Evapotranspiration and quality characteristics of some bermudagrass turf cultivars under deficit irrigation

Abstract

AbstractThis study was carried out to determine the effects of deficit irrigation on evapotranspiration and quality of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) turfgrass cultivars under Mediterranean conditions. Eight bermudagrass turf cultivars ‘Blackjack’, ‘Mohawk’, ‘Princess’, ‘Riviera’, ‘Sahara’, ‘Sultan’, ‘Swi–1044’ and ‘Swi–1045’ were used. Irrigation experiments were conducted from June to October 2008. Experimental plots were irrigated at 7 days intervals, at three levels of irrigation based on the potential evaporation as measured by a Class A pan (Epan) as follows I1 = 0.50 Epan, I2 = 0.75 Epan and I3 = 1.00 Epan. Volumetric soil water content was measured using soil moisture meter before and after irrigation. It was found that the irrigation levels affect sward color, visual quality and leaf firing. Among the cultivars, ‘Swi–1045’ and ‘Princess’ showed the best color and quality while ‘Mohawk’ and ‘Sultan’ gave the poorest color and quality in all irrigation levels. No statistically significant differences between I1 and I2 irrigation treatments were obtained in terms of color, quality and leaf firing for bermudagrass cultivars. It is concluded that when the amount of water is limited in arid and semiarid regions such as the Mediterranean, the bermudagrass can be irrigated at a level of 50% of pan evaporation to get an acceptable visual quality with improved water conservation.