Green color intensity in bermudagrass irrigated under application of different nitrogen doses

Abstract

TIFTON 419, Bermuda grass hybrid, is widely planted in Brazilian sports fields. We aimed to relate green color intensity (GCI) of the turfgrass with nitrogen dose increasing applied on the soil and also with climatic conditions. Experimental design was a randomized block with four replications. Treatments were defined with four nitrogen doses (112.5, 337.5, 562.5 and 787.5 kg N ha-1 year-1) and were conducted from October 2015 to March 2016. Fertilizations occurred at the beginning of each month, after the first monthly green color intensity measurement. Considering by the demanding periods, fertilizations were parceled out according to the seasons: 25% of the annual fertilization in the spring (October to December) and 35% of the annual fertilization in the summer (January to March). Turfgrass was daily irrigated with rotor sprinklers using the class A pan as a reference for crop evapotranspiration. GCI was measured in a Field Scout meter CM-1000 Chlorophyll Meter. Turfgrass green color intensity is related to nitrogen fertilizer amount.

Keywords

• Chlorophyll meter
• Cynodon dactylon
• nitrogen fertilization
• sports field
• TIFTON 419