Description
Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is considered the most valuable warm-season perennial grass for hay producers in the Southeastern United States. Bermudagrass genotypes have overall good forage quality, high yields, and store well. However, there are challenges to producing good hay for the market. First, early green-up in the spring is needed to allow for four to five productive clippings during the summer. When first establishing production fields, quick emergence and cover are important for reducing weeds. Forage bermudagrass is somewhat tolerant to drought, however, low rainfall substantially reduces yields. If rainfall is too abundant, it is difficult to have timely curing in the field for baling. This is especially true for the higher quality thick-stemmed cultivars such as Tifton 85. More recently, the bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM, Atherigona reversura) has caused yield reductions and reduced net income for hay producers. Plant breeding has attempted to address all these issues. This talk will highlight some areas of research that has been done over the past few decades to improve bermudagrass for hay production.
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Genetic Improvement of Bermudagrass for Hay Producers
Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is considered the most valuable warm-season perennial grass for hay producers in the Southeastern United States. Bermudagrass genotypes have overall good forage quality, high yields, and store well. However, there are challenges to producing good hay for the market. First, early green-up in the spring is needed to allow for four to five productive clippings during the summer. When first establishing production fields, quick emergence and cover are important for reducing weeds. Forage bermudagrass is somewhat tolerant to drought, however, low rainfall substantially reduces yields. If rainfall is too abundant, it is difficult to have timely curing in the field for baling. This is especially true for the higher quality thick-stemmed cultivars such as Tifton 85. More recently, the bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM, Atherigona reversura) has caused yield reductions and reduced net income for hay producers. Plant breeding has attempted to address all these issues. This talk will highlight some areas of research that has been done over the past few decades to improve bermudagrass for hay production.
