Urban Lawn Irrigation Using Non-Potable Water

Several options are available to reduce the amount of potable water used for landscape irrigation. First, potable water used for irrigation could be eliminated completely and replaced by effluent or low quality water that does not meet standards for human consumption. Municipalities generate significant amounts of sewage effluent water or often have poor quality groundwater sources available. The opportunity exists to utilize such waters as alternative irrigation sources if grasses are identified and selected that can tolerate both the climatic conditions for the area and salt accumulation in the soil. Second, adopting an efficient method of irrigation, such as subirrigation systems, could reduce water consumption, and third, a combination of all these measures could be used. Research at New Mexico State University has investigated the use of cold and salt tolerant turfgrasses in combination with saline water and subsurface irrigation systems for turfgrass applications. Data were collected for turfgrass establishment, root zone salinity build-up, and turfgrass quality. Results indicate that turf areas can be established and maintained at an adequate quality with saline irrigation if salt tolerant grasses are used

Base temperatures affect accuracy of growing degree day model to predict emergence of bermudagrasses

AbstractThe germination of bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] under different temperature regimes has been extensively investigated, but a discrepancy remains between laboratory studies and field results. Thermal requirements calculated in growing degree days (GDD) have been found to differ within the same species depending on the location of the study. The accumulation of GDD may vary under different thermal conditions from seeding to seedling emergence and could depend on TBASE used in the calculation. The most widely used TBASE for bermudagrass is 5 °C. However, laboratory studies have suggested that a base temperature of 15 °C would more accurately predict seedling emergence. In this field study, we investigated the effect of using TBASE 5 °C vs. TBASE 15 °C on the estimation of GDD required by bermudagrass to emerge. Ten cultivars were seeded in northeastern Italy on three dates between 10 March and the end of April in 2013 and 2014. Number of emerged seedlings was counted weekly and soil temperature at 1‐cm depth was recorded significant differences in seedling emergence between bermudagrass genotypes were found. Results demonstrated that the algorithm used to calculate GDD is strongly influenced by the TBASE used and to include a TBASE of 15 °C explains germination and emergence more accurately than a TBASE of 5 °C

Turfgrasses for New Mexico

Guide containing general information on the use of turfgrass in New Mexico, and varieties suitable for growth in New Mexico climates

Turfgrass irrigation

Circular containing information on the selection, care, and irrigation of turfgrass in New Mexico

Turfgrasses for New Mexico

Guide containing general information on the use of turfgrass in New Mexico, and varieties suitable for growth in New Mexico climates

Mowing your lawn

Guide containing general information on lawn mowing

Landscape water conservation: Principles of xeriscape

Guide containing information on the principles of xeriscaping as part of water conservation efforts

Turfgrass establishment

Guide containing general information and recommendations for establishing turfgrasses in New Mexico

Turfgrass irrigation, 2018

Circular containing information on the selection, care, and irrigation of turfgrass in New Mexico. Revised March 2018