Stargrasses differ most vividly from bermudagrass in growth form and geographic distribution. G. W. Burton initially considered the potential for developing seed-propagated bermudagrass cultivars, but the emphasis of his program was the development of clonally propagated hybrids. Bermudagrass and stargrass are among the most important of the warm-season perennial grasses used for livestock grazing and hay production. The use of bermudagrass as turf rivals its use as a forage. Grazing management of bermudagrass and stargrass is similar but variations within and between the species may dictate management alternatives to sustain production goals. Overseeding bermudagrass and stargrass with annual and perennial forages can greatly enhance the quantity and quality of forage over an extended period of time. Improvement of bermudagrass and stargrass in the future will probably result from ecotype selection, traditional breeding, application of genetic engineering and combinations thereof.

Ocala, a new UF annual ryegrass, has excellent disease resistance and sufficient cold tolerance to be grown successfully in the southern annual ryegrass region of the U.S. It is a well-adapted, diploid annual ryegrass population. Parentage includes several advanced experimental annual ryegrass populations for Florida and Nebraska. This 1-page fact sheet was written by A.R. Blount, G.M. Prine, K.E. Kenworthy, P. Mislevy, J.C. Jones, and P.E. Reith, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, October 2011. SS-AGR-356/AG365: "Ocala"—A New Diploid Annual Ryegrass for the Southern US (ufl.edu)

‘UF Tito’ (Reg. No. CV‐107, PI 262826) and ‘UF Peace’ (Reg. No. CV‐108, PI 658214) rhizoma perennial peanut (RP;Arachis glabrataBenth.) cultivars were released by the University of Florida in 2008. After introduction into the United States in 1936 from Brazil, evaluations showed RP to be well adapted to the U.S. Gulf Coastal Plains region. UF Tito originated from Paraguay and was collected in 1959. This plant introduction resembles the plant type of ‘Florigraze’. It was identified as having high dry matter yields, highest percent pure peanut, and greatest vigor based on the amount of spread in a 10‐yr evaluation experiment. In subsequent multilocation experiments over a 5‐yr period, yields were generally equal to or higher than Florigraze. UF Peace was received in Florida in 1986 from Charles Simpson at the Texas AgriLife Research Center at Stephenville, TX, as collection no. P‐2352. The ID numbers when the material was received trace it to PI 262839, an introduction subsequently released as the germplasm Arblick. Amplified fragment length polymorphism evaluation indicates that the molecular profile of this line is different from Arblick and all other knownA. glabratagermplasm. It resembles the plant type of Florigraze, and its dry matter yields and competitiveness with weedy bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon(L.) Pers.] are comparable. UF Peace appears to have better adaptability to the upper Coastal Plains. Both cultivars show improved field tolerance to peanut stunt virus compared with Florigraze.

Revised! SSAGR24, a 4-page illustrated fact sheet by Joe Vendramini, Yoana Newman, Ann Blount, Martin B. Adjei, and Paul Mislevy, describes the different steps that minimize establishment failure and lead to a favorable outcome of dense stand of perennial pasture grass. Published by the UF Department of Agronomy, March 2010.SSAGR24/AG125: Five Basic Steps to Successful Perennial Pasture Grass Establishment From Vegetative Cuttings on South Florida Flatwoods (ufl.edu)

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) is an important perennial forage grass for the southeastern United States, being well adapted to conditions such as sandy or poorly drained soils, drought, and heavy continuous grazing. Current bahiagrass cultivars germinate over an extended period of time and the slow emergence produces incomplete stands, allowing weeds to compete and delaying grazing or first cutting for hay. A recurrent restricted phenotypic selection (RRPS) program began in 1996 and continued for four cycles for improving the emergence and establishment rates within Tifton 9 bahiagrass ('Pensacola' type). The resulting cycle-4 (C4) rapid-emergence 'TifQuik' was then increased and tested for seedling emergence, vigor, and establishment. TifQuik had a fourfold improvement of emergence compared to Tifton 9 after 1 wk in greenhouse trials. Emergence rates after 1 and 2 wk were significantly greater for TifQuik compared to Tifton 9 in replicated field trials. Plant heights after 3 wk from planting were 0.12 m for TifQuik versus 0.08 m for Tifton 9. The first harvest dry-matter yield of TifQuik was 3128 kg ha(-1) compared with 1539 kg ha(-1) for Tifton 9 and the total establishment year dry-matter yields were 9230 kg ha(-1) and 7466 kg ha(-1) for TifQuik and Tifton 9, respectively. TifQuik had greater first-clipping yields than Tifton 9 at Ona, FL, in 2005. The accelerated emergence and establishment of TifQuik will be useful in sod-based rotation systems with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.).

