texas a&m agrilife extension service - turfgrassmanagement...reaganhejl,m.s....

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ReaganHejl,M.S.ResearchAssociate,TexasA&MUniversity

TurfgrassManagement

TurfgrassLawnsareaResource• Soilerosioncontrol• Duststabilizaon• Enhancegroundwaterrecharge• Improvedsurfacewaterquality• Filteringofchemicalpollutants• Heatdissipaon• Temperaturemoderaon• Noiseabatement• Glarereducon• SequestraonofCO2

• ProduconofO2• Enhancespropertyvalue

SessionOutline• Growth&Morphology

• TurfgrassUse&Selecon

• Mowing&Aerificaon

• NutrientManagement

• Irrigaon

• WeedManagementBasics

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Whatareturfgrasses?

Meristem(GrowingPoint)

Grazing/Mowing

Wheredoturfgrassescomefrom?

• Trueorfalse???• MostturfgrassesusedintheUnitedStatesoriginatedinthisconnent.


• FALSE!!!• MostturfgrassesusedintheUnitedStatesarenavetootherconnents.

• Europe(Bluegrasses,fescues,ryegrasses,andbentgrasses)• Asia(Zoysiagrasses)• Africa(Bermudagrasses)• WestIndies(St.Augusnegrass)

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•WhatistheonlyturfgrassspeciesusedthatisnavetotheUnitedStates????

• Hint:It’snamedaerananimal!!


• Buffalograss(Buchloedactyloides)

CoolSeasonv/sWarmSeasonGrasses

• Coolseasongrasses• Coolseasongrassesaregenerallyadaptedtotemperateandsubarccclimates.

• Theyperformmostoftheirgrowthatairtemperaturesof6075oF.

• Warmseasongrasses• Warmseasongrassesaregenerallyadaptedtotropicalandsubtropicalclimates.

• Theyperformmostoftheirgrowthatairtemperaturesof8095oF.

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• CoolseasongrassesAnnualryegrass KentuckybluegrassCreepingbentgrass PerennialryegrassFinefescue Tallfescue

• WarmseasongrassesBahiagrass SeashorepaspalumBermudagrass St.AugusnegrassBuffalograss ZoysiagrassCenpedegrass


TurfgrassesTransionZone

ToocoldinthewintertogrowwarmseasongrassesToowarminthesummertogrowcoolseasongrasses

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TurfgrassMorphology • Inordertoproperlyidenfyaturfgrassspecies,itisimportanttoknowbasicplantmorphology.

• Thisisadiagramofthemostfundamentalplantcharacteriscsforproperidenficaon.

TurfgrassGrowth

TurfgrassMorphology

• Theturfgrassplantiscomposedofstems,leaves,androots.• Shootsarecomposedofstemsandleaves.

• Itisimportanttounderstandthefunconofeachofthesepartsandhowtheyinteracttosustaintheturfgrassplant.

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TurfgrassMorphologyTypesofstems • Stems

• Astemisapartoftheplantthatiscomposedofjoints,ornodes,andtheareasbetweenthesenodescalledinternodes.

• Nodes• Nodesarewherebudsandleavesoriginateonthestem.

• Internodes• Internodesaretheporonsofthestembetweentwosuccessivenodes.

TurfgrassGrowth

TurfgrassMorphologyTypesofstems • Tillers

• Atypeofstemthatgrowsvercallyincloseproximitytotheexisngplant.

• Allgrassesproducellersthatarereferredtoasprimarylateralstems.

• Grassesthatproducellersonlyarereferredtoas“bunchtype”grasses.

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TurfgrassMorphologyTypesofstems • Bunchtypegrasseslacktheabilitytospreadlaterally.

• Seedingisrequiredifthinningoccurs.

• Examples:• Tallfescue• Perennialryegrass• Annualryegrass

TallfescueBunchtypeGrowthHabit

PerennialryegrassBunchtypeGrowthHabit

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TurfgrassMorphologyGrowthhabits

• Bunchtype• Tallfescue,Perennialryegrass,Annualryegrass,andAnnualbluegrass

• Stoloniferous• Creepingbentgrass,Cenpedegrass,Buffalograss,andSt.Augusnegrass

• Rhizomatous• Kentuckybluegrass,Bahiagrass,andJohnsongrass

• StoloniferousandRhizomatous• BermudagrassandZoysiagrass

TurfgrassMorphologyTypesofstems • RhizomesandStolons

• Stolonsandrhizomesaretypesofstemsthatspreadlaterallygivingrisetonewplants.

