How Does the Plant Bermuda Grass Reproduce?

Bermuda grass is often used as turf for golf courses.

Bermuda grass is a perennial grass that is native to Africa. It was introduced to the United States in 1751 and has since become a standard for lawns, golf courses, sports fields and turfs or even livestock grazing fields throughout the world. One of the primary benefits of this hardy grass is that it reproduces easily. However, this also makes it an invasive plant that can be difficult to remove from an area.

Seed

Bermuda grass flowers to reproduce.

Common Bermuda grass can be grown from seed. Common varieties have not been hybridized, a process that would make it sterile, and are popular in lawns, pastures, and turfs. Common Bermuda grass produces flowers June through September; flowering stems produce several branches that bloom and then drop seeds. When planting Bermuda grass seed, use about 1 lb. of seed for every 1,000 square feet.

Stolons

The stolon is the part of the grass that appears above the ground. The stolon is a shoot that can grow into a new plant. Stolons can be planted directly into moist soil; they can even grow when left on top of the ground, if enough moisture is available. This is an asexual type of reproduction, used in propagation of hybrid Bermuda grass varieties, but common varieties can reproduce in this way as well.

Rhizomes

Rhizomes are shoots that spread underground. They grow horizontally under the soil, usually between 1 and 6 inches deep. Each rhizome can root and grow into a new plant. Rhizomal reproduction is what makes Bermuda grass so difficult to eradicate---even if the grass is removed, a single root left behind can grow back again. This is a benefit for sports fields and turfs, as Bermuda grass can survive heavy wear and still grow back the next year.

Commercial Propagation

Bermuda grass has been heavily hybridized to create a range of varieties that serve different purposes. It is often sold in strips of sod, pre-grown grass that is laid on top of soil. Bermuda grass is also grown by "sprigging" and "stolonizing." Sprigging involves planting a piece of grass that is at least 6 inches long and includes the stolon, roots and rhizomes. Stolonizing involves planting above-ground parts only. These are planted at 5 to 15 bushels per 1,000 square feet and must be kept moist long enough to grow new roots.

Controlling Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is notoriously hard to kill because it is so good at reproduction. Some methods of removal include drying out the soil and digging up the roots and rhizomes; covering the grass with black plastic to starve it; covering grass with clear plastic on hot days to burn it; and, when all else fails, using herbicide. However, use of herbicide can kill other plants as well.

References

• University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: Weed Gallery: Bermudagrass
• Texas A&M: Aggie Horticulture: Bermudagrass "The Sports Turf of the South"
• Alabama A&M: Varieties of Bermudagrass
• University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: Bermudagrass Management