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Paspalum vaginatum (Seashore paspalum)

Seashore paspalum is known for its good wear tolerance and high salt tolerance. Seashore paspalum is mostly used on golf courses situated in warm seasoned areas, but is also gaining popularity on sports fields and personal lawns.

Until 2005 the only way to establish seashore paspalum was by sod, sprigs or stolons. After 2005 the first seeded seashore paspalum, Sea Spray, became readily available.

Seashore Paspalum Seed - Sea Spray - Seashore paspalum is a warm season grass commonly used for lawns, golf courses, landscaping, parks and recreation areas. Seashore Paspalum seed is the only high salt tolerant grass seed available. Sea Spray is best for areas no farther north than 30 to 35 degree latitude. Within its "comfort zone," Seaspray Paspalum displays excellent resistance to dollar spot, in addition to its primary characteristic of salt tolerance. Sea Spray is an excellent choice for environmentally conscious superintendents and home owners, especially those with water quality issues such as a need to use effluent water for irrigation. Certainly in areas where water shortages occur, where saline conditions are unusually high, or where water reclamation projects are undertaken, Sea Spray provides an attractive option for beautiful turf despite these conditions.

History
Sea Spray paspalum seed was developed by Pure Seed Testing in cooperation with the University of Georgia, and bred by Dr. Ronny Duncan, Sea Spray is the first release of an improved, seeded Seashore Paspalum. An extremely salt tolerant turfgrass, Sea Spray has outstanding turf quality, a bright green color, and a beautiful, uniform appearance. Ideal for temperate to hot, humid coastal climates, Sea Spray also affords excellent drought tolerance and good shade tolerance.

During the 1980s, the University of Georgia-Griffin began to conduct research on the salt tolerance of seashore paspalum. They examined how the species was able to thrive under saline conditions that no other species could even survive in. Previous work helped establish seashore paspalum as a viable option for turfgrass areas that were constantly under stress from high salt levels.

The first breeding program was initiated in 1993 and was funded by the United States Golf Association. Before long, the golf industry became the foremost advocate of the species and continues to be so to this day. This early breeding work directly led to the development of the first successful sprigged turfgrass varieties.

In 1998, Pure-Seed Testing Inc., in cooperation with the University of Georgia, started work on developing an improved, seeded variety of seashore paspalum. For many years, Pure-Seed Testing Inc. evaluated seashore paspalum clones to determine which parents would produce viable Sea Spray seed. Sea Spray seeded seashore paspalum was introduced to the golf course industry in 2005.

Currently, there are many completed golf course projects that have made Sea Spray their seashore paspalum selection, and the success with this new revolutionary advancement will change the course of development in the turf industry.

Where can Sea Spray Paspalum be Planted?
Seashore paspalum is, of course, a warm-season grass, so Sea Spray is best for courses no farther north than 30 to 35 degree latitude. Within its "comfort zone," it displays excellent resistance to dollar spot, in addition to its primary characteristic of salt tolerance. Sea Spray is an excellent choice for environmentally conscious superintendents, especially those with water quality issues such as a need to use effluent water for irrigation. Certainly in areas where water shortages occur, where saline conditions are unusually high, or where water reclamation projects are undertaken, Sea Spray provides an attractive option for beautiful turf despite these conditions.

Seashore Paspalum for Lawns
Seashore Paspalum requires very well prepared soil or seedbed to ensure a good germination and establishment. The seed bed should be clean and free of other grasses. Seed depth should not be deeper than 1/4 inch. The seeded area should be watered for 45 minute intervals 3 to 4 times per day. Germination of seashore can take as long as 45 days. Different soil types require more or less water. Standing water should not occur but soil moisture should always be present for the germination process to be stimulated.

