Performance of turfgrass under supplemental irrigation and rain‐fed conditions in the Central Great Plains of USA

Abstract

AbstractIdentifying drought tolerant turfgrass for semiarid Central Great Plains (CGP) of Wyoming is imperative because of limited water availability for irrigation. This study evaluated the performance and quality of different turfgrass species/cultivars under irrigated and rain‐fed conditions in southeastern Wyoming. The species/cultivars evaluated in the study included Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L. ‘Bandera’, ‘Common 85/80’ and ‘Midnight’), tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus [Schreb.] Dumort., formerly Festuca arundinacea Schreb.; ‘Blackwatch’, ‘Tar Heel II’ and ‘Watchdog’), buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides [Nutt.] J.T. Columbus; ‘Bison’, ‘Bowie’ and ‘Cody’), and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis [Willd. ex Kunth] Lag. ex Griffiths; ‘Alma’, ‘Bad River’ and ‘Hachita’). The study was planted in a randomized complete block with four replicates in a factorial design. Coverage of turfgrasses used in the study was similar in both irrigated and rain‐fed conditions. In general, better performance and turf quality in terms of vigor and color were obtained in irrigated conditions compared to rain‐fed. Plant vigor and color rankings were in the order of tall fescue > Kentucky bluegrass > buffalograss > blue grama under irrigated conditions. However, plant vigor and color were superior for the warm‐season turfgrass species (buffalograss and blue grama) under rain‐fed conditions. Overall performance of the turfgrass species tested in the study was tall fescue ≥ Kentucky bluegrass > blue grama ≥ buffalograss. Tall fescue cultivars ‘Tar Heel II’ and ‘Watchdog’, blue grama cultivar ‘Bad River’, and buffalograss cultivar ‘Cody’ were among the most promising drought tolerant cultivars.