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| ## bermudagrass {#bermudagrass .Title-Header}                         |
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| *Cynodon dactylon* (L.) Pers.                                         |
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| Plant Symbol = CYDA                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![Color image of Bermudagrass (Cynodon
dactylon)](media/image2.png){width="2.9866141732283467in"
height="1.948031496062992in"}

##### Caution: This plant is considered noxious in several states and invasive by several sources. Please check the Noxious and Invasive portion of PLANTS for additional information. Please consult with your local resource specialist prior to using. {#caution-this-plant-is-considered-noxious-in-several-states-and-invasive-by-several-sources.-please-check-the-noxious-and-invasive-portion-of-plants-for-additional-information.-please-consult-with-your-local-resource-specialist-prior-to-using. .Header-3}

#####  {#section .Header-3}

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Erosion control*: Bermudagrass is used for critical area planting
(including channels and pond banks), grassed waterways, and vegetated
flumes.

*Turf*: This grass is suitable for lawns and public areas, and is
recommended for problem soils and heavy traffic areas.

*Livestock*: Bermudagrass provides fair to good pasture and hay with
proper management. Forage quality is dependent on soil fertility and
stage of growth.

*Wildlife*: Bermudagrass has forage value for deer, geese and ducks in
open, sunny areas.

*Recreation*: Turf types of the grass form attractive,
traffic-resistant, weed-free, and low maintenance ground covers for
areas with half to full day sun.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Weediness {#weediness .Header-3}

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and
may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please
consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service
office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding
its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS
Web site at plants.usda.gov.

##### 

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Bermudagrass, is of probable Asian origin and was documented as an
important grass in the United States by l807. It is a long-lived, warm
season perennial that spreads by rhizomes, stolons, and seed. Stems are
leafy, branched, and 4 to 6 inches tall. Under favorable conditions,
stems may be 12 to 18 inches high. Stems are short jointed. Leaves are
flat and spreading. The ligule is a circle of white hairs. Leaves may be
hairy or smooth. Seedheads are usually in one whorl of 3 to 7 spikes,
each about 1 to 2-1/2 inches long. Some robust forms may have up to 10
spikes in 2 whorls.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Although a few hardy strains of Bermudagrass persist in areas with
sub-zero winter temperatures, it has achieved importance only in areas
of relatively mild winters. Once established on moderately deep to deep
soils, Bermudagrass maintains dense sod, non-irrigated, with 16 inches
of rainfall. It can withstand sedimentation and long periods of
inundation. It prefers full sun and can grow rapidly at air temperatures
exceeding 100°F.

Bermudagrass prefers deep soils but produces well on moderately shallow
sites under irrigation and good management. It persists on poor soils
but require high nitrogen levels for best appearance. It withstands pH
ranges from about 5.0 to 8.5 and is boron tolerant. It tolerates saline
soils with up to 18 millimhos of electrical conductivity in the soil
solution.

Bermudagrass is distributed throughout the majority of the United
States. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile
page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Stands may be established by use of seed, sprigs, or plugs planted
during mid-spring to mid-summer followed by frequent applications of
fertilizer and water. Early planting is most important in areas of
marginal adaptability.

Beds for seeding or planting should be firm, smooth, and free of weed
seed. For turf plantings, absolute smoothness is necessary for close
mowing following establishment. Seed, sprigs, or plugs should be placed
into moist soil.

For pasture or hay, drill 3 pounds pure live seed per acre at 1/2 inch
depth or less. For turf, use 10 pounds of seed per acre. Higher seeding
rates are advisable if seed must be broadcast. If using sprigs,
broadcast by hand or with hydro-equipment. Punching and irrigation, if
needed, must be done immediately following spreading to keep the sprigs
from drying out. Surface soil moisture must be kept high while roots and
shoots develop at the sprig nodes.

Fifteen bushels of sprigs per acre disk punched or covered with 1-1/2
inches of soil followed by irrigation as needed ordinarily gives fully
established stands in one growing season. On saline soils planting in
the side of furrows is desirable so salts will accumulate on the ridges
above grass rows.

Use of sod rolls or plugs cut from sod is often a preferred method of
establishing turf-type Bermuda on critical sites. Plugs of 3 inch
diameter planted on 15 to 18 inch centers will ordinarily establish
complete cover in 1 growing season with adequate fertilizer, moisture
and half-day to full sun. Complete sodding is preferred for very
critical areas or where immediate foot traffic is contemplated. Care
immediately following planting is less critical on plantings of sod or
plugs than turf-type sprigs.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

High quality turf will require frequent very low mowing, fertilizer, and
water for vigorous growth. Clippings must be removed. A sharp reel-type
mower will avoid unsightly scalping. Good to fair quality turf can be
maintained on short water and low fertilizer schedules, thereby reducing
mowing frequency.

Bermudagrass will persist as a weed-free ground cover on soils of
moderate to high water-holding capacity. Where desirable and
permissible, mid-winter controlled burning can be used to reduce thatch.
Most herbicides used at recommended rates with reasonable care can be
used to control undesirable plants without destroying fully established
Bermudagrass. Applications of nitrogen every 2 to 5 years will be needed
to maintain vigorous stands on most sites.

Both pasture and hay require good rainfall and heavy fertilizer
application for high yield and quality. Thirty to forty pounds of
nitrogen should be applied in split increments for each ton of
anticipated dry forage yield. Highest yields are obtained on good soils
in areas of high average annual temperature with ample water. Harvest or
graze at 3 to 4 week intervals for best yields of total digestible
nutrient and protein.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Several white grubs are known to feed on the root system, however they
are normally not a major pest.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

'Santa Ana', 'Tifway', 'Tifgreen', 'Tifdwarf', 'Tufcote', 'Brazos',
'Quickstand', 'Coastal', 'Coastcross-1', and 'Midland'. All form dense,
fine-textured, weed-free sods and tolerate drought, close mowing and
heavy traffic, even on problem soils. Seeds, springs, and sod are all
commercially available.

##### Control {#control .Header-3}

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county
weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it
safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control
method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to
provide specific information. USDA, NRCS does not guarantee or warranty
the products and control methods named, and other products may be
equally effective.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 10Aug2000 JLK; 05jun06 jsp {#edited-10aug2000-jlk-05jun06-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
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