Preparation for Seeding
Whether establishing a new seedbed or renovating existing turf, it is important to begin with a firm and smooth soil surface, which is relatively free of debris. If renovating existing turf, apply a non-selective herbicide in order to kill all existing turf, then rake the soil to remove excess matter and create a smooth surface. Fumigation is the most effective alternative to herbicide in removing undesirable grasses. Bermudagrass is best removed with fumigation, since non-selective herbicides may not completely kill all of the vegetative tissue. Note that seashore paspalum is sensitive to some herbicides, so check the herbicide label before applying.

Good soil to seed contact is very important to successful establishment, so the surface should be lightly raked and then gently rolled after seeding. For best performance, the soil needs to be tilled to a depth of 2 to 3 inches, which provides a lodging place for the seed and affords good soil-to-seed contact. Utilizing a "drill seeder" (like a Brillion Seeder) provides the best method of incorporating the seed into the soil. Another alternative is using mulch or turf blankets to providing a good cover for establishing Sea Spray seeded seashore paspalum.

Seeding Rates
The recommended seeding rate is 1 to 2 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft.

Planting Time
The best time to seed is late spring through mid-summer; fall plantings are not recommended except in warm climates where seeding can be done year-round. The ideal germination temperatures are 80 to 95 F (27-35C). Mulch or a seed blanket can be used to improve the moisture retention of the seedbed.


Seed vs Sprigs
Traditionally, seashore paspalum spreads through stolons and rhizomes, rather than through seeding. This presents a potential problem for superintendents who wish to propagate the species through sprigging on their golf courses: How much is enough? If one orders a bushel of sprigs, it's difficult to know how much plant material will be sent. Has the bushel of sprigs been compacted or is it filled loosely or something in between? The advantage of seeded seashore paspalum lies in the consistency of volume in the seed approximately 800,000 per raw pound. Given this dependable measure, there's no guesswork in determining the amount needed to establish coverage over any given area. Obviously, working with a known quantity is easier and ultimately more economical, than working with an unknown quantity.

Uses for Sea Spray Paspalum Seed:

• Turf areas irrigated with effluent water or subject to naturally high saline conditions.
• Interseeding improved, vegetative Seashore Paspalums such as Salam, Excalibre, SeaIsle 1, SeaWay, and Millenium.
• Golf Tees, Fairways, Roughs
• Parks, Recreational turf
• Sod production
• Low maintenance turf
• Erosion control, Coastal sites influenced by salt

Growth Habit and Characteristics:

• Aggressive, prostrate, spreading growth habit
• Uniform, moderately dense turf with bright green color/medium blade texture
• Aggressive stolon and rhizome growth
• Prefers soils with moderate to high salinity. Tolerant of most soil types, pH range of 4.5 - 9.0

Performance Characteristics and Adaptations:

• Very high salt tolerance, Greater than bermuda grass
• Full sun to moderate shade tolerance
• Excellent drought tolerance
• Better cold tolerance than most bermuda grasses
• With high nitrogen, lower mowing heights afford good winter color in mild winter climates
• Good wear tolerance, Moderate recovery
• Very good performance in wet, boggy conditions
• Tolerates 0.5" to 1.5" cutting height
• Very good disease tolerance in saline conditions

Establishment and Maintenance:

• Seed at 1 lb. per 1000 sq. ft.
• Best planted late spring through mid-summer
• Requires good quality water for establishment (30 days)
• Seedbed should be kept moist during germination
• Germinates in 10-17 days with optimal soil conditions, 65-80 F. Do not plant with soil temperatures below 60 F. Full coverage in approximately 8-10 weeks
• First mowing recommended when turf reaches approximately 1" in height

Established Turf Maintenance:

• For best performance, fertilize at annual rate of 2-3 lbs N per 1000 sq ft. Early fall and spring fertilizations best. Summer fertility with high nitrogen is not recommended. Avoid applications of more than 0.5 lb. of fast release, water-soluble nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. Sea Spray likes potassium & chlorine
• Recommended mowing height: 0.5" to 1.5" with reel mowers. To reduce incidence of scalping during summer season, gradually increase mowing height during peak growing conditions
• Deep, infrequent irrigations are best throughout the growing season