New stands will often benefit from the application of 100 to 150 

 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare and 30 to 50 kilograms of phosphate 

 per hectare the first growing season. Application should begin as soon 

 as new growth emerges and the total amount for the year should be divided 

 into two or three applications, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Fertilization 

 after the first year should be adjusted to growth and appearance of the 

 plants. It is usually not needed with substantial sand accumulation. 

 Excessive fertilization is wasteful and can be harmful. 



The same general principles apply to sand-starved stands. Poor stands 

 will benefit from up to 150 kilograms of nitrogen and 30 to 50 kilograms 

 of phosphate per hectare annually in two or three applications each year 

 for 1 to 3 years. Stands that have not seriously declined may be main- 

 tained with an application of 30 to 50 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare 

 applied in early spring, at intervals of 1 or more years. Fertilization 

 practice should always be adjusted to the growth and appearance of the 

 grass. Excessive growth may mat down and promote disease damage and 

 plant loss. 



Fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphate in the suggested ratio 

 are not widely available and, lacking these, the same effect can be 

 obtained by alternating application of 10-10-10 or the equivalent with 

 one or two applications of a straight nitrogen material such as ammonium 

 nitrate, ammonium sulfate, or urea to approximate the desired ratio of 

 nitrogen to phosphate. The added potassium is of no value but not 

 harmful. 



Fully established American beachgrass stands require protection from 

 foot and vehicular traffic and prompt replanting of breaks that may lead 

 to blowouts. The grass will tolerate moderate foot traffic but very 

 little vehicular traffic. Suitable ramps and walkways should be pro- 

 vided where this traffic is expected. These structures should be ele- 

 vated to permit growth under them. Accumulation of dead leaves and stems 

 in established stands of American beachgrass can create a fire hazard 

 during the winter and early spring. However, this grass will tolerate 

 burning during this period. Controlled burning may be advisable in some 

 cases to reduce the wildfire hazard or to control pests. American beach- 

 grass will also tolerate occasional mowing. However, if repeated mowing 

 is required, a different species should be planted. 



In the North Atlantic region, American beachgrass may be killed by the 

 soft scale, Evioooccus carotinae. This usually does not occur until stands 

 are 2 or more years old. Losses are usually small where sand is accumu- 

 lating. However, this pest can eliminate growth from sizable areas and 

 may cause a serious loss of protective cover in a monospecific stand. In 

 such cases, it is useless to replant affected areas with American beach- 

 grass. Replant with bitter panicum, coastal panic grass {Pccnicum amaralim) , 

 or Bermuda grass {Cynodon daatylon) . 



(b) Bitter Panicum . Bitter panicum (dune panic grass in 

 New England) offers promise as a companion to American beachgrass, 



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