• Theyarereferredtoassecondarylateralstems.• Thisqualityallowscertaingrassestospreadintonewareasandrecoverfromwear.

Nodesandinternodes

Node Node Node

Internode Internode

*Each node can produce a new plant.

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TurfgrassMorphologyRhizomes

TurfgrassMorphologyStolons

July2016 July2017

Sprigs

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Sprigs

• Spriggingmachine

SprigsThingstoconsider • Cost:Relavelyexpensive• Timetoestablish:~12weeks

• DependentonspriggingrateandNmanagement• Mustspriginearlytomidsummer

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6Weeksaersprigging

12Weeksaersprigging

TurfgrassKeyforVegetaveIdenficaon

• Itisalsoimportanttoknowthemorphologicalcharacteriscsofaturfgrassplantinorderforthiskeytobeaccurateandeffecve.

• Thecharacteriscstobecomefamiliarwithare:• Vernaon• Ligule• Auricle• Sheath• Collar

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ExamplesofSeedheads St.Augustinegrass

Johnsongrass

Bahiagrass

Bermudagrass

Centipedegrass

TurfgrassGrowth&Morphology TakeawayPoints• Itisimportanttohaveabasicunderstandingof:

• TurfgrassGrowthHabits• Bunchtype,Rhizomatous,Stoloniferous

• Seedheads/Inflorescences• TurfgrassPlantParts

• Ligule,Collar,Auricle• Eachofthesewillplayaroleinproperturfgrassidenficaonandsubsequentmanagement

TurfgrassSeleconandUseItisextremelyimportanttoselecttheproperspeciesandvarietyatplanngandshouldbebasedonperformancefactorssuchas:

•Heat/droughttolerance• Irrigaonrequirements

•Traffictolerance

•Desireduse•Timeofyeartheturfismostused

•Managementcapabilies

•Others…..

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TurfgrassSeleconandUseCoolseasonspeciesarenotwelladaptedformostTexasenvironmentsbecause:

• Lowwateruseefficiency

• Lownitrogenuseefficiency

• Idealtemperaturerangeof6075oF

• Highdiseaseincidence

• Canlackrhizomatousand/orstoloniferousgrowthhabitswhichallowthemtorecoverfromstressesassociatedwithdrought,pests,traffic,etc.

WarmseasonspeciesarewelladaptedforTexasenvironmentsbecause:

• Highwateruseefficiency• Highnitrogenuseefficiency• Idealtemperaturerangeof8095oF• Droughthardiness• Rhizomatousand/orstoloniferousgrowthhabitswhichallowthemtorecoverfromstressesassociatedwithdrought,pests,traffic,etc.

TTuurrffggrraassss SSeelleeccoonn aanndd UUssee

ThereareseveralspeciesavailableforuseinthisareaofTexas.Properseleconisthefirststeptosuccessfulmanagement

ProperTurfgrassSelecon

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TurfgrassGrowthCalendars

MatchstrengthsofeachgrasstothedesiredareaofplannganduseWarmseasonSpecies Strengths WeaknessesBahiagrass Rapidgrowth,lowNuse,drought Shade,salts,mowingfrequency,

lackofdensityBermudagrass Heat,drought,traffic,disease ShadeBuffalograss Drought,lowinput Disease,moisture,traffic,

ferlizaonCenpedegrass Lowinput Traffic,salts,highpH,shadeSeashorePaspalum Salts,traffic,shade Cold,diseaseSt.Augusnegrass Shade Traffic,coldZoysiagrass Heat,drought,shade,moderate

traffic,cold,lowinput(Z.matrellaspp.)

