The effect of fall nitrogen fertilization on the prevention of colour loss in some warm-season turfgrass species in the Mediterranean region

The efficiency of some nitrogen fertilizers, applied in different terms, on the quality of turfgras species and their foliage in spring was investigated for reducing fall color retention or shortening of this term in some warm-season turfgrass species adapted to coastal Mediterranean region.Nitrogen was applied in either September or September + October to the 19 turfgrass cultivars belonging 6 warm-season turfgrass species ( 8 of them are Cynodon dactylon, 5 of them are Buchloë dactyloides, 2 of them are Zoysia japonica, 2 of them are Paspalum notatum, 1 of them is Paspalum vaginatum and 1 of them is Eremochloa ophiurioides). The effects of these applications were determined on turfgrass color, turfgrass quality, the percentage of spring green-up and shoot density.Results were showed that, nitrogen application in fall; significantly delayed onset of dormancy on fall and showed no negative effect on spring green-up after possible cool season for the cultivars used in this research in the Mediterranean coastal region conditions.