Rooting Characteristics of Buffalograsses Grown in Flexible Plastic Tubes

Rooting characteristics of 22 buffalograss [ Buchloë dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] genotypes were determined by growing plants in clear, sand-filled polyethylene tubes in a glasshouse. Differences were observed among entries for average maximum root depth, total root weight, root count and weight at increasing 100-mm depth increments, and total shoot weight. Average maximum root depth was positively correlated with total root weight ( r = 0.59) and with root count at each 100-mm root profile depth. Root count and weight across all vertical root profile sections were highly correlated ( r = 0.81). Total shoot weight was weakly correlated with average maximum root depth but not at all with total root weight. Grasses with superior rooting characteristics (deeply rooted, with larger root mass and count in the lower root profile sections) included AZ-143, NTDG-1, and `315' (NE84-315).