Abstract
ABSTRACT Soil drainage is an important technique in the construction of a sports lawn and information about the sensitivity of the crop to excess water influences the design of the project. Assuming that excess water affects the development of the grass and that the indices SEW30 (Sum of Excess Water above 0.30 m depth) and SDI (Stress-Day Index) are sensitive to the variables of development of the crop, the objective was to identify the sensitivity of Bermuda grass to the excess of water. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and four repetitions. The treatments consisted of groundwater elevations: 0 cm d (at the level of the drains - control); 180 cm d (at 0.20 m from the soil surface); 270 cm d (at 0.15 m from the soil surface); 360 cm d (at 0.10 m from the soil surface); and 450 cm d (at 0.05 m from the soil surface), carried out fortnightly, lasting three days. The variables used to test the treatment were root length, photosynthesis rate, dry mass of roots, stolons, rhizomes, culms and leaves and dry mass of grass clippings. Stress caused by excess water near the soil surface reduced root length, dry mass of culms and leaves, and photosynthesis rate; Bermuda grass was more sensitive to excess water in its initial vegetative stage, which occurs until 42 days after planting; and the photosynthesis rate in the treatment with highest stress level decreased by approximately by 2/3 when compared to the condition of no water table.
Highlights
Lawns are widely used in public, residential and sports areas around the world
Stress caused by excess water near the soil surface reduced root length, dry mass of culms and leaves, and photosynthesis rate; Bermuda grass was more sensitive to excess water in its initial vegetative stage, which occurs until 42 days after planting; and the photosynthesis rate in the treatment with highest stress level decreased by approximately by 2/3 when compared to the condition of no water table
Root length varied from 9.25 cm, under the highest stress by excess water (450 cm d), to 16.00 cm, in the control treatment, where the water table was kept at the level of the drains (1.10 m) (Figure 2)
Summary
Lawns are widely used in public, residential and sports areas around the world. Those used in major stadiums and clubs of football, golf and tennis, mainly due to the high professionalism involved in these sports, are in the technical revolution phase and need to ensure good tolerance to wear. The growing demand and more specific requirements of the consumer market regarding the final quality of lawns are the main factors that drive the producing areas and the development and import of technology (Godoy et al, 2012; Kuhn, 2015). Assuming that excess water hampers the development of the grass and that SEW30 and SDI indices are sensitive to crop production traits, the objective was to identify the sensitivity of ‘Celebration’ Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) to excess water based on the production traits referenced in the SEW30 and SDI indices
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