Influence of Seeding Variables on ‘Tifton 9’ Bahiagrass Establishment

Abstract‘Tifton 9’ possesses attributes similar to ‘Pensacola’ bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge var. saurae Parodi) including persistence, wide adaptation, and positive rotation effects for subsequent crops. Seed dormancy has been implicated as a cause of slow establishment of bahiagrass. Our objective was to evaluate dormancy‐reducing seed treatments on multiple seed lots with a range of seeding rates during spring, summer, or fall planting. Tifton 9 seed lots with high or low dormant seed fractions were planted without treatment, after solid matrix priming (SMP), or after accelerated aging (AA) at elevated temperature and humidity. Seed was planted during 2 yr at Tifton, GA (31°26' N, 83°35' W), or Immokalee, FL (26°27' N, 81°26' W), using seeding rates of 5.6, 16.8, or 50.4 kg ha−1. Tiller counts at 1 and 2 mo following planting, stand occupation the year following planting and dry matter harvested were obtained to monitor establishment. Seed lot had no influence on any variable evaluated. Initial stands were improved by SMP, indicating enhanced early emergence; however, SMP did not increase second‐year stands and forage yield compared with other seed treatments. Accelerated aging provided no advantage. Increasing the seeding rate resulted in greater emergence and second‐year stand coverage, but yield advantages were small. Response to planting season varied with year and location. A November freeze damaged October‐planted stands at Tifton in 1993. Stand establishment was hastened with a high seeding rate, but any advantage of high seeding rates was short lived. Seed treatments examined in this research provided little benefit, and it may be possible to reduce standard seeding rate recommendations without impairing long term establishment.