Effects of drip irrigation and cultivation methods on establishment of seeded tall fescue

Abstract

AbstractSubsurface drip irrigation (SDI) may save water but its effectiveness in establishing seeded turfgrass across different soil types and climates requires further investigation. This study was conducted in fine‐textured soils near Manhattan, KS. Our objectives were to investigate establishment of seeded tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] using: (a) SDI, aboveground drip irrigation (AGD), and overhead sprinkler irrigation (OH); and (b) core aeration vs. verticutting for seedbed preparation. Irrigation was applied daily at 150% reference evapotranspiration (ETo) as follows: OH, three times (3×) daily at 50% ETo per irrigation; AGD, 3× daily at 50% ETo per irrigation; SDI, one time (1×), two times (2×), and 3× daily at 150, 75, and 50% ETo per irrigation, respectively. Additional frequencies/amounts were included with SDI because it was unknown how soil hydraulic conductivity would affect uniformity of surface wetting and seed germination. Establishment was evaluated with green cover (GC), visual turfgrass quality (TQ), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Establishment was faster with SDI than AGD or OH, and similar between AGD and OH. By the end of the 1st month after seeding, GC and NDVI were up to 25 and 15% greater, respectively, in SDI than AGD and OH. In SDI, establishment was fastest when water was applied 2× vs. 3× or 1× d–1. Cultivation effects were negligible, indicating seedbed preparation with either method is appropriate as long as depths of cultivation and driplines are considered to avoid SDI damage. Results indicate seeded tall fescue turfgrass can be established with SDI in fine‐textured soils in a transition zone climate.