Short days are thought to alter dry matter (DM) partitioning in rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.). Under controlled environmental conditions, six lines of rhizoma peanut germplasm (cultivars Florigraze and Arbrook; Florida lines Ecoturf, Arbrook Select, and Arblick; and PI 262826) were exposed to natural and extended photoperiod regimes (15 or 18 h). The study started 21 Sept. 2000 and ran until the following May; aboveground DM was harvested five times. The following year the same lines were transplanted into the field, where they received either natural light or 15 h extended photoperiod conditions between 20 Sept. 2001 and 19 Apr. 2002 and again during the winter of 2002-2003. In the field, cover and DM was determined on approximately 9 wk intervals. In the controlled environment study, both extended photoperiod treatments increased DM yield, but the 18 h treatment was most consistent across selections and dates. The February response was greatest when there was greater than fivefold increase across selections for the 18 h treatment above natural photoperiod (2.80 vs. 0.52 g/pot, respectively). In the field, percent cover was enhanced by extended photoperiod for all selections except Ecoturf by the second sampling date after the lights were turned on (avg. 90 vs. 38% cover, respectively, for extended and natural photoperiod). Cover differences persisted until June 2002. Dry matter yield also was increased by treatment during the fall of both years. These studies suggest that selection for late and early season DM production in rhizoma peanut will select for photoperiod insensitivity.

40 CFR Part 158 (2004) United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of Environment, Chapter I—Environmental Protection Agency, Part 158—Data Requirements for Registration, Subpart D, Data Requirement Tables, revised as of July 1, 2004. Anderson, R. J. and K. V. Prahlad. 1976. The deleterious effects of fungicides and herbicides on Xenopus laevis embryos. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 4(3):312-323 Dial, N. A. and C. A. Baur Dial. 1987. Lethal effects of diquat and paraquat on developing frog embryos and 15-day-old tadpoles, Rana pipiens . Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 38(6):1006-1011. Dunson, W. A. 1960. Aquatic respiration in Trionyx spinifer aspera . Herpetologica 16:277-283. Ernst, C. H., R. W. Barbour and J. E. Lovich. 1994. Turtles of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. Gage, S. H. and S. P. Gage. 1886. Aquatic respiration in soft-shelled turtles: A contribution to the physiology of respiration in vertebrates. The American Naturalist 20:233-236. Hiltibran, R. C. 1967. Effects of some herbicides on fertilized fish eggs and fry. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 96:414-416. Hughes, J. S. 1975. Striped Bass, Morone saxatilis (walbuum), culture investigations in Louisiana with notes of sensitivity of fry and fingerlings to various chemicals. Fisheries Bulletin No. 13. Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, Baton Rouge, LA. Johnson, W. W. and M. T. Finley. 1980. Handbook of acute toxicity of chemicals to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Resource Pub. No. 137, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. Keller, A. E., R. J. Dutton, G. Bitton, and T. L. Crisman. 1988. Chronic toxicity of Hydrothol-191 to Ceriodaphnia dubia at 25 and 15°C. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 41: 233-240. Mayer, F. L., Jr. and M. R. Ellersieck. 1986. Manual of acute toxicity: interpretation and data base for 410 chemicals and 66 species of freshwater animals. Resource Pub. No. 160, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. Moll, D. and E. O. Moll. 2004. The Ecology, Exploitation, and Conservation of River Turtles. Oxford University Press, New York, NY. Office of Pesticide Programs. 2004. Pesticide Ecotoxicology Database. Environmental Fate and Effects Division, US EPA, Washington, DC. Paul, E. A., H. A. Simonin, J. Symula and R. W. Bauer. 1994. The toxicity of diquat, endothall, and fluridone to the early life stages of fish. J. Freshwater Ecology 9:229-239. Paul E. A. 1997. Water quality and reference toxicant testing: a quality assurance report on toxicity testing conducted by the Aquatic Toxicant Research Unit at the Rome Field Station. NYSDEC, Bureau of Habitat Technical Report, August 15, 1997. Pennwalt Corp. 1980. Technical Information Manual: The uses and properties of endothall. AGCHEM Pennwalt. Philadelphia, PA. Simonin, H. A. and J. C. Skea. 1977. Toxicity of diquat and cutrine to fingerling brown trout. NY Fish and Game J. 24:37-45. Smith, C. L. 1985. The Inland Fishes of New York State. New York State Department Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY. 522 pp. Walker, C. R. 1963. Endothall derivatives as aquatic herbicides in fishery habitats. Weeds 11:226-232. Weber, C. I. 1993. Methods for measuring the acute toxicity of effluents and receiving waters to freshwater and marine organisms. 4th ed. EPA 600/490-027. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. Williams, E. H., E. L. Mather and S. M. Carter. 1984. Toxicity of herbicides endothall and diquat to benthic crustacea. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 33:418-422. Wilson, D. C. and C. E. Bond. 1969. The effect of the herbicide diquat and dichlobenil (Casoron®) on pond invertebrates, part I: aquatic toxicity. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 98:438-443.

