Revised November 2001
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Buffalograss (Buchloë dactyloides) is the only grass native
to North America that is used widely for turf. Fossils discovered in Kansas
show that buffalograss existed in that region at least 7 million years ago.
It was the principal forage grass for the American bison, hence the name. Buffalograss
is well adapted to the drylands of the western prairies and plains, and in recent
years new varieties have been developed to extend its natural area of adaptation.
Buffalograss is a warm-season grass that spreads by aboveground stems called stolons. Reproduction is dioecious -- female and male flowers are located on separate plants. Seedheads on male plants are located high in the turfgrass canopy, while female seedheads are found near the base of the plant. Because male flowers extend above the canopy in unmowed turf, selecting a cultivar with both male and female plants (Table 1) can be an aesthetic consideration. The female burrs, or protective shells, each containing one or more seeds, are difficult to harvest because of their location deep in the turfgrass canopy. For this reason buffalograss seed is more expensive than the seed of most other turfgrass species.
Buffalograss adapts best to full sun, but acceptable turf can be grown with 6 to 8 hours per day of direct sunlight. It is one of the most heat and drought tolerant of turfgrass species. During extended dry periods without moisture, buffalograss goes dormant to avoid drought stress and will remain dormant until moisture is available. Buffalograss has better cold tolerance than other warm-season turfgrasses, but the degree of cold tolerance varies among cultivars.
Table 1
Commercially available buffalograss cultivars.
| Cultivar | Flowers | Planting method |
|---|---|---|
| Bison | male/female | seed |
| Bonniebrae | female | vegetative |
| Cody | male/female | seed |
| Legacy | female | vegetative |
| Midget | female | vegetative |
| Mobuff | female | vegetative |
| Sharps Improved | male/female | seed |
| Stampede | female | vegetative |
| Tatanka | male/female | seed |
| Texoka | male/female | seed |
| Topgun | male/female | seed |
| Plains | male/female | seed |
| '315' | female | vegetative |
| '378' | female | vegetative |
| '609' | female | vegetative |
The best time to plant is late spring or early summer, although sod and plugs may be planted as late as August or early September, assuming that the weather remains warm enough for a root system to develop before winter. Success with a late-summer planting also depends on cold hardiness of individual cultivars.
Vegetative planting
Plugs should be set at least 2 inches in diameter and 2-1/2 inches
deep. Plugs may be planted on 6-inch to 24-inch centers, depending on how fast
coverage is needed. Pre-rooted plugs that have been allowed to develop roots
in pots for several weeks are preferred and will establish more rapidly than
plugs that are not pre-rooted.
Fertilize the newly planted area with 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet using a 10-10-10 or similar fertilizer. Irrigate often enough to prevent moisture stress. Careful use of herbicides is needed during the establishment period to minimize plant competition to the new buffalograss planting. Begin mowing when plugs are well rooted. Mow often enough to remove about one-third of the vertical growth at each mowing. Frequent mowing will also help to reduce competition from weeds.
Sodding is more expensive than plugging but will give instant turf in areas that must be used immediately or on slopes where erosion may occur. Soil to be sodded should be moist before the sod is installed. Sod should be placed so that the ends of adjacent strips overlap as in brick laying. Place sod pieces snugly against adjacent pieces and lightly roll or tamp to ensure good sod-soil contact. Post-installation care for sodded areas is the same as that for plugged areas.
Seeding
Buffalograss seed burs should be planted at a rate of 1 to 3 pounds
per 1,000 square feet. Seeding at the higher recommended rate should provide
complete lawn coverage in one season. Seed burrs should be planted at a depth
of 1/2 inch or less. Grooves can be made in the soil to receive seed using a
verticutting machine or with a slicer-seeder machine that opens grooves in the
soil and then deposits seed during one operation. It is important to use burrs
that have been primed for germination by soaking in potassium nitrate to weaken
the coat. Burrs may also be broadcast on the prepared seedbed using a box (drop)
fertilizer spreader. Hulled, deburred seed is sometimes available but is much
more expensive than burrs. Gently rake broadcast burrs into the soil surface
and then roll to ensure good burr-to-soil contact.
After seeding, straw or other mulch may be applied at a rate of one bale per 1,000 square feet. Lightly water the seedbed daily when there is no rain. As seedlings emerge and develop, irrigate less frequently but often enough to prevent drought stress. Mow seedlings at a height of 2 to 3 inches when the new seedlings have reached a height of 3 inches. Try to remove no more than one-third of the vertical growth at each mowing. About six weeks after seeding, apply a slow release nitrogen fertilizer at a rate of 1 pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
Patience and perseverance are often the key to establishing a buffalograss lawn. Buffalograss does not germinate as a dense stand like tall fescue. One seedling per square foot is adequate because buffalograss becomes progressively thicker each year as the stolons spread. During the first and second years, persistent attention to weed control may be required. Weeds may be removed by hand or by spot spraying with Roundup.
Irrigate buffalograss only enough to maintain growth and prevent dormancy, if desired. Buffalograss will survive extended drought but will lose color as it enters dormancy. Overwatering will promote weed competition and may increase the incidence of disease.
There are several options for mowing buffalograss. Where moderate to high quality turf is desired, mow once per week at a height of 2 to 3 inches. For low-maintenance areas mow at 3 to 4 inches every three to four weeks. Buffalograss may also be left unmowed except for an annual spring mowing at 3 to 4 inches to remove old growth.
Annual weeds may be controlled with spring applications of pre-emergence herbicides labeled for use on buffalograss such as Dacthal, Dimension, Ronstar G and Surflan. Other preemergence herbicides may give equally effective annual weed control. Broadleaf weeds, including dandelions and plaintains, may be controlled with any of several products that contain 2,4-D and are labeled for buffalograss. For control of winter annual weeds and invasive cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, spray Roundup on dormant buffalograss in winter before greenup begins.
G6730, revised November 2001