Seeding Month and Seed Soaking Affect Buffalograss Establishment
in HortScienceField studies were conducted in consecutive years to evaluate the influence of seeding month and seed soaking on buffalograss [Buchloë ductyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] establishment, as measured by percentage of coverage and seedling emergence. In 1991, plots where `Sharp's Improved' buffalograss burrs were seeded in May, June, or July exhibited complete coverage 7 weeks after seeding (WAS). Between Apr. and Sept. 1992, mean high and low temperatures were ≈ 3C cooler than in 1991, and seeding in June or July resulted in >95% coverage 9 WAS. In the same year, seeding in April or May required 12 to 13 weeks for complete coverage. Buffalograss seeded in August exhibited <25% coverage by the end of the first growing season. Soaking buffalograss burrs in water before seeding resulted in the emergence of >30% more seedlings 2 WAS compared with nonsoaked burrs and increased coverage by up to 18% on selected rating dates 3 to 13 WAS. However, complete coverage occurred only ≈ week sooner where soaked vs. nonsoaked burrs were planted.
