Effect of Irrigation Frequency on Turf Quality, Shoot Density, and Root Length Density of Five Bentgrass Cultivars

Abstract

ation (Huang et al., 1998) decrease root growth and increase root mortality. In addition, a synergistic effect The culture of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) at between high soil temperature and low soil aeration furlow mowing heights on putting greens in the hot humid region of the USA presents numerous water management problems. Frequent ther contributes to bentgrass decline (Huang et al., 1998).irrigation of greens to prevent water stress has been credited with Very short mowing heights also reduce root growth of producing shallow rooted turf with reduced tolerance to environmen-

Reducing turfgrass water consumption using sensor nodes and an adaptive irrigation controller

“…θ P W P is the permanent wilting point which is the point at which roots can no longer extract water from the soil. Using a deficit irrigation strategy, our model provides slightly less water than required by the lawn as research has shown that the introduction of small crop stress actually can improve the quality of turfgrass [19], [20].…”

Effects of root zone composition and irrigation regime on performance of velvet bentgrass putting greens. II. Thatch, root development and playability

“…By contrast, Fu and Dernoeden (2009b) observed an increase in the total root length and total root surface even in the upper 6-cm of soil when irrigating at leaf wilt compared with LF irrigation. Jordan et al (2003) also showed a higher root density at 1Á7.5 cm depth on creeping bentgrass green after irrigating every 4 days than every 1 or 2 days, but only at the end of a 2-yr study.…”

“…Most likely, effects of irrigation on root development in deeper layers in 2007 and 2008 were masked by uncontrolled natural precipitation. Jordan et al (2003) also reported no differences in rooting on a creeping bentgrass green in response to irrigation at 1, 2, or 4 day intervals during the first year of a 2-yr study under natural rainfall. In our study, the high water-holding capacity of the GM rootzone probably also contributed to negligible effect of reduced irrigation frequency on turfgrass root development.…”

“…Deeper rooting as a result of infrequent irrigation was shown to enhance turfgrass survival during dry periods (Qian and Fry 1996, Jordan et al 2003, Fu and Dernoeden 2009b. Root distribution in different soil depths in response to soil moisture has been inconsistent (Huang et al 1997, Jordan et al 2003, Fu and Dernoeden 2009b.…”

“…Although several studies showed an increase in root length, root number, or root density at lower depths in response to limited soil moisture in the upper layer (Huang et al 1997, Jordan et al 2003, Fu and Dernoeden 2009b, effects on root distribution in the upper layer have been inconsistent. Huang et al (1997) reported a decrease in root length of most cultivars of four warm-season turfgrasses in the upper 20 cm soil in response to drying.…”