Thatch,slowestablishment/recoveryrate

ProperTurfgrassSelecon

ProperTurfgrassSeleconforAusnMetroArea

SpeciesandVarietySeleconSpecies Status Variety

Bermudagrass Adapted Celebraon,Common,Discovery,NorthBridge,Princess,Tion10,TifDwarf,TifEagle,TifGrand,TifGreen,TifSport,Tifway419

Buffalograss Adapted Density,Prairie,PresgeSeashorePaspalumMarginal Seadwarf,Seaspray,SeaIsleSt.Augusnegrass Marginal Capva,Common,DelMar,Deltashade,Floratam,Palmeo,

Raleigh,SapphireZoysiagrass Adapted Carrizo,Cavalier,Crowne,Diamond,ElToro,Emerald,Empire,

Geo,Jamur,Meyer,Palisades,Royal,Y2,Zeon,Zorro• Foracompletelistofwarmseasonspeciesandvarieesavailableassod,visitwww.txsod.com• AlsoAggieturf.tamu.edu

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TurfgrassSelecon&Use WarmseasonaretypicallymuchbeersuitedforTexasenvironmentscomparedtocoolseasonspecies

• However,theyalsohaveahighsunlightrequirement

SunlightRequirement SpeciesHigh Bermudagrass

BahiagrassCenpedegrassZoysiagrass(Z.japonica)Zoysiagrass(Z.matrella)

Low St.Augusnegrass

TurfgrassSeleconandUse

TurfgrassSelecon&Use

Turfgrassesunderexcessiveshadewillulmatelyresultin:• Thinningoftheturfcanopy• Elongaon(lengthening)ofleaves,reducedleafwidth,absenceofphotosynthecssue

• Encroachmentofweeds• Eventualdeathiflightisnotsufficientforsurvival

TurfgrassSeleconandUseALLgrassesneedatleastsomelevelofsunlighttoperformwell.Reduconsinsunlightresultindecreasedphotosynthesisandlesscreaonofsugarsandcarbohydratesneededforgrowthandstorage.

Carbohydrate

Bermudagrass

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ZZooyyssiiaaggrraassss TThhrriivviinngg iinn FFiilltteerreedd SShhaaddee

ZZooyyssiiaa

SStt.. AAuugguussnneeggrraassss

Gardenality.com

WashingtonontheBrazos

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TurfgrassSelecon&Use WarmseasonspeciesaretypicallymuchbeersuitedforTexasenvironments

DroughtTolerance Species

High Bermudagrass,Buffalograss

Zoysiagrass(Z.japonica)

Bahiagrass

St.Augusnegrass

Zoysiagrass(Z.matrella)

Low Cenpedegrass


August2012UnirrigatedTifwaybermudagrass

August2012 November2012

UnirrigatedTifwayBermudagrassCollegeStaon,TX

SummerDormancy


Intendeduseisanimportantconsideraon

TrafficTolerance SpeciesHigh Zoysiagrass

BermudagrassBahiagrassSt.Augusnegrass

Low Cenpedegrass


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Excessivetraffic,compacon,poorsoilcondions


‘Nave’GrassSeedBlends • Mixturesofnavessuchasbuffalograss,curlymesquite,andbluegrama,etc.

• Reportedtorequirelessmowing/ferlizer/water

• Shadeandsalinitycanbeproblems

• Availableonlyasseed,expensive!!

• NotrecommendedeastoftheBrazosRiver,easternTX

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TurfgrassMowing

Mowing Height Species

High Bahiagrass

St. Augustinegrass

Centipedegrass

Zoysiagrass

Low Bermudagrass

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If you mow low, you are making a commitment to mow more frequently

Finer textured grasses can tolerate lower mowing

Mowing HeightCan increase rooting potential

Rotary Mower Types Reel Mower

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Mulching Mower

Finelychopsclippingsforbeerreturn

Reel Mower

0.125”

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1-1.5”

2.5 - 4”

Zoysia japonica

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1.5 - 3”

Zoysia matrella

2.5 – 3.5”

3 - 4”

Sharp Blades

Bermuda Common Hybrid

1.5 - 3” 2 - 4”

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2 - 4”

St. Augustinegrass

Gardenality.com

scalped

notscalped

Scalping

After last freeze, before greenup. Stimulates greenup

1/3 rule Maintains photosyntheic tissue

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Frequentmowingreducesriskofscalping

Aerification

turfcodirect.com

Why do we aerify?

Reason #1 - Compaction

Extension.umn.eduNo air!

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wikipedia

Excessivetraffic,compacon

Soils

Clay soils especially susceptible!

