Determination of resistance to shear and crushing of native bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) cultivars candidate

Bermudagrass is widely used in the world and is a hot climate grass plant which is used extensively in athletic fields that can adapt to tropical and warm temperate climates. Bermudagrass is able to tolerate short moving, resistance to traffic stress and damaged due to the rapid growth in property field quickly be able to close the high grass quality, hot and drought resistance, adaptation to environmental conditions are just some of the reasons for preference. The aim of this study is to determine tolerance against traffic stress and their regeneration ability under two different moving heights of the first native seeded bermudagrass species developed by the management of Akdeniz University. Three cultivars of candidate (A4-4, B3-6, C12-133) and 3 commercial variety (Riviera, Princess 77, Tifway) developed for this purpose were exposed to different moving height (2 cm and 4 cm) and traffic stress. Traffic stress throughout 12 weeks Brinkman Traffic Simulator was used and it was applied 4 passes twice a week. This treatment equals four football games a week. Grass quality, turf cover rate (%), shear-strength, surface hardness and density were evaluated under traffic stress. As a result of the evaluation, it has been observed that the cultivars of candidates 'A4-4' and 'C12-133' showed superior performance than commercial varieties 'Riviera' and 'Tifway' in terms of grass quality, shear-strenght and density. Cultivars of candidates C12-133, A4-4 and commercial variety of Riviera turf cover was found to be the best preserving bermudagrass. As a result, it was observed that the candidates of the developed variety had a good resistance to traffic stress and tolerated the short moving applied. Developed native variety candidates 'A4-4' and 'C12-133' intensive use area offers a significant potential for athletic turf and other green areas. KEYWORDS: Bermudagrass, green areas, traffic stress, traffic simulator