Germination of Cool-Season Turfgrasses As Influenced By Irrigation Frequency.

Minimal research has been conducted towards investigating the effect of irrigation frequency on germination of cool-season turfgrasses, particularly for the establishment of drought-tolerant cultivars. The objective of the following greenhouse study was to evaluate the effect of irrigation frequency on the germination and establishment of cool-season turfgrass cultivars, varying in drought tolerance. Nine Festuca arundinacea (L.), seven Poa pratensis (L.), and seven Lolium perenne (L.) cultivars ranging in terms of drought tolerance within each respective species were utilized in this study. Cultivars were seeded in calcined clay and subjected to irrigation frequencies of: 0.51 cm daily, 1.02 cm every two days, or 1.52 cm every three days. Germination and seedling vigor data were collected using visual ratings; percentage turfgrass cover was evaluated using digital image analysis. Daily irrigation promoted quicker germination and better seedling vigor and turfgrass coverage than irrigation every two or three days. Within each species certain drought tolerant cultivars germinated sooner than cultivars with poor drought tolerance, and exhibited greater seedling vigor and turfgrass coverage. At four weeks after treatment initiation, under the irrigation every three days regime, drought tolerant Festuca arundinacea cultivars ‘Virtue II’, ‘Justice’, and ‘ATF 1258’ showed significantly higher seedling vigor than the drought sensitive cultivar ‘Crackle’. This result was also observed between the Poa pratensis drought tolerant cultivar ‘Water Works’ and drought sensitive cultivars ‘Geronimo’ and ‘Snap’; as well as between the Lolium perenne drought tolerant cultivar ‘Penn APR 2105’ and the drought sensitive cultivar ‘Charger II’. The results of this research provide a potential solution for turfgrass managers and homeowners facing the current, and future, challenges of restricted irrigation practices wherein they could implement these cultivars which require less water while simultaneously providing acceptable quality.