To Sprig or Not To Sprig

摘要

Could seeded bermudagrass varieties someday compete with top-yielding sprigged varieties?Bermudagrass hybrids such as Coastal and Tifton 85 must be established vegetatively by sprigs (parts of stolons, rhizomes, stems and roots) because they produce little viable seed. Sprigging requires extensive land preparation, digging and transportationof sprigs and a sprigging machine for planting. Cost can range from 125 to 200 dollar per acre, depending on variety, fertilizer prices and the cost of the actual sprigging operation. Planting seed varieties, by comparison, can cost about one-half thatamount.