Hybrid Bermudagrass Responses to Impaired Water Sources

Low-quality (i.e., impaired) water sources are commonly used to irrigate warm-season turfgrass landscapes as a result of limited supplies potable sources. Currently, there is great need define the impacts impaired on consumption, growth, and quality. The objectives this study were characterize actual evaporation (ET ), clipping production, quality three hybrid bermudagrass varieties [‘TifTuf’, ‘Tifway’, ‘Midiron’; Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. traansvalensis Burtt Davy] grown under [reverse osmosis (RO), local well, recycled], each supplied at full irrigation levels (1.0 ET ) over two 8-week periods. When pooling across source date, TifTuf maintained highest visual normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) compared with both Midiron Tifway. This was accompanied by greater daily rate, use efficiency (WUE) in studies. variety receiving recycled 5% 10% less than those well or RO water. In addition, turfgrasses held greatest NDVI either summer study. Visual also fall. Despite having lower periods, these plants had significantly production summer. Also, did not differ from other fall Furthermoe, studies, WUE similar for Results demonstrated that influences critical factors growth considerable variability exists among commercially available evapotranspiration rates, quality, production.