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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Genetics and Breeding Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #412366
Research Project: Genetic Improvement and Management of Warm-Season Forage, Feedstocks, Syrup, and Turf Grasses

Location: Crop Genetics and Breeding Research

Title: Challenges in bermudagrass production in the Southeastern USA

Author
item BAXTER, LISA - University Of Georgia
item Anderson, William - Bill
item GATES, ROGER - Southeast Agriseeds
item RIOS, ESTEBAN - University Of Florida
item BURT, JUSTIN - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Grassland Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/13/2024
Publication Date: 6/26/2024
Citation: Baxter, L.L., Anderson, W.F., Gates, R.N., Rios, E.F., Burt, J.C. 2024. Challenges in bermudagrass production in the Southeastern USA. Grassland Research. 3(2):123-131. https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.12092.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.12092

Interpretive Summary: Bermudagrass is one of the most important perennial warm-season forages in the United States. Though newer cultivars have higher yield and better quality compared to common genotypes, there are a number of other challenges for bermudagrass producers. A new invasive pest (bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM)) has caused significant yield losses to hay producers. Though insecticide sprays can reduce the damage more work is needed to develop an integrated approach to control. Also, producers have reported problems with emergence in the spring after the winter dormancy period. New cold-tolerant bermudagrass cultivars are needed to help replace the declining acres of the cool-season forage, tall fescue in northern areas of the Southeast region. Work is ongoing to develop cold-tolerant, pest resistant cultivars to address these new challenges.

Technical Abstract: Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] is one of the primary perennial forages produced in the Southeastern USA. Newer hybrid cultivars are recognized for their superior production and nutritive value compared to common ecotypes. However, there are many challenges facing the future of bermudagrass production in the region. First, the bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM; Atherigona reversura Villeneuve) has severely damaged bermudagrass throughout the region. Strategically timed pyrethroid applications can significantly reduce adult BSM populations, but more efforts are needed to develop integrated pest management plans. Second, an increasing number of forage producers are noting challenges with green-up following winter dormancy. This may be attributed to disease, unbalanced soil fertility, and invasion of weed species. Perhaps one of the most limiting factors for continued bermudagrass production, is the deficit of sprig materials and trained personnel to sprig hybrid bermudagrasses. This research is critically importance as the need for cold-tolerant bermudagrass is increasing as tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire) acres are declining because of notable changes in temperature and precipitation patterns throughout the northern parts of the region. Plant breeders are investigating the potential use of bermudagrass at latitudes >35° with respect to freeze or cold tolerance. Despite the many challenges facing bermudagrass production in the Southeastern USA, area researchers are working to ensure its persistence, productivity, and availability for the future.