on 8 tropical turfgrasses growing in 100-L bags of sand were studied over winter in Murrumba Downs, just north of Brisbane in southern Queensland (latitude 27.4°S, longitude 153.1°E). The species used were: Axonopus compressus (broad-leaf carpetgrass), Cynodon dactylon (bermudagrass 'Winter Green') and C. dactylon x C. transvaalensis hybrid ('Tifgreen'), Digitaria didactyla (Queensland blue couch), Paspalum notatum (bahiagrass '38824'), Stenotaphrum secundatum (buffalograss 'Palmetto'), Eremochloa ophiuroides (centipedegrass 'Centec') and Zoysia japonica (zoysiagrass 'ZT-11'). Control plots were fertilised with complete fertilisers every month from May to September (72 kg N/ha, 31 kg P/ha, 84 kg K/ha, 48 kg S/ha, 30 kg Ca/ha and 7.2 kg Mg/ha), and unfertilised plots received no fertiliser. Carpetgrass and standard bermudagrass were the most sensitive species to nutrient supply, with lower shoot dry weights in the unfertilised plots (shoots mowed to thatch level) compared with the fertilised plots in June. There were lower shoot dry weights in the unfertilised plots in July for all species, except for buffalograss, centipedegrass and zoysiagrass, and lower shoot dry weights in the unfertilised plots in August for all species, except for centipedegrass. At the end of the experiment in September, unfertilised plots were 11% of the shoot dry weights of fertilised plots, with all species affected. Mean shoot nitrogen concentrations fell from 3.2 to 1.7% in the unfertilised plots from May to August, below the sufficiency range for turfgrasses (2.8-3.5%). There were also declines in P (0.45-0.36%), K (2.4-1.5%), S (0.35-0.25%), Mg (0.24-0.18%) and B (9-6 mg/kg), which were all in the sufficiency range. The shoots in the control plots took up the following levels (kg/ha.month) of nutrients: N, 10.0-27.0; P, 1.6-4.0; K, 8.2-19.8; S, 1.0-4.2; Ca, 1.1-3.3; and Mg, 0.8-2.2, compared with applications (kg/ha.month) of: N, 72; P, 31; K, 84; S, 48; Ca, 30; and Mg, 7.2, indicating a recovery of 14-38% for N, 5-13% for P, 10-24% for K, 2-9% for S, 4-11% for Ca and 11-30% for Mg. These results suggest that buffalograss, centipedegrass and zoysiagrass are less sensitive to low nutrient supply than carpetgrass, bermudagrass, blue couch and bahiagrass. Data on nutrient uptake showed that the less sensitive species required only half or less of the nitrogen required to maintain the growth of the other grasses, indicating potential savings for turf managers in fertiliser costs and the environment in terms of nutrients entering waterways.

Establishment and management of salt-tolerant amenity grasses to reduce urban salinity effect

