|
Establishment Guidelines
|
|
Establishment Guidelines
|
| Pre-Establishment | |
| Soil pH between 5.5 and 8.0 | |
| Soil surface should be soft and pliable | |
| Ideal, % soil CEC saturation values | |
| % Ca = 65 - 85% | |
| % Mg = 10 - 20% | |
| % K = 2 - 7% | |
| Salinity effects of soils | |
| Electrical conductivity (ECe) < 4.0 d Sm-1 | |
| Total dissolved salts (TDS) < 2500 ppm | |
| Sodium absorption ratio (SARe) <10 meq L-1 | |
| Salinity effects of irrigation water | |
| ECw < 3 d Sm-1 | |
| TDS < 2000 ppm | |
| SARw <18 meq L-1 | |
| Residual sodium carbonate (RSCw) < 2.50 meq L-1 | |
| Na < 210 ppm | |
| Cl < 355 ppm | |
| Na < 2000 ppm | |
| Planting Recommendations | |
| Sprig Dispersal: 5-14 bu/1,000 sq.ft. or 200-600 bu/Acre | |
| Compaction: Sprigs can be covered by a thin layer of soil or sand, organic matter, or synthetic polymers to minimize compaction problems and maximize sprig survival | |
| Fertilizer: N levels should be kept low, since this grass prioritizes root development during the first month after planting. When stolons start growing, N can be added. P and K are essential for root development. Fertilizer formulations of 1:2:3 or 1:3:4 N:P:K are adequate at 0.33 - 0.50 lbs./1,000 sq. ft. weekly for the first month. | |
| Herbicides: Granular Ronstar is safe to use at planting. | |
| Irrigation: Minimize drying of the surface during the first two weeks after sprigging. After root initiation, irrigation scheduling can be gradually lengthened in intervals between applications and in duration of each application (infrequent, longer duration events) to force the root system deeper into the soil profile. | |
| No Down Time: Paspalum sprigs can be planted into established bermudagrass turf, using a modified aerator to push the sprigs into the mature turf, rolling 3 - 4 times in different directions, topdressing, and frequent irrigation during the first two weeks after planting. A herbicide such as Prograss® may be needed to transition the bermudagrass out of the stand during less aggressive growth of the bermuda after 6 - 8 weeks. | |
| Mowing | |
| Begin when vertical growth reaches 1 inch (25 mm). Mowing at 0.50 - 0.75 inch will enhance horizontal growth. | |
| Grow - In | |
| Time Frame: Normal grow-in time from sprigs is 2-3 months, depending on sprig volume, water quality/quantity and environment. | |
| Fertility: At
the time stolons start growing, N fertility should be
shifted to an aggressive strategy coupled with regular
verticutting or slicing to enhance grow-in. The fertility
package should include balanced N-P-K fertilizers at 1 lb./1,000 sq. ft. every 2-3 weeks until coverage is 90% complete. After each verticut, a highly soluble nitrate source can be applied at 1 lb./1,000 sq. ft on 7-14 day cycles to escalate growth. |
|
| Irrigation: Apply 0.25 to 0.50 inch water after each fertilizer application. | |
| Mowing: Cutting heights should be no higher than 1 inch (25 mm) and preferably 0.50-0.75 inch( 13-20 mm) to promote shorter internodes and a denser canopy. | |
| Mature Turf | |
| Fertility: SeaIsle 1 does not take up NH4+N, but responds readily to NO3N. Scheduling is a cool season grass protocol: | |
| •0.50 - 1.0 lb. N/1,000 sq. ft applications during the fall and spring | |
| • 0.33 - 0.66 lb. N/1,000 sq. ft applications during the summer, with minimal amounts during the hottest months. | |
| •Do not exceed 4 lbs. actual N/1,000 sq.ft./year. If that amount is exceeded, puffiness, thatch buildup, and scalping may occur. | |
| •Apply K2O fertilizers at 1 - 2 lbs./1,000 sq. ft. during the fall to enhance winter hardiness. | |
| Irrigation: 1 inch (25 mm) weekly to bi-weekly should be sufficient to maintain paspalum turf. Infrequent, longer duration irrigation scheduling will promote deeper rooting and enhance drought tolerance. | |
| Evapotranspiration | |
| Environmental Averages | |
| • Cool Humid Environment | 0.10 - 0.15 inch/day |
| • Cool Dry Environment | 0.15 - 0.25 inch/day |
| • Warm Humid Environment | 0.15 - 0.20 inch/day |
| • Warm Dry Environment | 0.20 - 0.25 inch/day |
| • Hot Humid Environment | 0.20 - 0.30 inch/day |
| • Hot Dry Environment | 0.30 - 0.40 inch/day |
| Factors | |
| • Humidity | |
| • Temperature | |
| • Total Hours Sunlight | |
| • Soil Conditions: | |
| • Clay | |
| • Sand | |
| • Organic Matter | |
| South and West Exposures Dry Out Faster Than North and East Exposures | |
NOTE: Key basic information should be requested from analytical laboratories when submitting samples for analysis. Because SeaIsle 1 will often be grown in salt-challenged environments, knowledge about the level of salinity stress will be extremely important for making management decisions. |
|
