Evaluation of turf quality characteristics of Huanan Centipede grass

To study the turf quality characteristics and popularization value of Huanan centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides ‘Huanan’) with wild centipede grass and American Common centipede grass as controls, the turf characteristics (coverage, density, uniformity, color, and texture), adaptability (turf-establishment time, green period, resistance, and overwintering and over-summering rate), and comprehensive quality of the three centipede grasses were observed and evaluated during the 3 experimental years. The results showed that all three centipede grasses grew normally in Guangzhou. Compared with the wild centipede grass and the American Common centipede grass, ‘Huanan’ centipede grass displayed advantages in terms of texture and green period. The leaf width of Huanan centipede grass was 3.24 mm, which was 17.97% and 21.36% narrower than the 3.95 mm of the wild centipede grass and 4.12 mm of the American Common centipede grass, respectively. The green period was 336 days, which was 29 and 32 days longer than that of the wild centipede grass and American Common centipede grass, respectively. The turf quality was evaluated and ranked as Huanan > Wild > American Common, indicating that Huanan centipede grass could be used as a good turf grass in South China and similar climatic regions.