Bahiagrass, Paspalum notatum Fluegge, used widely on roadsides and large turf areas, has an open habit of growth. Because bahiagrass is often mown tall and has poor shade tolerance, its most damaging weed problems are taller species such as smutgrass, Sporobolus indicus (L.) R.Br., paragrass, Panicum purpurascens Raddi, and napiergrass, Pennisetum typhimureum Schumach. Occasionally, however, opportunistic species such as crowfootgrass, Dactyloctenium aegypticum (L.) Willd., invade damaged bahiagrass rights-of-way. Delayed fertilization of seedling bahiagrass results in fewer weeds and better second-year turf establishment ratings compared with fertilization at the time of seeding (Busey, 1992). Ecological management involving proper establishment has the greatest potential for weed reduction in low-maintenance situations such as roadsides.

References

Busey, P. 1992. Seedling growth, fertilization timing, and establishment of bahiagrass. Crop Sci. 32:1099-1103.

27 October 1998