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Compaction

Prostrate Knotweed

Goosegrass

Compaction

Aerification

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Reason #2 - Thatch

Causes Scalping

Disease problems Insect problems

Caused byHigh nitrogen pH problems

Reason #2

Dr.JimMcAfee

Rhizome producers

Z. matrella, hybrid bermuda especially prone to thatch problems

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Growth Habit

Bunch Type

Tall fescue not as prone to thatch problems

Hollow Tine Preferred

Removes thatch

lawnscience.com

Solid Tine Relieves compaction

allows for gas exchange

VercalMower

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GrowthCalendarsforCoolandWarmseasonTurfgrassSpecies

When to aerify

NutrientManagement

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NutrientManagementGoals

• Eliminatenutrientdeficiencies•Correctnutrientimbalances•Provideacceptableturfgrassqualityandfuncon•Maximizeplantuptake•Minimizeenvironmentallosses

NutrientManagementGoals

Environmental Implications of Nutrient Mismanagement

• Eutrophicaonofwaterbodies• Nitrogenandphosphorusarethelimingnutrientsforeutrophicaoninmostsystems

‒ EPAdrinkingwaterstandardis10ppmfornitratenitrogen

‒ Environmentalstandard/concernconcentraonsvarybycontaminant

EnvironmentalImplicaonsofNutrientMismanagement

• Sewagebasednutrients‒Dischargefromwatertreatmentfacilies,sepcsystems

• Landbasednitrogen(N)andphosphorus(P)‒Agriculture,urbanrunoff

• Industrialemissions‒Noxidesdepositedinrainfall

• Ferlizers

SourcesofNutrientsinSurfaceWaters• Animalwastes

‒Mediumsizeddogcanexcrete~10lb.Nand2lb.Pperyear

‒Petwasteesmatedtocontribute15lbsN/acre/yeartoaBalmorewatershed

• Plantdebris‒ Leafliercanbeasignificantsourceofphosphorus

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Environmental Implications of Nutrient Mismanagement

Yearlynitrogenrequirementsbyspecies

TurfgrassNutrientManagement

Species YearlyNrequirement(lbsN/yr)

Bermudagrass 3to6

Zoysiagrass 2to4

St.Augusnegrass 2to4

Cenpedegrass 1to2

SeashorePaspalum 2to4

Buffalograss 1to2

TTuurrffggrraassss CCuullttuurraall PPrraacccceessDetermininghowmuchnitrogen(N)toapplydependson:

• Species• Desiredoutcome:Highquality,prisneturfvs.ulityturf

• Maintenance:Howmuchmaintenancecanyouprovide?

• Use:Highlytraffickedathlecturfvs.ornamentallawn

NutrientManagementProgramsnitrogen(N)APPLICATIONRATES:

• 0.5to1lb.Nper1000sq..permonthduringthegrowingseasonisatypical,recommendedrange

• Dependingonageofturf,soilorganicmaerlevels,andclippingreturn,liletonoferlizermaybeneededatall


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CCaallccuullaanngg LLaawwnn FFeerrlliizzeerr NNeeeeddssNeedtoknow3things:

1)area,2)nutrientapplicaonrate,and3)ferlizeranalysis

Calculanglawnferlizerneeds

Example:Ihavea5,000sq..lawn(area),andwishtoapply0.75lbs.N/1000sq..(rate)usinga28512ferlizer(analysis).Howmanylbs.offerlizershouldbeapplied?

Area xRate xAnalysis

=5,000sq..x0.75lbs.N x 100lbs.28512fert1000sq.. 28lbs.N

=375,000 =13.4lbs.ferlizer28,000

CCaallccuullaanngg LLaawwnn FFeerrlliizzeerr NNeeeeddss

EssenalMineralElementsforTurfgrassNutrionTurfgrassManagement,5thEdion.A.J.Turgeon

Amount Element ChemicalSymbol AvailableForm


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Liebig’s Law of Minimum

Pota

ssiu

m

Phos

phor

us

Cal

cium

Su

lfur

Iron

Mag

nesi

um

Man

gane

se

Oth

ers

Soiltest!www.soiltesng.tamu.edu

pHControlsNutrientAvailability

Nitrogen

Phosphorus

Potassium

Sulfur

Calcium

Manganese

Magnesium

Iron

Boron

CopperandZinc

4.05.06.07.08.09.010.0

4.05.06.07.08.09.010.0

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Whenistheopmummetoferlize?