This project built upon the successful outcomes of a previous project (TU02005) by adding to the database of salt tolerance among warm season turfgrass cultivars, through further hydroponic screening trials. Hydroponic screening trials focussed on new cultivars or cultivars that were not possible to cover in the time available under TU02005, including: 11 new cultivars of Paspalum vaginatum; 13 cultivars of Cynodon dactylon; six cultivars of Stenotaphrum secundatum; one accession of Cynodon transvaalensis; 12 Cynodon dactylon x transvaalensis hybrids; two cultivars of Sporobolus virginicus; five cultivars of Zoysia japonica; one cultivar of Z. macrantha, one common form of Z. tenuifolia and one Z. japonica x tenuifolia hybrid. The relative salinity tolerance of different turfgrasses is quantified in terms of their growth response to increasing levels of salinity, often defined by the salt level that equates to a 50% reduction in shoot yield, or alternatively the threshold salinity. The most salt tolerant species in these trials were Sporobolus virginicus and Paspalum vaginatum, consistent with the findings from TU02005 (Loch, Poulter et al. 2006). Cynodon dactylon showed the largest range in threshold values with some cultivars highly sensitive to salt, while others were tolerant to levels approaching that of the more halophytic grasses. Coupled with the observational and anecdotal evidence of high drought tolerance, this species and other intermediately tolerant species provide options for site specific situations in which soil salinity is coupled with additional challenges such as shade and high traffic conditions. By recognising the fact that a salt tolerant grass is not the complete solution to salinity problems, this project has been able to further investigate sustainable long-term establishment and management practices that maximise the ability of the selected grass to survive and grow under a particular set of salinity and usage parameters. Salt-tolerant turf grasses with potential for special use situations were trialled under field conditions at three sites within the Gold Coast City Council, while three sites, established under TU02005 within the Redland City Council boundaries were monitored for continued grass survival. Several randomised block experiments within Gold Coast City were established to compare the health and longevity of seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum), Manila grass (Zoysia matrella), as well as the more tolerant cultivars of other species like buffalo grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) and green couch (Cynodon dactylon). Whilst scientific results were difficult to achieve in the field situation, where conditions cannot be controlled, these trials provided valuable observational evidence of the likely survival of these species. Alternatives to laying full sod such as sprigging were investigated, and were found to be more appropriate for areas of low traffic as the establishment time is greater. Trials under controlled and protected conditions successfully achieved a full cover of Paspalum vaginatum from sprigs in a 10 week time frame. Salt affected sites are often associated with poor soil structure. Part of the research investigated techniques for the alleviation of soil compaction frequently found on saline sites. Various methods of soil de-compaction were investigated on highly compacted heavy clay soil in Redlands City. It was found that the heavy duplex soil of marine clay sediments required the most aggressive of treatments in order to achieve limited short-term effects. Interestingly, a well constructed sports field showed a far greater and longer term response to de-compaction operations, highlighting the importance of appropriate construction in the successful establishment and management of turfgrasses on salt affected sites. Fertiliser trials in this project determined plant demand for nitrogen (N) to species level. This work produced data that can be used as a guide when fertilising, in order to produce optimal growth and quality in the major turf grass species used in public parkland. An experiment commenced during TU02005 and monitored further in this project, investigated six representative warm-season turfgrasses to determine the optimum maintenance requirements for fertiliser N in south-east Queensland. In doing so, we recognised that optimum level is also related to use and intensity of use, with high profile well-used parks requiring higher maintenance N than low profile parks where maintaining botanical composition at a lower level of turf quality might be acceptable. Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) seemed to require the greatest N input (300-400 kg N/ha/year), followed by the green couch (Cynodon dactylon) cultivars ‘Wintergreen’ and ‘FLoraTeX’ requiring approximately 300 kg N/ha/year for optimal condition and growth. ‘Sir Walter’ (Stenotaphrum secundatum) and ‘Sea Isle 1’ (Paspalum vaginatum) had a moderate requirement of approximately 200 kg/ha/year. ‘Aussiblue’ (Digitaria didactyla)maintained optimal growth and quality at 100-200 kg N/ha/year. A set of guidelines has been prepared to provide various options from the construction and establishment of new grounds, through to the remediation of existing parklands by supporting the growth of endemic grasses. They describe a best management process through which salt affected sites should be assessed, remediated and managed. These guidelines, or Best Management Practices, will be readily available to councils. Previously, some high salinity sites have been turfed several times over a number of years (and Council budgets) for a 100% failure record. By eliminating this budgetary waste through targeted workable solutions, local authorities will be more amenable to investing appropriate amounts into these areas. In some cases, this will lead to cost savings as well as resulting in better quality turf. In all cases, however, improved turf quality will be of benefit to ratepayers, directly through increased local use of open space in parks and sportsfields and indirectly by attracting tourists and other visitors to the region bringing associated economic benefits. At the same time, environmental degradation and erosion of soil in bare areas will be greatly reduced.