Rhizoma perennial peanut (RPP), Arachis glabrata Benth., has high nutritive value, is long lived, and drought tolerant; however, its growth and persistence on flatwood soils (spodosols) common in south Florida is thought to be poor. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of harvest management (stubble height, 1 vs 4 inches) and RPP entries [Arbrook Select (local ecotype), ‘ Arbrook’(released cultivar), PI 262839, PI 262826, ‘ Florigraze’(released cultivar), Ecoturf (PI 262840), and PI 262833] on above-ground dry biomass (DB) yield, nutritive value, root mass, and persistence on better drained spodosol soils. Harvesting RPP back to a 1-inch stubble during the initial year yielded an average of 7.8 ton/acre compared with 4.0 ton/acre DB yield at the 4-inch stubble. However, after the third and fourth harvest years, no difference (P > 0.05) was found between stubble heights or between peanut entries averaging 3.6 (2002) and 5.8 ton/acre (2003). Forage nutritive value was not affected by stubble height and varied only slightly between entries, averaging 17.2% crude protein (CP) and 69.0% in vitro organic matter digestion (IVOMD). Continuously harvesting plants at a 4-inch stubble produced 80% more root mass and improved ground cover (GC) by nearly 40%. These data indicate RPP can be successfully grown for hay production on better drained flatwood soils of the southern USA, particularly if a 4-inch stubble height is maintained at each harvest.

Cattle grazing tropical and subtropical grasses following a freeze generally require supplementation. However, livestock growers and animal scientists have difficulty determining supplementation needs because there is little information on tropical and subtropical grass nutritive value following a freeze. This study measured yield and nutritive value of nine tropical/subtropical grasses with and without fall fertilization, harvested at date of freeze and 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-freeze over a 3-year period. Grasses were four bahiagrasses (Paspalum notatum Flugge) cv. ‘Argentine,’ ‘Paraguay 22,’ ‘Pensacola,’ and ‘Tifton 9’; two bermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.) cv. ‘Florakirk’ and ‘Tifton 85’; two stargrasses (C. nlemfuensis Vanderyst var. nlemfuensis) cv. ‘Florico’ and ‘Florona’; and one limpograss [Hemarthria altissima (Poir) Stapf. and C.E. Hubb] ‘Floralta.’ Plots were clipped to 3 inches during the last week of October each year and half the plots fertilized with N-P2O5-K2O at 50-30-60 lb/acre + elemental Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn (sulfate form) at 1.5 lb/acre and S at 4.5 lb/acre, annually. Dry forage mass (FM) increased 70, 180, 170, and 190% for bahiagrass, bermudagrass, stargrass, and limpograss respectively with fertilization. Crude protein (CP) and in vitro organic matter digestion (IVOMD) both increased nearly 2 percentage units due to fertilization. Four weeks following a freeze, average CP and IVOMD across grasses decreased 2 and 15.6 percentage units, respectively. Tifton 85 bermudagrass and Florico stargrass showed the greatest decline of more than 19 percentage units IVOMD. Data demonstrate selected tropical grasses respond positively to fall fertilization. A freeze has little effect on herbage CP, however IVOMD decreases drastically.

Stargrasses (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst var. nlemfuensis) and bermudagrasses (C dactylon (L.) Persoon) are important warm-season forage grasses, with several cultivars developed for conditions found in central and southern Florida. Major insect pests of these grasses include grass loopers (Mocis spp.) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)), which annually may impose economic losses for beef cattle and hay producers. Population studies conducted during a 3-year period showed that both species had similar profiles with respect to larval population seasonality but not abundance. Plot studies with 4 stargrass and 4 bermudagrass lines showed that higher grass looper populations were found in stargrasses than bermudagrasses. Laboratory studies found grass loopers and fall armyworm larvae generally developed faster with larger weights on lines of stargrass than lines of bermudagrass. The two fall armyworm host strains also can differ substantially in their larval weight, developmental time, and survivability when grown on different lines of grasses. These results indicate that the selection of pasture grasses made by growers can significantly and differentially affect the population densities of these grass defoliators.

