Improving Resource Use Efficiency in Warm-Season Turf Grass Production Systems

Abstract

There is growing importance of developing agronomic strategies for improving resource use efficiency in warm-season turfgrass systems. Currently, there is a lack of scientific data regarding consumptive water use and minimal water requirements of warm-season turfgrasses in the south-central United States. Such information is needed for water permitting and conservation purposes by water purveyors, municipalities, turfgrass managers, and turfgrass producers. Additionally, while demand for plastic grown sod has increased in recent years, best practices for establishment of this product have not been examined. To address these issues, field and greenhouse studies were conducted at Texas A&M University during 2021-2022. The objectives of the field study were to use weighing lysimeters to quantify actual evapotranspiration under both well-watered and water-stressed conditions for developing crop and stress coefficients for experimental lines and commercial cultivars of warm-season turfgrass species including bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy], zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.), St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze], and seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz.). Significant differences in crop coeffect were observed among the cultivars during well-watered conditions. When averaging across the season, St. Augustinegrass and seashore paspalum crop coeffect were highest, approaching 0.8 to 0.9, while hybrid bermudagrass cultivars ‘Tifway’ and ‘TifTuf’ were noticeably lower, with crop coeffect averaging only 0.6. Zoysiagrass crop coeffect were generally intermediate and somewhat more variable. During water deficit conditions, measured stress coeffect noticeably decreased in all entries, and there were again significant cultivar differences observed for stress coeffect. The stress coeffects were variable, ranging from 0.55 to 0.75, with no obvious trends occurring due to species. Greenhouse studies evaluated the influence of sand topdressing particle size distribution (medium-fine vs. medium-coarse sand), mowing frequency (once vs thrice weekly) and plant growth regulator application (trinexapac-ethyl at 0 vs. 0.73 L ha−1 per 14 days) on rate of establishment, turf quality, tensile strength, and root/rhizome development of plastic-grown ‘Latitude 36’ hybrid bermudagrass sod. Results of the study showed the combination of medium-fine sand + once weekly mowing + plant growth regulator produced the highest tensile strength, second highest green cover and turf quality when compared to all other treatment combinations. The data will contribute to development of establishment programs for improved PGS production.