Diversidade e padrões estruturais da vegetação halófila-psamófila das restingas do Rio de Janeiro

As restingas do Estado do Rio de Janeiro são áreas de sedimentação predominantemente quaternária, descontínuas geograficamente, formadas em função das mudanças paleoclimáticas, flutuações do nível do mar e transporte longitudinal de sedimentos. A diversidade e a estrutura da vegetação halófila-psamófila presente nestas restingas são os principais focos deste estudo, onde foram analisadas a similaridade florística, as formas de vida e síndrome de dispersão, o padrão de riqueza e diversidade, a distribuição das espécies e os parâmetros de cobertura vegetal, serrapilheira, solo desnudo e salinidade da água do mar. Foram amostradas nove áreas de restinga, a saber, Praia do Sul, Marambaia, Grumari, Marapendi, Maricá, Massambaba, Barra de São João, Jurubatiba e São João da Barra. Foram encontradas 90 espécies, distribuídas em 33 famílias, 69 gêneros, sendo as famílias de maior riqueza específica: Asteraceae (10), Poaceae (9 espécies), Fabaceae (9) e Rubiaceae (6). Foi registrada uma baixa riqueza de espécies nas áreas avaliadas, variando de 25 a 48. Somente 11 espécies ocorreram em todas as áreas (Alternanthera maritima, Blutaparon portulacoides, Canavalia rosea, Cereus fernambucensis, Euphorbia hyssopifolia, Ipomoea imperati, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Panicum racemosum, Remirea maritima, Sporobolus virginicus, Stenotaphrum secundatum), e 12 são dominantes, em uma ou mais áreas (Allagoptera arenaria, Alternanthera maritima, Blutaparon portulacoides, Canavalia rosea, Ipomoea imperati, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Mollugo verticillata, Panicum racemosum, Remirea maritima, Spermacoce capitata, Sporobolus virginicus, Stenotaphrum secundatum), existindo um grande número de espécies raras. O índice de diversidade de Shannon variou de 1,49 a 2,40, e a equabilidade de Pielou de 0,82 a 0,60. O agrupamento formou dois grandes grupos, sendo o primeiro constituído por Barra de São João, Praia do Sul, Marambaia, Grumari e Marapendi, e o segundo por Jurubatiba, São João da Barra, Maricá e Massambaba. As áreas mais similares floristicamente foram Maricá e Massambaba (58%), Grumari e Marapendi (56%), e Barra de São João e Praia do Sul (50%). A vegetação apresenta uma flora característica, com diferença na composição entre as áreas, e similaridade entre áreas geograficamente mais próximas. Um terço das espécies identificadas são caméfitos (34,56%), seguida por fanerófitos (20,98%), geófitos (16,04%), hemicriptófitos (12,34%), terófitos (13,58%) e duas lianas. Na dispersão predomina a autocoria (41,97%), anemocoria (33,33%) e zoocoria (24,69%). O tamanho das áreas perpendicularmente ao mar não está relacionado com aumento da riqueza, nem apresenta o padrão de aumento com o distanciamento do mar. Existem diferenças da riqueza e da diversidade entre as áreas, não havendo uma homogeneidade ao longo do litoral. Há uma zonação, com espécies distribuídas próximas ao mar (Allagoptera arenaria, Alternanthera maritima, Blutaparon portulacoides, Canavalia rosea, Cassytha filiformis, Cereus fernambucensis, Hydrocotyle bonariensis, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Schinus terebinthifolia, Sophora tomentosa, Stenotaphrum secundatum, Cyrtocymura scorpioides), e ao longo do gradiente perpendicular ao mar (Chamaecrista flexuosa, Euphorbia hyssopifolia, Ipomoea imperati, Mollugo verticillata, Panicum racemosum, Paspalum maritimum, Remirea maritima, Sporobolus virginicus). O modelo de série logarítmica é o que melhor representa a vegetação, independente da diversidade ou riqueza. A cobertura vegetal variou entre as áreas. A serrapilheira e o solo desnudo estão estreitamente relacionados com a cobertura vegetal, havendo variação entre as áreas.

