Effects of Elemental Sulfur and Seaweed Extract on Growth, Nutrient Status, and Physiological Quality of Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon)

• Hiba Ali Hussein Ismail 1*, , Raad W. Al-Zuhairi 2, Jassim Mohammed Al-Obaidi 3

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This study aimed to evaluate the individual and interactive effects of agricultural sulfur and seaweed extract on the vegetative growth, root development, and chemical and physiological characteristics of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) under hot arid conditions, concerning the combined application of agricultural sulfur and seaweed-based biostimulants for sustainable turfgrass management in arid and semi-arid environments. A field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of the College of Agriculture, University of Diyala, Iraq, from July 2025 to January 2026 using a split-plot arrangement within a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Three sulfur levels 0.0, 1.5, and 2.0  t. ha^-1 and four seaweed extract concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 15 g experimental unit, corresponding to AE_1, AE2, AE3, and AE4) were evaluated with three replications. Agricultural sulfur levels were assigned to the main plots, while seaweed extract levels were allocated to the subplots. The evaluated parameters included plant height, shoot dry matter, root number, total chlorophyll content, and leaf concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and soluble carbohydrates. The results revealed that agricultural sulfur, seaweed extract, and their interaction significantly (P 0.05) improved all measured growth, physiological, and chemical traits. The combined application of the highest sulfur level S3: 2.0 t. ha^-1 and the highest seaweed extract concentration AE4: 15 g experimental unit^-1) significantly increased responses, recording a plant height of 10.92 cm , shoot dry matter of 66.39% , root number of 27.00 roots plant^-1 , total chlorophyll content of 44.07  mg g^-1 FW , nitrogen content of 5.013% , phosphorus content of 0.5883% , potassium content of 4.613% , and soluble carbohydrates of 0.650%.

These findings demonstrate that integrating agricultural sulfur with seaweed extract represents an effective and sustainable management strategy for improving turfgrass growth, physiological performance, leaf nutrient concentrations {N} = 5.013%, {P} = 0.5883%, {K} = 4.613%) , and overall quality under hot arid conditions while enhancing nutrient use efficiency and supporting environmentally sustainable landscape management.

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