Enhancing The Quality of Turfgrasses with Saline Groundwater

Abstract

Australia is listed under group II which represents countries that face economic water scarcity in 2025. Groundwater resources are the main source of water supplies for 30% of the world’s population. We have studied the use of saline groundwater to grow four turfgrass species (Paspalum vaginatum, Sporobolus virginicus, Distichlis spicata – three halophytes; and Pennisetum clandestinum – a non-halophyte) over two years under saline irrigation (13 dS m−1) groundwater or with freshwater, both at approximately 60% replacement of net evaporation. Soil salinity was assessed with the EM38, and by soil sampling and subsequent analyses for EC, a strong correlation was found between the two methods (r 2 = 80%). Irrigation with saline water reduced turfgrass colour (i.e. ‘greenness’) in Pennisetum clandestinum whereas it was not affected in Distichlis spicata, Paspalum vaginatum and Sporobolus virginicus. Growth, represented by turf height increased by 3, 10 and 3 cm under saline irrigation for Paspalum vaginatum, Sporobolus virginicus and Distichlis spicata, respectively, whereas decreased by 1 cm for Pennisetum clandestinum. Na+ concentration in leaf tissues increased threefold more in Pennisetum clandestinum compared with the halophytic grasses. Elucidation of quantitative relationships between growth, root-zone salinity and water content will improve basic knowledge on the functioning of halophytes managed for turfgrass and contribute to the sustainable management of these species under saline irrigation conditions. This chapter illustrates the potential use of the halophytic grasses as high-quality turfgrasses.