Ferlizewhentheplantisacvelygrowing

Formaximizingplantuptake,ferlizerNapplicaonsshouldcoincidewiththemostfavorablegrowthperiods.

30%ofNspringappliedShoo

tGrowthRate

70%ofNfallapplied

30%ofNwinterandspringapplied

60%ofNsummerapplied

10%ofNfallapplied

CoolSeasonGrassWarmSeasonGrass

TTuurrffggrraassss CCuullttuurraall PPrraacccceessToo Much• Smulatesexcessiveshootgrowth,

slowsrootgrowth&increasesneedformorefrequentmowing

• Lowersstresstolerancebydeplengcarbohydratereserves

• Increaseswaterloss• Nitrogennottakenupcanbelosttoleachingorrunoff

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Givefirstspringapplicaontowarmseasongrasses6weeksAFTERthemeoflastfrost!

PublicaonE437hp://www.agrilifebookstore.org/

Lateseasoncutoffdatesfornitrogenforwarmseasongrassesare6weekspriortofrost!

• Lastapplicaon:– Nolaterthan6weekspriortotheexpectedfirstfallfreezedate

• Excepons:– overseededwarmseasongrasses

PublicaonE437athp://www.agrilifebookstore.org/

When actively growing, a typical 1 lb. N/1000 sq. ft. application of quickly available N is almost completely taken up by turf within 48 to 72 hours

Days after N fertilization0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Leac

hate

Nitr

ate

(% o

f App

lied)

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

January

October

May

August

Wherleyetal.,2009

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TurfgrassNutrientManagement • ThenutrientsNPK(potassium)arefoundinplantssuesatapproximatelya312rao

• Oen,adequatePandKarealreadyavailableinthesoilanddonotneedtobeapplied

• Considerwhenselecngferlizer:• Userate(312)• Nitrogensource• Nutrientfateandmobility• Soiltestnutrientlevels

�Soiltesng.tamu.edu

soluble,quicklyandreadilyavailable,fastacngAdvantages

• Watersoluble• Liquidorgranularapps.possible• ProvideNO3

andNH4+directlyto

theturf• Rapidresponse(withindays)• Availabilitynotdependentuponenvironmentormicrobialacvity

• Lowcost

Disadvantages• Highfoliarburnpotenal• Shortresidual(34weeks)• Increasedleaching,runoff,andvolalitypotenal

• Cancause‘flushofgrowth’

QuickReleaseNitrogenCarriers

QuickReleaseNSourcesCommoninTurfgrassFerlizers

Source:TurfgrassFerlizaon:ABasicGuideforProfessionalTurfgrassManagers.PeterLandschoot,PennStateUniversity

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Advantages• DischargeNoverlongerperiodofme(months)

• Lowsaltindexandlowfoliarburnpotenal

• Lowerriskofleaching,volalizaon

• Lessfrequentapplicaon• Higherapplicaonratepossible• Moreuniformresponse

Disadvantages• Slowinialplantresponse• Highercost• Limitedtogranularapplicaons

SlowReleaseNitrogenCarriers

SlowReleaseNSourcesCommoninTurfgrassFerlizers

Source:TurfgrassFerlizaon:ABasicGuideforProfessionalTurfgrassManagers.PeterLandschoot,PennStateUniversity

NitrogenReleaseRates

Soluble>Organic>Slowrelease

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Youcanexertconsiderableinfluenceonnitrogenretenonandlossesfromlawns!

Leaching• Movementofnutrientsinsoilsoluonpasttherootzone,posinggroundwaterconcern

• Nitrate(NO3)isawatersoluble,negavelychargedanion

• LeachingofNH4+canoccurinlowcaonexchangecapacity(CEC)sands

• Soilisalsonegavelycharged(CEC)

Nrate,source,soiltexture,andamountofirrigaon/rainfallinfluenceleaching

HigherPotenal• Coarsesoils(sands)

• Newestablishment

• QuicklyavailableNitrogen

• Highapplicaonrates

• Irrigaon≥Evapotranspiraonrate

• ImproperlymedNitrogenapplicaons

LowerPotenal• Finesoils(silt/clay)

