Characterization of the potential of native grasses for use as lawns

Abstract

Since long lawns have been cultivated worldwide to perform a large variety of functions. Brazilian lawns have been constituted by a reduced number of species and cultivars. This work was developed with the purpose of estimating the potential of use as lawns presented by the members of a collection of accesses of native species of Paspalum and Axonopus (Poaceae). The following characteristics were evaluated: maximum vertical growth height, speed of soil cover, speed of regrowth, dry mass production, ornamental quality, weed encroachment and demand for mowing. Several accessions presented desirable characteristics and can therefore be included in programs aiming the development of cultivars for lawns intended for use in a variety of situations. The results here reported and discussed represent an experimental verification of the potential of the Brazilian flora to offer plants for use as lawns, reinforce the importance of native genetic resources and contribute to the continuity of research aimed at the development of this type of cultivars in Brazil.

Sod production in Brazil

“…Turfgrass transplanting in Brazil was originated through the extractive practices, with grasses growing in grasslands and being cut into slabs with a hoe. Paspalum notatum Flüggé, known as batatais or gramão grass, was found on many farms, extracted and sold informally, with no specific production units (Arigoni, 2012;Souza et al, 2020).…”

Paclobutrazol as growth regulator in Bahiagrass

“…However, most lawns formed by this grass are the result of planting by "pieces" collected manually in degraded pasture areas because the commercial availability of this species is scarce (Souza et al, 2020a). Thus, there is a need to search for information about it for use on highways, urban avenues, or airport runways (Souza et al, 2020b). In recent years, research on Bahiagrass has gained prominence to be used for this purpose (Souza et al, 2016;Silva et al, 2018;Maximino et al, 2017;Souza et al, 2020b) and recently being launched commercial cultivars of Paspalum notatum registered by EMBRAPA (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) (Souza et al, 2020a).…”

“…According to Souza et al (2020b) it is essential that Paspalum species, when used as vegetation cover, have slower vertical growth, to reduce pruning need. Marchi et al (2016) states that 5 to 7 mowing operations are necessary for Bahiagrass during its main growing season (summer), and Chaer (2015) mentions that in vegetation areas such as highways, it is estimated that the concessionaires performed up to 15 annual pruning.…”

Sewage sludge composted in the coloring and development of Bermuda grass

“…In Brazil, the most cultivated and used grass for ornamental purposes is Zoysia grass (Zoysia japonica) . However, due to great market availability of new varieties, landscapers have been looking for alternative species to complement projects, mix shades of green and that require little maintenance (Souza et al, 2016;Souza et al, 2020;Qually Grama, 2020).…”