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Bermudagrass and Seashore Paspalum Establishment from Seed Using Differing Irrigation Methods and Water Qualities
Author(s) -
Schiavon Marco,
Leinauer Bernd,
Serena Matteo,
Sallenave Rossana,
Maier Bernd
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj2011.0390
Subject(s) - cynodon dactylon , paspalum , irrigation , environmental science , agronomy , evapotranspiration , drip irrigation , seeding , saline water , biology , salinity , ecology
Two approaches, irrigation with impaired waters, and use of subsurface drip irrigation, have been identified as strategies to reduce the use of potable water for landscape irrigation. A study was conducted at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces in 2008 and 2009 to investigate the establishment of Princess 77 bermudagrass [ Cynodon dactylon (L.)] and Sea Spray seashore paspalum [ Paspalum vaginatum (Sw.)] seeded in March (dormant) or June (traditional). The grasses were irrigated at 98% reference evapotranspiration with saline [electrical conductivity (EC) = 2.3 dS m −1 ] or potable (EC = 0.6 dS m −1 ) water from either a sprinkler or a subsurface‐drip system. Establishment did not differ between the two grasses regardless of seeding date, irrigation type, or water quality. Generally, grasses that were seeded dormant reached 75% cover faster and exhibited greatest ground cover at the end of both growing seasons. When data were averaged over water qualities and seeding dates, sprinkler irrigation resulted in greater ground cover (90% in 2008 and 92% in 2009) than drip irrigation (58% in 2008 and 80% in 2009) at the end of both research periods. Highest EC levels at rootzone depths of 0 to 10 cm were observed in November 2009 on plots drip irrigated with saline water, averaging 4.4 dS m −1 compared to 2.3 dS m −1 on sprinkler irrigated plots. Our results indicate that when using subsurface‐drip irrigation, early seeding is required to successfully establish seashore paspalum and bermudagrass from seed in one growing season.