Ann R. Blounta, Martin B. Adjeib, Ken H. Quesenberryc, Mimi J. Williamsd, Paul Mislevye, and Gordon M. Prinef aAssociate Professor, North Florida Research & Education Center, UF/IFAS, Marianna, FL bAssociate Professor, North Florida Research & Education Center, UF/IFAS, Ona, FL cProfessor and Assistant Chair, Agronomy Department, UF/IFAS, Gainesville, FL dCourtesy Associate Professor, Brooksville Subtropical Agricultural Research Station, UF/IFAS, Brooksville, FL eProfessor, Range Cattle Research & Education Center, UF/IFAS, Ona, FL fProfessor, Agronomy Department, UF/IFAS, Gainesville, FL

Experiments conducted in a pasture agroecosystem in central Florida showed that two-component lures composed of acetic acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol placed in Unitraps collected adults of three species of grass looper. Mocis disseuerans (Walker), M. latipes (Guenee), and M. marcida (Guenee) males and females were collected from July through November, with peaks from late September through late October. Other noctuid moths also were captured, but constituted less than 33% of the total moths collected. In 2001 and 2002, 67.7 and 72.4% of the Mocis spp. moths collected were females, respectively. Phenylacetaldehyde-baited traps collected fewer Mocis spp. moths. The trapping system suggested by our results will aid growers in monitoring for a pest complex that lacks commercially-available sex pheromone lures.

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) is grown on 75% of Florida's improved pastures and a major pasture grass in southeastern U.S.A. However, since there is a need to find better cultivars, six bahiagrass entries consisting of cultivars 'Argentine', 'Pensacola', and 'Tifton 9' as standards were compared with experimental lines of bahiagrass developed at Tifton, GA; 'Tifton 7' (a tetraploid bahiagrass), and two recurrent restricted phenotypic selection (RRPS) populations 'RRPS Cycle 18' and 'RRPS Cycle 23' over 3 yr. The randomized complete block experiment was harvested from April to December each year on 30-d intervals, to a 7-cm stubble, and dry biomass (DB) yield, crude protein (CP), in vitro organic matter digestion (IVOMD) were determined. There was no difference between Tifton 7, Tifton 9, Cycle 18, Cycle 23, and Argentine in annual DB yield (11.6 Mg ha(-1)). However, Tifton 7 and Tifton 9 (12.0 Mg ha(-1)) were higher than Pensacola (10.3 Mg ha(-1)). Differences in forage CP concentration and IVOMD were not consistent among bahiagrass entries from year to year, regardless of harvest period. However, forage CP and rVOMD concentrations were generally highest in April (157 and 534 g kg(-1)), October (157 and 542 g kg(-1)), and December (177 and 587 g kg(-1)), respectively. Crude protein and rVOMD concentrations in the June (113 and 467 g kg(-1)) and August (122 and 482 g kg(-1)) were always the lowest, respectively. The results of this study may be useful in assisting plant breeders and growers to make better choices when selecting bahiagrass cultivars for pasture renovation.

Hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt Davy] cv. Tifton 85 is a major forage grass in the southeastern USA that suffers severe yield losses because of insect damage. A facile, cultivar‐specific regeneration protocol is required to pursue genetic improvement of Tifton 85 for incorporating insect resistance into this valuable forage crop. An efficient regeneration system that uses somatic embryogenesis from immature inflorescences of Tifton 85 has been established. Young, immature inflorescence explants proved to be an excellent source for obtaining embryogenic callus, as opposed to apical meristems and nodal segments. Embryogenic callus with demonstrable morphogenetic competence was obtained on MS basal medium containing 30 g L−1 sucrose, 4 mg L−1 ; 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D), 0.01 mg L−1 6‐benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 200 mg L−1 casein hydrolysate. The regenerants were rooted on hormone free MS basal medium supplemented with 30 g L−1 sucrose, successfully established in soil under greenhouse conditions, and did not show any phenotypic differences compared with wild‐type Tifton 85 plants.

