CROP OF THE WEEK: BERMUDA GRASS SEED

• Most of the world's supply of registered Bermuda grass seed is grown in Yuma County. There are few other spots known where Bermuda grass will even produce viable seed.

• In 2008-09, Bermuda grass for seed production was planted on 1,700 acres in the Yuma area, with a value per acre of $1,050, according to the latest statistics provided by the Yuma County Cooperative Extension. Total crop gross value for the year was $1.7 million. Bermuda can produce as much as 1,000 pounds of seed per acre.

• The seed is used to plant on America's lawns, sports fields and golf courses around the Southern U.S. and in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It is also grown for hay, meadows and pastures, and for erosion control on levees and fields.

• From 1940 to 1952, when irrigation water was obtained from wells which were becoming more saline each year, Bermuda grass seed crop was the mainstay of area farmers and kept them in business until Colorado River water became available through canals.

• Bermuda grass is named after the Atlantic islands of the same name, where it is abundant as an invasive species on Bermuda - it does not occur naturally there. It is believed Bermuda grass seed was both swept to the island from Africa by tropical winds and brought to the island by slaves and traders who arrived carrying the seed.

• Bermuda grass is very hardy after once becoming established. It can live for months without moisture. And it lived for more than two years when submerged by the Salton Sea in Imperial Valley, making renewed growth when the water evaporated.

• Because Bermuda grass has specialized growth stems and a relatively rapid growth rate, it is usually excellent at crowding out weeds. This is the primary reason why Bermuda grows back so well when it is injured. Underground shoots (called rhizomes) help Bermuda grass fill in void spots in a lawn. Above ground runners (stolons), similar to those on strawberry plants, serve the same function. While these properties are highly beneficial, they are often disdained as making Bermuda grass an “invasive weed” where it is not wanted.

• Like almost all of our turfgrass species, Bermuda grass is an introduced plant to the United States. The origin of the first introduction of Bermuda grass most likely came from contaminated hay, which was used as bedding when slaves were brought to America.

Source: Kurt Nolte is an agriculture agent and Yuma County Cooperative Extension director. He can be reached at knolte@cals.arizona.edu or 726-3904.