Abstract:

A 2-year research was conducted to determine the effects of plant growth-promoting bacteria and in combination with different nitrogen rates on the turfgrass growth and quality. Field experiments were carried out on turf research plots at Uludag University Agricultural Research Farm, Bursa between 2017-2018 years. The experimental design was a split plot with turfgrass cultivars as a whole plot, nitrogen (N) doses as the sub plots. Whole plots consist of 5 cultivars belonging 3 warm-season turfgrass species; hybrid Bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis x Cynodon dactylon) Tifdwarf, Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers) Gobi and Sydney, seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Sw.) Seaspray and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) Zenith. Nitrogen was applied monthly at rates of 0 (control) g m−2, 1 g m−2, 2 g m−2 and 3 g m−2. Bacteria were used three times at rates of 0.54 cc m−2 in the growing period. Turf color and quality of each plot were rated visually, and clipping weight were determined monthly. In addition, dormancy period and color retention were evaluated.Results of this study showed that Zenith, Tifdwarf and Gobi greened up earlier than rest of the other turfgrass cultivars in the spring. Applications of 3 g m-2 N + bacteria combination had significantly higher ratings of color, quality and clipping yields. Applications of 2 g m-2 N+ bacteria combination provided above the acceptable turfgrass quality and green color during trial. On the other hand, 0 g m-2 N + bacteria applications gave unacceptable color and quality values. Results indicate that montly 2 g m-2 N in combination with bacteria might be used for sustainable turfgrass management of warm-season turfgrasses under Marmara (Transition) climatic region.

Keywords: