Research
12-Month
Sod Farm Research Project: Cost comparison between growing Seashore
Paspalum vs. Bermudagrass on a sod farm over a 12 month period.
Research conducted by Rex Cunningham, farm manager for Emerald Island
Turf in Avon Park, Florida.
The findings:
| ACTUAL COST COMPARISON - SEASHORE PASPALUM VS. BERMUDA | | | lbs.
peracre
peryr. | lbs.
per1,000 sq. ft.
peryr. | cost
per1,000 sq. ft.
peryr. | Cost Per Acre | | Paspalum | | | | | | Nitrogen (N) | 174 | 4 | | | | Phosphorous (P) | 348 | 8 | | | | Potassium (K) | 522 | 12 | $6.48 | $282.27 | | | | Bermuda | | | | | | Nitrogen (N) | 522 | 12 | | | | Phosphorous (P) | 130 | 3 | | | | Potassium (K) | 260 | 6 | $11.52 | $501.81 |
| Dollar Difference per acre: $219.54 - 56.6% |
Summary of findings:
- Seashore Paspalum cost 56.6 percent LESS to grow
per acre than Bermudagrass. This does not take into consideration the
additional savings on water and decreased mowing frequency.
- Mowed Seashore Paspalum 1 time to Bermuda's 2 times.
- Seashore Paspalum used approximately 50 percent of the water Bermuda used.
- All figures based on current fertilizer costs
and are site specific to Emerald Island Turf, Avon Park, Florida, sod
farm. Cost savings will always be site specific.
- Based on a 12-month growing period. Results will vary from site to site.
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