• Establishedturf

• SlowlyavailableNitrogen

• Lowapplicaonrates

• Irrigaon≤Evapotranspiraonrate

• ProperlymedNitrogenapplicaons

LeachingisInfluencedbyNumerousFactors

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• Runofflossesofnutrientsfromturfareusuallylow• Mostrunoffemanatesfromimpervioussurfaces,orsoilswithlowinfiltraonrates

• Potenalconcerns:• Newestablishment• Heavyrainfallorirrigaonfollowingferlizerapplicaontofinetextured/compactedsoilorfrozensoil

• Slopedareas• Periodicmovementofsurfacewatersacrosssite• Phosphoruscommonlytheconcernwithsedimentrunoff

NNuuttrriieenntt RRuunnooffff

• ManageirrigaonCYCLESOAK!‒Applyenoughirrigaontodissolve/moveferlizerintosoil‒Avoidexceedinginfiltraonrate

• Enhanceinfiltraon,especiallyonslopes(aerificaon)• Minimizenitrogenandphosphorusratesandspoonfeedingduringestablishment

• Avoidferlizingpriortoheavyrains• Avoidmisapplicaontoimpervioussurfaces• Vegetavebufferstrips• Maintainahealthy,densestandofturf

TipsforReducingNutrientRunoff

• 6,000lbs/Acre/yr

• Reducesannualnitrogenneedsbyupto50%

• Rapidlydecomposedbysoilmicrobes

• Donotcontributetothatch/disease

• Donotcontributetorunoffofphosphorus

RReettuurrnn ooff CClliippppiinnggss

Clippingsareasignificantsourceofnutrients

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• Porteretal.(1980)sampledturfsoilsinagefrom1to125yrs‒ SoilorganicNaccumulaonwasrapidinyrs010

‒ Aer~25yrs,soilorganicmaerremainedrelavelyconstant,establishing‘equilibrium’

‒ Conclusion:Netimmobilizaon,orstorageofnitrogendominatesinyoungsystems(025yrsold),butnetmineralizaondominatesinoldersystems(+25yrsold)

• Lee(2003)foundthat13lbs.N/1000sq..peryearmineralizedfromgolfcoursefairwayinNC

Asturfgrasssitesage,theamountofnitrogensuppliedtoturfthroughmineralizaonoforganicmaercanbecomesignificant

ApplicaonUniformity?

diynetwork.com

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RotarySpreaderDistribuon

Spreader


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Wheeltracktowheeltrack


TwoDirecons

Sweeporblowprillsfromhardscapesbackintoturf

AerApplicaon

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Lightirrigaonifpossible:0.25inches–cyclesoak

AerApplicaon

minimizesvolalizaon

TurfgrassWaterManagement

TurfgrassSelecon&Use WarmseasonspeciesaretypicallymuchbeersuitedforTexasenvironments

DroughtTolerance Species

High Bermudagrass,Buffalograss

Zoysiagrass(Z.japonica)

Bahiagrass

St.Augusnegrass

Zoysiagrass(Z.matrella)

Low Cenpedegrass

TurfgrassWaterManagement

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Zoysiagrass(Z.matrella)Bermudagrass(Cynodondactylon)

Dallisgrass (Paspalumdilatatum)

Muchofthedroughttoleranceassociatedwithwarmseasongrassesisaresultofdrought“avoidance”throughdeeproongpotenal

TurfgrassWaterManagement•Asinpreviousslide,muchofthedroughttoleranceassociatedwithwarmseasongrassesisaresultofdrought“avoidance”throughdeeproongpotenal

•AstudyconductedinSanAntoniotled“EvaluaonofSixtyDayDroughtSurvivalinSanAntonioofEstablishedTurfgrassSpeciesandCulvars”coversthisindetail.

