Soil water availability affects green area and biomass growth of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.

DE ABELLEYRA, D., VERDÚ, A., KRUK, B. & E.H. SATORRE

WEED RESEARCH

Año: 2007

0043-1737

Review Copy Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is a stoloniferous and rhizomatous prostrate weed displaying high growth rates under non-limited conditions. Radiation has been considered displaying high growth rates under non-limited conditions. Radiation has been considered (Cynodon dactylon) is a stoloniferous and rhizomatous prostrate weed displaying high growth rates under non-limited conditions. Radiation has been considered the major factor affecting C. dactylon patch extension and biomass growth, but little isC. dactylon patch extension and biomass growth, but little is known about the influence of water availability in those processes. C. dactylon green areaC. dactylon green area and biomass growth were analyzed in response to different soil water conditions. Four experiments comprising eight drought treatments were carried out during two years at different dates, to generate a wide range of soil water and evaporative demand conditions. Significant reductions in weed green area and biomass growth were found between treatments when low soil water conditions were imposed. Reductions in green area were of greater magnitude than reductions in biomass, suggesting a higher effect of drought on green area increment. There were significant (p<0.05) relationships between green area increment and cumulative incident radiation; although slopes (Relative green area growth rates – RGAGR) differed among treatments. A strong logistic relationship was found between RGAGR and the ratio plant available soil water / potential evapotranspiration. The approach and parameters generated in this work can be used to predict C. dactylonC. dactylon growth changes under rainfed conditions. Keywords: Cynodon dactylon, water stress, growth analysis, modellingCynodon dactylon, water stress, growth analysis, modelling