Again, management practices can have a significant influence on the reserve energy status of bermudagrass throughout the year. New shoot production, root dieback with subsequent root production and depletion of energy reserves put bermudagrass in a vulnerable condition during spring green-up. A significant change in temperature, untimely applications of fertilizers or herbicides or competition from cool season grasses could result in a significant loss of bermudagrass turf during the spring transition period. Environmental Factors Affecting Spring Transition. Temperature, shade, moisture, soil conditions, competition and traffic are the major environmental factors affecting bermudagrass recovery in the spring.
Temperature has both direct and indirect effects on spring recovery.
Low temperature kill likely occurs during winter months and should not be considered a part of the spring transition phenomenon, although it would certainly affect spring recovery. About this time some of the old roots of bermudagrass begin to deteriorate and new roots are produced at the node. So long as the temperature remains favorable during this transition period, recovery progresses until complete green-up of the turf occurs. However, if periods of favorable temperatures are interrupted by occasional freezing temperatures, green leaves may be killed and new leaves must be produced. These intermittent freezes delay spring recovery and place a greater demand on the reserve carbohydrates in the stolons and rhizomes of bermudagrass.