Improving quality of Bermuda Grass (Cynodondactylon var. Evergreen) by adding of bentonite to growing media and proper irrigation frequency

Abstract

Generally sand is used as root zone of turf grass in golf course. High permeability of sand caused irrigation inefficient. This research was conducted to find the effect of addition of bentonite and frequency of irrigation to improve qualities of Bermuda grass (Cynodondactylon var evergreen). Experiments using factorial completely randomized design with two treatment factors with 3 replications. The first factor was the addition of bentonite 25 mesh which consisted of three levels i.e. 100% sand, 87.5% sand + 12.5% bentonite, and 75% sand + 25% bentonite. The second factor was the frequency of irrigation which consisted of three levels i.e. every day, every two days, every three days. Results of research showed interaction of media mix and the irrigation frequency was significantly affected all variable of grass qualities. Mix of sand 87.5% + bentonite 12.5% with watering of once every two days produced the best visual quality, and functional quality at the height of grass, clipping dry weight, shoot dry weight, as well as on the efficiency of irrigation water use (EIWU). It is recommended to use mix of sand 87.5% + bentonite 12.5 % with every two days watering that generally produced the best qualities and spends water consumption.