• Thefullstudycanbefoundat:hp://itc.tamu.edu/documents/2008FinalReportSAWS&TPT_s.pdf

TurfgrassWaterManagementEvaluaonofSixtyDayDroughtSurvivalinSanAntonioofEstablishedTurfgrassSpeciesandCulvars

BriefOverviewofResearchandResults• Adrydownstructure(5,0002)wasconstructedinSanAntonio• Twosoildepthswereconstructedwithinthedrydownstructure

‒4inchesandunrestricted• 4speciesand25varieeswereplantedineachofthesoildepths

‒Bermudagrass,St.Augusnegrass,Zoysiagrass,andBuffalograss• Aerestablishmentbysod,theplotswereexposedtoa60daydroughtperiodanda60dayrecoveryperiod

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Results• NOgrasssurvived60daysofdroughton4”soilprofile

• ALLgrassessurvived60daysofdroughtonunlimitedsoilprofile

TexasA&M/SAWSProject:Turfrecoverydifferencesfollowing60daydrought

Howmuchirrigaondolawnsneed?Itdependsonyourexpectaons!

• Foropmalappearance?

• Tomaintainminimallyacceptableappearance?

• Forsurvival/persistence?

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LoadCell

TripodHoist

3pt.Harness

Lysimeter

HolewithPlascSleeve

•Weighinglysimetersallowustodeterminewateruserates

•Dailychangeinweight(g)duetoevapotranspiraon(ET)isconvertedtoinchesofH2O

•Actualwateruse(ETa)isdividedbyreferenceET(ETo)todevelopthecropcoefficient(Kc)

Kc=ETa/EToETa=0.12”ETo=0.2”

0.12”/0.2”=0.6

Thistellsusthatthegrassisusing60%ofreferenceET

Warmseasonturfwateruse

ReferenceET(ETo)

Consumpvewateruseofwarmseasonturf~60%xreferenceET

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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Decmm/day 1.85 2.45 3.55 4.25 5.00 4.17 4.26 3.95 3.51 3.32 2.33 1.61in/week 0.53 0.67 0.97 1.17 1.37 1.14 1.17 1.08 0.97 0.91 0.64 0.44

ExampleofEvapotranspiraonRatesinSouthernUS

DatafromtheUSGSEvapotranspiraonStaonsHomePagehp://fl.water.usgs.gov/et/etdata.html

WaterBudgeng

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Decmm/day 1.85 2.45 3.55 4.25 5.00 4.17 4.26 3.95 3.51 3.32 2.33 1.61in/week 0.53 0.67 0.97 1.17 1.37 1.14 1.17 1.08 0.97 0.91 0.64 0.44

ExampleofEvapotranspiraonRatesinSouthernUS

Note:Useirrigaonsystemtosupplementrainfall;besuretoaccountforrainfallwhendeterminingweeklyirrigaonneeds

WaterBudgeng

Cropcoefficients(Kc)forbermudagrasshavebeenreportedtorangebetween0.54to0.79(Bañuelosetal.,2011;Kc=ETa/ETo)

ETbasedirrigaononlyworksifyouknowtheprecipitaonrateforyoursystem

rulertunafishorcoffeecansstopwatch15minutes

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Buffalograss 4to7%Bermudagrass 11to23%Zoysiagrass(mediumtexture) 14to33%StAugusnegrass 26to31%Zoysiagrass(finetexture) 25to33%TallFescue 50to54%

*Studyconductedunder1day/wkirrigaon

Howmuchsupplementalirrigaon(%ofETo)isneededforminimallyacceptablequality(TexasA&MLGISproject)

DeficitIrrigaon:Intenonallyirrigangtobelowturf’smaximalwateruse

100%Replacement

80%Replacement

60%Replacement

40%Replacement

20%Replacement

DailyreplacementatvariouspercentagesofactualET(ETa)

Somemes,irrigaonneedstobeturnedoffenrely,butwarmseasongrasseswillgodormantandrecoveroncerain/irrigaonreturns

Rememberimportanceofproperspeciesselecon!

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August2012UnirrigatedTifwaybermudagrass

August2012 November2012

UnirrigatedTifwayBermudagrassCollegeStaon,TX

DroughtHardiness

• Deepandinfrequent• Splitupweeklywaterrequirementover23weeklyapplicaons

• Avoidmiddayandnightirrigaonevents• Earlymorningideal

IrrigaonTiming

IrrigaonTiming

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• Ulizesmartcontroller‒ ETbased‒ Soilmoisturesensorbased

• Rainsensor/shutoff(automacormanual)• Withholdirrigaonunllawnshowswilt

‒Aernoonwiltcanoccureveninwellwateredlawn• Setirrigaontorunearlymorning

KeystoSmartWatering

• Irrigatedeeplyandinfrequently• Cyclesoaktopromoteadeepsoilweng• Mowlawnattallestrecommendedheightofcut

KeystoSmartWatering

(Photocourtesy:A.J.Koski,ColoradoStateUniversity)

MowingHeight

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Bermudagrass Hybrid

1.5 - 3”

Common

2 - 4”

2 - 4”

St.Augusnegrass

Gardenality.com

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

Nomowing

Nomowing+G.R

.

