Root growth and anchorage by transplanted 'Tifgreen' (Cynodon dactylon x C. transvaalensis) turfgrass

Abstract

Field experiments quantified factors affecting root growth and anchorage by transplanted 'Tifgreen' (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.×Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt Davy) sod, a globally important warm-season C4 turfgrass. Vertical force required to detach recently transplanted sod from underlying soil was the measure of root anchoring strength. In early spring, date of sod harvest and transplantation was important to root growth and anchorage measured 30 days after transplantation. Delaying sod harvest/transplantation by about a month after the end of the winter shoot dormancy period increased root anchoring strength 200% and root dry mass 640% during the 30 days after sodding. The strong effect of early-spring sodding date on root anchorage was related to cumulative thermal time before sod harvesting. Root anchoring strength was directly proportional to the number, but not mass, of roots produced by transplanted sod. In late spring, anchoring of sod to very firm traffic-compacted clay was 87% greater than to loamy sand, measured 14 days after sodding. N-P-K fertilisation did not affect late-spring sod anchorage to loamy sand soil, measured 18 days after sodding, but did enhance shoot density and colour. Sod root penetration into a silt loam soil was unaffected by an initially dry surface layer when sufficient irrigation was used. Overall, root anchorage by transplanted Tifgreen sod was similar to, or greater than, values reported for cool-season C3 turfgrasses in similar circumstances.