History of Sea Spray Seashore Paspalum
During the 1980s, the University of Georgia-Griffin began to conduct research on the salt tolerance of seashore paspalum. They examined how the species was able to thrive under saline conditions that no other species could even survive in. Previous work helped establish seashore paspalum as a viable option for turfgrass areas that were constantly under stress from high salt levels.
The first breeding program was initiated in 1993 and was funded by the United States Golf Association. Before long, the golf industry became the foremost advocate of the species and continues to be so to this day. This early breeding work directly led to the development of the first successful sprigged turfgrass varieties.
In 1998, Pure-Seed Testing, Inc., in cooperation with the University of Georgia, started work on developing an improved, seeded variety of seashore paspalum. For many years Pure-Seed Testing, Inc., evaluated seashore paspalum clones to determine the parents of Sea Spray which would produce viable seed. Turf-Seed, Inc., licensed Sea Spray in 2003 and continued research in seed production techniques while increasing production of the variety. Sea Spray was introduced into the golf course industry in 2005.
Why Sea Spray Seashore Paspalum is Right For You
Sea Spray is the first release of an improved, seeded seashore paspalum. An extremely salt tolerant turfgrass, it provides outstanding turf quality, a bright blue-green color, and a beautiful, uniform appearance. Sea Spray is ideal for temperate-to-hot, humid coastal climates and affords excellent drought tolerance due to its deep and extensive root system. Sea Spray is excellent for use on turfgrass areas irrigated with effluent water or subject to naturally high saline conditions, as it is capable of germinating with water containing less than 2,000 ppm salt (although fresh water is recommended) and tolerating soil with a pH range of 4.5-9.0. It has also been found that seashore paspalum transitions out of overseeding better and more smoothly than bermudagrass.
Sea Spray, like all paspalum, is an excellent environmental turfgrass. Along with salinity, Sea Spray tolerates drought, water logging/low oxygen, low-light intensity, and traffic. It needs less nitrogen, due to rapid nutrient uptake and use characteristics. It also requires less water than other grasses and has bioremediation/land reclamation benefits, as it is capable of actually removing salt from the soil.
From a player’s point of view, seashore paspalum is often considered an improvement upon bermudagrass and other varieties typically found on southern golf courses. Many players find an improved lie on tees and fairways, due to its dense and upright growth characteristics, but the species also offers better striping, a vibrant green color and increased cool-weather color retention. Add the ease of use through the seeded variety and Sea Spray becomes a clear and natural choice.
When To Plant Seashore Paspalum
Warm-season turfgrasses grow best in a temperature range of 80° to 95°F (27°-35°C). A light topdressing of sand or dark mulch may help if temperatures are less than optimum.
Where To Plant Seashore Paspalum
Seashore paspalum is, of course, a warmseason grass, so Sea Spray is best for courses no farther north than 30−35° of latitude. Within its “comfort zone,” it displays excellent resistance to dollar spot in addition to its primary characteristic of salt tolerance. Sea Spray is an excellent choice for environmentally conscious superintendents, especially those with water quality issues such as a need to use effluent water for irrigation. Certainly in areas where water shortages occur, or where saline conditions are unusually high, or where water reclamation projects are undertaken, Sea Spray provides an attractive option for beautiful turf despite these conditions.
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Uses
- Turf areas irrigated with effluent water or subject to naturally high saline conditions.
- Interseeding improved, vegetative Seashore Paspalums
- Golf Tees / Fairways / Roughs
- Parks / Recreational turf
- Sod production
- Low maintenance turf
- Erosion control / Coastal sites influenced by salt
Characteristics
- Aggressive, prostrate, spreading growth habit
- Uniform, moderately dense turf with bright green color/medium blade texture
- Aggressive stolon and rhizome growth
- Prefers soils with moderate to high salinity. Tolerant of most soil types, pH range of 4.5 - 9.0
- Very high salt tolerance/greater than bermudagrass
- Full sun to moderate shade tolerance
- Excellent drought tolerance
- Better cold tolerance than most bermudagrasses
- With high nitrogen/lower mowing heights afford good winter color in mild winter climates
- Good wear tolerance/Moderate recovery
- Very good performance in wet, boggy conditions
- Tolerates 0.5" to 1.5" cutting height
- Very good disease tolerance in saline conditions
Estalishment & Maintenance
- Seed at 1 - 2 lb per 1000 sq. ft.
- Best planted late spring through mid-summer
- Requires good quality water for establishment (30 days)
- Seedbed should be kept moist during germination
- Germinates in 10 - 17 days with optimal soil conditions, 65-80 F. Do not plant with soil temperatures below 60 F. Full coverage in approximately 8-10 weeks
- Able to tolerate cutting heights as low as 1/10 inch (0.25 cm), Sea Spray is an excellent choice for greens, but it serves equally well on tees, fairways, and, roughs as well as sports and recreational turf. The recommended mowing height is 0.5 to 1.5 inches (1.3-3.8 cm) with a reel mower. To minimize the possibility of scalping, especially during the summer season, gradually reduce the mowing height during peak growing conditions.
- Deep, infrequent irrigations—about 1 inch every week or two—are best throughout the growing season.
Fertilizer applications should emphasize potassium and phosphorus over nitrogen— the recommended ratio for the first month is 1:2:3 or 1:3:4. Apply 0.3-0.5 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft (1.5-2.4 g/m2) in the nitrate (NO3) form weekly until uniform turf coverage is achieved. This can be applied either in granular, liquid form or through the use of fertigation. Then, fertilize annually at a rate of 2 to 3 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft (9.8-14.7 g/m2) during early fall or spring, and do not exceed 4 lbs (1.8 g) per year. Fertilizer Levels As mentioned, fertilize annually at a rate of 2 to 3 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft during early fall or spring, and do not exceed 4 lbs per year. Also, avoid applications of more than 0.5 lbs of fast-release, water-soluble nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft (2.4 g/m2)—high-index salt fertilizers work very well with Sea Spray. High levels of phosphorus should always be available to the plant. In salt-affected environments, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and iron should be monitored for deficiencies.
Seeding Rate
Seed Seashore Paspalum at 1 lb - 2 lbs per 1,000 square feet.
