Turf-grass Species - Fundamentals of Tropical Turf Management - page 30

(high, low or medium) is not likely to change and can be used as a general
selection guide.

Level of maintenance required

Because turf-grass species, even varieties, differ in required level of
maintenance (Table 2.1), the grass selected must be appropriate for the
level of maintenance that can be committed. Overall a much better turf
will result from selection of a grass species that is less beautiful but can be
maintained adequately than from selection of a more beautiful species
whose maintenance needs cannot be met. Levels of maintenance are
almost always directly related to cost and time. High-maintenance turf
has the highest cost of adequate maintenance and requires the most
maintenance time. Therefore, a realistic evaluation is required of the
factors affecting maintenance: the cost of labour, availability and cost of
equipment, availability and cost of irrigation water, personal preferences
related to usage of chemicals etc. For example, a hybrid cynodon will
form dense, carpet like turf but will not grow well without supplemental
irrigation and will require frequent mowing and high fertilization. On the
other hand, common cynodon may grow well with less irrigation, and
will require less mowing and fertilization, but will not form as dense a
turf.

Establishment vigour

In the tropical climate establishment vigour is of major importance. Quick
establishment is desired mainly because of weed pressure after seeding
or vegetative planting. Highly competitive weeds may invade grass that
establishes itself slowly. Some species establish themselves faster than

Table 2.1. Rankings of popular tropical turf-grasses, from highest at the top to
lowest at the bottom, by level of maintenance required, establishment vigour,
leaf texture (leaf width) and typical mowing height. Intervals between successive
rankings are not constant.

Maintenance required Establishment vigour Leaf width Mowing height

Hybrid cynodon Cynodon St Augustine grass St Augustine grass

Seashore paspalum Seashore paspalum Carpet grass Bahia grass

St Augustine grass St Augustine grass Bahia grass Carpet grass

Zoysia grass Bahia grass Centipede grass Centipede grass

Common cynodon Centipede grass Seashore paspalum Seashore paspalum

Carpet grass Carpet grass Zoysia grass Zoysia grass

Centipede grass Zoysia grass Cynodon Cynodon