Efeito do trinexapac-ethyl na anatomia foliar de quatro espécies de grama

Os reguladores de crescimento podem retardar o desenvolvimento vegetativo das plantas de gramas e, assim, reduzir a frequência de cortes; contudo, existem poucas informações referentes aos efeitos desses produtos sobre as estruturas da anatomia foliar. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar os efeitos da aplicação sequencial de duas doses de trinexapac-ethyl sobre a anatomia foliar das espécies de gramas São Carlos (Axonopus compressus), Batatais (Paspalum notatum), Santo Agostinho (Stenotaphrum secundatum) e Esmeralda (Zoysia japonica). Os tratamentos utilizados foram constituídos de duas aplicações sequenciais de trinexapac-ethyl nas doses de 56,5+56,5 e 113,0+113,0 g ha-1; além de uma testemunha sem aplicação, para cada espécie avaliada. Os gramados foram cortados à altura de 3 cm, com auxílio de um aparador de grama motorizado, e, em seguida, foram realizadas as aplicações dos tratamentos. Após 20 dias da primeira aplicação de trinexapac-ethyl, as parcelas foram novamente aparadas à altura de 3 cm e foi realizada a segunda aplicação dos tratamentos. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Aos 70 dias após a segunda aplicação dos tratamentos, foram realizadas as amostragens do material foliar, para as quatro espécies estudadas. Os dados das variáveis quantitativas foram submetidos ao teste estatístico multivariado de análise de componentes principais. Os resultados evidenciaram a formação de três e dois grupos principais, para os caracteres da região da quilha (nervura mediana) e da região da asa (situada entre a nervura mediana e a margem do limbo foliar), respectivamente. de modo geral, em cada formação dos agrupamentos, os tratamentos com trinexapac-ethyl apresentaram maior similaridade entre si, em relação às respectivas testemunhas. Conclui-se que a aplicação sequencial de trinexapac-ethyl alterou algumas estruturas anatômicas da região da quilha e da asa do limbo foliar das espécies de gramas estudadas.

Seletividade de herbicidas aplicados nas gramas Santo Agostinho e Esmeralda

Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar a seletividade de herbicidas aplicados nas gramas Santo Agostinho (Stenotaphrum secundatum) e Esmeralda (Zoysia japonica) em condições de campo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. As gramas foram cortadas a 3 cm de altura e, em seguida, foram feitas as aplicações dos herbicidas. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: testemunha sem aplicação, fluazifop-p-butil (125 g ha-1), sethoxydim+óleo mineral (276 g ha-1 + 0,5% v v-1 de Assist), bispyribac-sodium (25 g ha-1), chlorimuron-ethyl (15 g ha-1), ethoxysulfuron (150 g ha-1), halosulfuron (112,5 g ha-1), iodosulfuron-methyl (10 g ha-1), metsulfuron-methyl (2,4 g ha-1), nicosulfuron (125 g ha-1), pyrithiobac-sodium (140 g ha-1), trifloxysulfuron-sodium (22,5 g ha-1), 2,4-D (720 g ha-1), quinclorac (375 g ha-1), atrazina (1.250 g ha-1), bentazon (600 g ha-1), linuron (1.350 g ha-1), fomesafen (187,5 g ha-1), lactofen (120 g ha-1), oxadiazon (600 g ha-1) e oxyfluorfen (720 g ha-1). Os herbicidas que apresentaram potencial de seletividade para o gramado de S. secundatum foram: os inibidores da ALS chlorimuron-ethyl, ethoxysulfuron, halosulfuron, iodosulfuron-methyl e metsulfuron-methyl, o mimetizador de auxina 2,4-D, os inibidores do fotossistema II atrazina e bentazon, bem como os inibidores da Protox fomesafen, lactofen e o oxadiazon. Para o gramado de Z. japonica, os herbicidas que apresentaram potencial de seletividade foram: os inibidores da ALS chlorimuron-ethyl, ethoxysulfuron, halosulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl e nicosulfuron, os mimetizadores de auxina 2,4-D e quinclorac, os inibidores do fotossistema II atrazina e bentazon, além dos inibidores da Protox fomesafen, lactofen e o oxadiazon.

Produção de tapetes de grama Santo Agostinho submetida a doses de nitrogênio

Nitrogen is the nutrient that provides the greatest turfgrass growth responses and the adequate nitrogen fertilization can provide sod formation in less time and firm to be handled after harvest. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nitrogen levels in the formation of St. Augustinegrass sod. The experiment was conducted in a sod production farm in Itapetininga, SP. The experimental design was a randomized blocks with four replications. The treatments consisted of five N doses: 0, 150, 300, 450 and 600 kg ha(-1), split into three applications. Increased levels of nitrogen affected the soil cover rate by the St. Augustinegrass reducing the time for sod formation. The leaf N concentration and intensity of green grass were influenced by nitrogen doses, and with the rate of green coverage rate (GCR) of soil, can be used to assist in the recommendation of N doses. Rate of 430 kg ha(-1) of N provided the production of St. Augustinegrass sod resistant the harvest and transport, within ten months.

