INITIAL VEGETATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF Paspalum notatum FLÜGGE TURFGRASS

Abstract

With the objective of evaluating the initial vegetative development of P. notatum turfgrass recently installed by sowing, an experiment was conducted in an area destined to the formation of a soccer field. The sowing process was accomplished by throwing 50 kg of seeds in 2,400 m². Four treatments were represented by turfgrass seedlings evaluation at 30, 45, 60, and 75 days after sowing (DAS), between March and May, 2007. Replications included ten sample points by period, randomly selected with the aid of hollow squares (0.25 m²). Results indicated medium increment for dry matter in the aerial part of plants (67.4%, 73.8%, and 34.3%, respectively, at 45, 60, and 75 DAS). In relation to the number of leaves per plant, medium increment was verified for new leaves (3.6, 9.6, and 6.9, respectively, at 45, 60, and 75 DAS), as well as the appearance of a new tiller in turfgrass plants, every 15 days, from 30 to 75 DAS.

KEY-WORDS: Growth; Bahiagrass; seedlings.