Buffalograss
Seed (Buchloë dactyloides) is the only grass native to North America
that is used widely for pastures, lawn and turf applications. Fossils discovered in Kansas show that
buffalograss existed in that region at least 7 million years ago. It
was the principal forage grass for the American bison, hence the name.
Buffalograss is well adapted to the drylands of the western prairies
and plains, and in recent years new varieties have been developed to
extend its natural area of adaptation.
Buffalograss is a warm-season grass that spreads by aboveground stems
called stolons. Reproduction is dioecious -- female and male flowers
are located on separate plants. Seedheads on male plants are located
high in the turfgrass canopy, while female seedheads are found near the
base of the plant. Because male flowers extend above the canopy in
unmowed turf, selecting a cultivar with both male and female plants can
be an aesthetic consideration. The female burrs, or protective shells,
each containing one or more seeds, are difficult to harvest because of
their location deep in the turfgrass canopy. For this reason
buffalograss seed is more expensive than the seed of most other
turfgrass species.
Buffalograss adapts best to full sun, but acceptable turf can be grown
with 6 to 8 hours per day of direct sunlight. It is one of the most
heat and drought tolerant of turfgrass species. During extended dry
periods without moisture, buffalograss goes dormant to avoid drought
stress and will remain dormant until moisture is available.
Buffalograss has better cold tolerance than other warm-season
turfgrasses, but the degree of cold tolerance varies among cultivars.
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Pasture and Erosion Applications
New Pastures - Plant 40 - 60 lbs. per acre
Erosion Areas - Plant 40 - 60 lbs. per acre
Establishment
Buffalograss may be seeded or it may be vegetatively established
using either sod or plugs or both, depending on the cultivar. Seeded
cultivars will have both male and female flowers, while sodded types
are predominantly female.
The best time to plant is late spring or early summer, although sod and
plugs may be planted as late as August or early September, assuming
that the weather remains warm enough for a root system to develop
before winter. Success with a late-summer planting also depends on cold
hardiness of individual cultivars.
Seeding
Buffalograss seed burs should be planted at a rate of 1 to 3 pounds
per 1,000 square feet. Seeding at the higher recommended rate should
provide complete lawn coverage in one season. Seed burrs should be
planted at a depth of 1/2 inch or less. Grooves can be made in the soil
to receive seed using a verticutting machine or with a slicer-seeder
machine that opens grooves in the soil and then deposits seed during
one operation. It is important to use burrs that have been primed for
germination by soaking in potassium nitrate to weaken the coat. Burrs
may also be broadcast on the prepared seedbed using a box (drop)
fertilizer spreader. Hulled, deburred seed is sometimes available but
is much more expensive than burrs. Gently rake broadcast burrs into the
soil surface and then roll to ensure good burr-to-soil contact.
After seeding, straw or other mulch may be applied at a rate of one
bale per 1,000 square feet. Lightly water the seedbed daily when there
is no rain. As seedlings emerge and develop, irrigate less frequently
but often enough to prevent drought stress. Mow seedlings at a height
of 2 to 3 inches when the new seedlings have reached a height of 3
inches. Try to remove no more than one-third of the vertical growth at
each mowing. About six weeks after seeding, apply a slow release
nitrogen fertilizer at a rate of 1 pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
Patience and perseverance are often the key to establishing a
buffalograss lawn. Buffalograss does not germinate as a dense stand
like tall fescue. One seedling per square foot is adequate because
buffalograss becomes progressively thicker each year as the stolons
spread. During the first and second years, persistent attention to weed
control may be required. Weeds may be removed by hand or by spot
spraying with Roundup.
Keys to weed control in buffalograss
- Avoid frequent irrigation. Water only as needed to maintain desired buffalograss quality.
- Avoid overfertilization with nitrogen.
- For chemical weed control, use only products labeled for buffalograss
- Control crabgrass with annual applications of approved preemergence chemicals.
- Do
not use 2,4-D on buffalograss during the first year of establishment or
when temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Fall applications are
preferred for control of broadleaf weeds in buffalograss.
Managing established buffalograss
Buffalograss is a low maintenance grass and will fail if overmanaged.
Established buffalograss requires only 1 or 2 pounds of nitrogen per
1,000 square feet per year. Select a fertilizer with a
nitrogen-to-phosphorus-to-potassium ratio of 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 and at
least 35 percent slow-release nitrogen. Apply fertilizer at a rate of 1
pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in June and repeat the application
in late July or early August.
Irrigate buffalograss only enough to maintain growth and prevent
dormancy, if desired. Buffalograss will survive extended drought but
will lose color as it enters dormancy. Overwatering will promote weed
competition and may increase the incidence of disease.
There are several options for mowing buffalograss. Where moderate to
high quality turf is desired, mow once per week at a height of 2 to 3
inches. For low-maintenance areas mow at 3 to 4 inches every three to
four weeks. Buffalograss may also be left unmowed except for an annual
spring mowing at 3 to 4 inches to remove old growth.
Annual weeds may be controlled with spring applications of
pre-emergence herbicides labeled for use on buffalograss such as
Dacthal, Dimension, Ronstar G and Surflan. Other preemergence
herbicides may give equally effective annual weed control. Broadleaf
weeds, including dandelions and plaintains, may be controlled with any
of several products that contain 2,4-D and are labeled for
buffalograss. For control of winter annual weeds and invasive
cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, spray Roundup on dormant
buffalograss in winter before greenup begins.
Courtesy of http://extension.missouri.edu