Turf Performance of Shaded 'TitGrand' and 'TitSport' Hybrid Bermudagrass as Affected by Mowing Height and Trinexapac-ethyl

Heavily shaded environments often limit the performance and persistence of hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x C. transvaniensis), therefore a field-based shade study was performed to determine whether different mowing heights (0.5 and 1.5 inch) or two trinexapac-ethyl (TE) growth regulator management treatments (control and 2 oz/acre) allow either 'TifSpore or 'TifGrand' hybrid bermudagrass to persist under 77% shade. Turfgrass quality (TQ), green cover, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and dark-green color index (DGCI) were evaluated on the two cultivars under a shade structure in Tifton, GA, during 2010 and 2011. Neither of the cultivars maintained acceptable TQ throughout the entire year under 77% shade, although 'TifGrand' displayed adequate TQ at the higher mowing height (1.5 inch) and demonstrated more shade tolerance than 'TifSport', as indicated by TQ, green cover, and NDVI. The TE application did not enhance the turf performance of 'TifSport' under 77% shade when mowed at 0.5 inch, but it improved turf performance of 'TifGrand' at the same height. The effect of TE application was cultivar and mowing height dependent under this heavily shaded environment, which warrants future study to determine the best management practices of these cultivars as well as continued efforts to develop new, shade-tolerant bermudagrass hybrids.