Irrigation requirements for establishing seeded tall fescue and bermudagrass cultivars in the transition zone

Abstract

AbstractThere is limited information regarding specific irrigation volumes required for establishing turfgrasses from seed, potentially leading many to overwater during establishment. The objectives of the following studies were to evaluate the impacts of irrigation volume and genetic drought resistance on the establishment of seeded tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus Schreb.) and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) cultivars in the transition zone. Two separate studies were conducted at the Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville, AR. Tall fescue cultivars Penn RK4, a drought‐resistant cultivar, and Rebel Exeda were seeded and irrigated daily at 50, 75, 100, or 125% reference evapotranspiration (ETo) for 28 days in replicate trials. A second study evaluated seeded bermudagrass cultivars Princess 77, a drought‐resistant cultivar, and Sahara II, using the same irrigation regime for 28 days, in replicate trials. Daily irrigation replacing 50% ETo exhibited slower establishment compared to 100% ETo by an average of 11 and 2 days for tall fescue and bermudagrass, respectively. Irrigating at 75 and 100% ETo exhibited similar establishment for tall fescue and in 1 of 2 years for bermudagrass. In both studies, establishment rates did not differ when irrigating ≥100% ETo. Cultivars with known genetic drought resistance at maturity did not exhibit enhanced establishment rates under reduced irrigation regimes. These findings suggest daily irrigation replacing 100% ETo is favorable for establishing seeded cultivars of tall fescue and bermudagrass in the transition zone, and is a practical strategy for water‐conservation efforts.