Sod for Greens and Tees Penncross Bent

Turfgrass évapotranspiration. R. Tovey, J. S. Spencer and D. C. • Muckel. 1969. Agronomy Journal. 61:863-867. (from the University of Nevada, Reno, Ne v. 89507). The lysimeter technique was utilized to measure the rate of évapotranspi ra t ion from two types of turf grown on two different soil textures. The two types of turfgrass were (a) a cool season turf composed primarily of Kentucky bluegrass and red fescue and (b) two varieties (Tifway and Tifgreen) of the warm season species, bermudagrass . Cut t ing height, mowing frequency, fertilization and pest control were typical of the cultural practices used to maintain Kentucky bluegrassred fescue and bermudagrass sods, respectively, under Nevada conditions. The two soil textures were a loam and a sandy loam. The irrigation treatments were (a) twice weekly, (b) a seven day interval and (c) a 10 day interval. The total amount of water applied in each case was equivalent to two inches a week. Each irrigation and soil treatment was replicated three times. Measurements taken included (a) amount of water dra ining through the lysimeter, (b) amount of water applied and (c) total quantity of water lost by évapotranspiration from the turf. The latter measurement was compared with the pan evaporation rate and net radiation measurements. Visual ratings of shoot density and color of turf were also taken. Based on the turfgrass density and color ratings, twice weekly irrigations maintained excellent turfgrass quali ty throughout the growing season including the hot, dry periods. A seven day irrigation interval produced a good quality Kentucky bluegrass-red fescue turf when grown on the loam soil, but was not adequate for the sandy loam soil. A 10 day irrigation interval resulted in thinning of the Kentucky bluegrass-red fescue turf and the invasion of weedy species. Irrigation at a seven day interval was adequate for maintenance of a high quality bermudagrass turf on both the loam and sandy loam soils. The favorable turfgrass responses to the various irrigation frequencies were only achieved when sufficient water was applied to bring the soil root zone to field capacity at each irrigation.