In the southeastern U.S., few warm-season legumes grow rapidly, have high nutritional value, and tolerate high rainfall and temporary waterlogging. Soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and cowpea [ Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] are two warm-season legumes that are fairly well adapted to growing conditions in the southeastern U.S., however little is known about their production under high moisture and high temperature conditions. This study examined the feasibility of growing soybean and cowpea and their nutritional value under specific stress conditions common in subtropical environments. Significant ( P < 0.05) dry biomass (DB) differences were found among soybean averaging 2.8 ton/acre (1999) to 3.0 ton/acre (2000) from a single harvest. Cowpea appeared to be more sensitive to saturated soil conditions; ‘Florida Clay’ cowpea yielded 0.4 ton/acre and ‘Iron Clay’ cowpea died from saturated soil. Mean differences in crude protein (CP) and in vitro organic matter digestion (IVOMD) among legumes were significant in 2000 ( P < 0.012) and 2001 ( P < 0.019), but not in 1999. Highest IVOMD yields were noted for ‘F94-2290’ Long Juvenile (LJ) (3554 lb/acre in 1999) and ‘Biloxi’ (3925 lb/acre in 2000; 3074 lb/acre in 2001). These data indicate that soybean with high DB yields are best suited for forage production under subtropical environmental conditions. Long Juvenile soybean and Biloxi performed best overall, while cowpea tended to be more sensitive to excessive moisture and wet soil conditions.

Crop ScienceVolume 45, Issue 5 p. 2123-2124 Registrations of Cultivar Registration of 'Southern Belle' Red Clover K.H. Quesenberry, Corresponding Author K.H. Quesenberry [email protected] P.O. Box 110500, Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0500 Corresponding author ([email protected])Search for more papers by this authorA.R. Blount, A.R. Blount North Florida REC-Marianna, 3925 Hwy 71, Marianna, FL, 32446-7906Search for more papers by this authorL.S. Dunavin, L.S. Dunavin West Florida REC, P.O. Box 3634, Milton, FL, 32572-3634Search for more papers by this authorP. Mislevy, P. Mislevy Range Cattle REC, 3401 Experiment Station, Ona, FL, 33865-9706Search for more papers by this author K.H. Quesenberry, Corresponding Author K.H. Quesenberry [email protected] P.O. Box 110500, Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0500 Corresponding author ([email protected])Search for more papers by this authorA.R. Blount, A.R. Blount North Florida REC-Marianna, 3925 Hwy 71, Marianna, FL, 32446-7906Search for more papers by this authorL.S. Dunavin, L.S. Dunavin West Florida REC, P.O. Box 3634, Milton, FL, 32572-3634Search for more papers by this authorP. Mislevy, P. Mislevy Range Cattle REC, 3401 Experiment Station, Ona, FL, 33865-9706Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 September 2005 https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2004.0490Citations: 8 Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series number R-10160. Registration by CSSA. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume45, Issue5September–October 2005Pages 2123-2124 RelatedInformation

Management practices minimizing P application in agricultural catchments ultimately reduce P export to waters. To determine stargrass ( Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst var. nlemfuensis ) response to P and K, eight rates of P and K were applied on experimental units located on Pomona fine sand (sandy, siliceous, hyperthermia Ultic Alaquods) Spodosols, and arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The forage yield was less from 39:0 (P/K; kg ha −1 yr −1 ) treatment than the experimental units supplied with 93 kg K ha −1 yr −1 and low P (10 and 20 kg ha −1 yr −1 ) in all years with exception in 1998 (i.e., the year of grass establishment), indicating efficient P utilization due to K applications. No significant differences were obtained in in‐vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) from the applications of 10 kg P ha −1 yr −1 and 93 kg K ha −1 yr −1 . The applications of 10 and 93 kg ha −1 yr −1 of P and K, respectively, provided efficient P utilization. Phosphorus mass balance showed that stargrass receiving 10 and 93 kg ha −1 yr −1 of P and K, respectively, removed maximum P (161% of the applied P) by uptake from soils. This may indicate the capability of stargrass to mine P from subsoils if sufficient K is supplied, and also suggests that stargrass may be useful for crop phytoremediation on P‐impacted sites. In general, this study indicates that applications of 10 kg P ha −1 yr −1 in combination with 93 kg K ha −1 yr −1 will maintain forage nutritive value and quantity, and maximize P removals by stargrass. Moreover, the supply of sufficient K appears to be crucial for efficient P utilization by forages, reducing potential adverse effects of P over‐fertilization on water quality.