Weeklymowing

Mowing+G.R

.

RootDryW

eight,mg

upper018"

lower1836"

35daySt.AugusnegrasssodestablishmentstudyFinalRootDevelopment

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Mowedweekly(shortmowing)

Nonmowed(tallmowing)

CycleSoak• Allowsmorewatertobecapturedbythesoil

• Soildependent

NotSmartWatering

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MatchingProductstoPestsWeeds

• Weeds are generally placed into one of three categories based on their growth characteristics. • Grassy weeds

• Monocots (one cotyledon) • Leaves arranged in two vertical rows • Stems are hollow, not solid

• Broadleaves • Dicots (two cotyledons)

• Sedges • Leaves arranged in three vertical rows • Stems are solid, not hollow • Triangular stems

Grasses

1. Monocots(onecotyledonleaf)2.Hollowstems,notsolid

3.Leavesarrangedin2vercalrows

Sedges

1. Triangular,solidstems2. Leavesarrangedinthree

vercalrows

Broadleaves

1. Twoseedlingleaves2. Showyflowers

Solid stem

Sedges

Leaves arranged in threes

Unlike grasses, these plants have pithy, triangular stems and their leaves arranged in threes.

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• They are also categorized into one of three life cycles. • Summer annuals

• Summer annuals germinate in the spring when soil temperatures reach about 55oF, flower in the summer and die in the fall at the first frost.

• Winter annuals • Winter annuals germinate in the fall, grow until spring and die during late spring or early

summer. • Perennials

• Perennial weeds are capable of living more than two years.


• AnnualGrassyWeeds• Crabgrass,Goosegrass,Sandbur,Annualbluegrass,etc.


• PerennialGrassyweeds• Bahiagrass,Dallisgrass,Bermudagrass,Roughstalkbluegrass,etc.

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• Summerannualbroadleafweeds• Slenderaster,spoedandprostratespurge,purslane,etc.


• Winterannualbroadleafweeds• Chickweed,Henbit,Lawnburweed,etc.


• PerennialandAnnualSedges,Kyllingas

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• So,whatareourcontroloponsgiventhevariousclassificaons,lifecycles,species,etc.?

• Annualweeds• Preemergenceandpostemergenceopons

• Perennialweeds• Primarilypostemergenceopons

BermudagrassLawnManagementCalendar

• MonthlyGuidelinesforManagingLawns‒ Ferlizaon‒ Irrigaon‒ Mowing‒ WeedControl‒ andmore…

• LawnManagementCalendarsforotherspeciesarecurrentlybeingproduced‒ St.Augusnegrass‒ Zoysiagrass‒ etc.

TurfgrassResources

AAggggiieeTTuurrff..ttaammuu..eedduu

WeedsofTexasTurfgrass

• Over100commonTexasTurfgrassWeeds

• WeedIdenficaonTools

• Hundredsofhighresoluondigitalimagesforhelpwithweedidenficaon

TurfgrassResources

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Weed,Insect,andDiseaseControlinTurfgrass• 20172018edionavailable

• Over120pagesofherbicide,inseccide,andfungicidecontroloponslabeledforTexasTurfgrasses

• ViewableforFREEinthePublicaonsseconofAggieTurf

• HardcopiesavailableforpurchasethroughtheAgriLifeBookstore

TurfgrassResources

TurfgrassResources

InsectsandMitesofTexasTurfgrass

• InsectIdenficaonTools

• Highresoluondigitalimagesforhelpwithinsectidenficaon

• DirectlinkstoAggieTurfInsectpublicaonsoncommonTexasTurfgrassinsects

TurfgrassResources

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PrintableTurfgrassInsectPublicaonswithID,LifeCycles,andTreatmentOpons

TurfgrassResources

texas a&m agrilife extension service - turfgrassmanagement...reaganhejl,m.s....

Documents