Características morfológicas de gramas em resposta à aplicação de trinexapac-ethyl

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de duas doses de trinexapac-ethyl sobre a morfologia das espécies de gramas São Carlos (Axonopus compressus), Batatais (Paspalum notatum), Santo Agostinho (Stenotaphrum secundatum) e Esmeralda (Zoysia japonica). Os gramados foram cortados à altura de 3 cm no início do experimento e 20 dias depois. Após cada corte, foram realizadas duas aplicações sequenciais de trinexapac-ethyl nas doses de 56,5 + 56,5 e 113,0 + 113,0 g ha-1 , além de uma testemunha sem aplicação, para cada espécie avaliada. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. A redução do crescimento foi avaliada por meio da altura das plantas. Semanalmente, o número e altura de inflorescências foram avaliados por amostragem, realizada em 0,25 m² no centro das parcelas; no final do experimento, avaliou-se a massa seca total. A aplicação do trinexapac-ethyl retardou o crescimento vegetativo e a emissão das inflorescências, assim como não provocou danos aparentes nos gramados. O uso do trinexapac-ethyl nos gramados avaliados pode reduzir a necessidade de cortes em até 55 dias após a segunda aplicação.

Desenvolvimento vegetativo de quatro espécies de grama irrigadas com efluente doméstico

This research aimed to compare the development of four grasses species irrigated by dripping with an effluent from a domestic wastewater station treatment in a small rural community, and supply water from Sabesp. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the FCA/UNESP (Botucatu - SP) for 12 months in a completely randomized 4 × 3 factorial design, with four replications, totalizing 48 parcels. Grass species used in this experiment were: Santo Agostinho (Stenotaphrum secandatum (Walt.) Kuntze); Bermudas (Cynodum dactylon); Esmeralda (Zoysia japônica) and São Carlos (Axnopus sp). The treatments were: T1- Irrigation with re-use; T2- Irrigation with re-use + chemical fertilization and T3- Irrigation with supply water from Sabesp + chemical fertilization (control). Data were submitted to comparison of means by Tukey's test at 5 %. The results showed that nitrogen in the wastewater was enough for the good development of the grass species. However, its use caused higher potassium loss.

Evaluation of ornamental grasses submitted to water stress

The work was carried out at the College of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences of the State University of São Paulo (UNESP/FCAV), Campus of Jaboticabal, Brazil, aiming to study the tolerance response to water stress and capacity of regeneration after mowing three different ornamental grasses used in Brazilian landscaping: Imperial zoysia grass (Zoysia japonica 'Imperial'), zoysia grass (Zoysia japonica) and St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum). The experimental design was entirely randomized in a factorial scheme 33 (three grass species: Zoysia japonica 'Imperial', Zoysia japonica and Stenotaphrum secundatum; in three water stress conditions: under full sun, with and without irrigation, and under greenhouse conditions without irrigation) with four replications per plot. The irrigation was performed using microsprinklers with a flow of 0.28 L s-1, and the grasses of all plots were mowed monthly. The evaluations were executed monthly, before mowing the grass, in the beginning of each season, that means, in October (for Spring evaluation), January (for Summer), April (for Autumn) and July (for Winter), considering the Brazilian climate conditions. The evaluated parameters were shoot height and total dry mass. The data were submitted to the variance analysis and the means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% confidence level. The grasses grown under greenhouse conditions, without irrigation, showed higher height and lower dry mass weight averages, what possibly indicates that the plants etiolated. The grasses grown under full sun, either with or without irrigation, showed a similar plant development. The S. secundatum species showed greater tolerance to water stress in October, month that followed the longest dry period. The total dry mass was gradually reduced during the experiment for all grasses grown under greenhouse conditions without irrigation; however, a great general tolerance to water stress was observed for all grasses because all of them survived along nine months without irrigation.

Desenvolvimento vegetativo de quatro espécies de grama irrigadas com efluente de estação de tratamento de esgoto doméstico

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Seletividade de herbicidas aplicados sobre espécies de gramas em relação às características morfo-anatômicas foliares

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)