Water Conservation Using Soil Moisture Sensor Technology.

Water shortages and drought have become a serious issue for turfgrass managers, making it imperative to implement efficient irrigation strategies for the conservation of water. We investigated the effect of different irrigation treatments using soil volumetric water sensors as well as a calendar-based schedule on a putting green established with ‘A1’ creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and a lawn-type turf established with two different cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) (‘Mallard’ and ‘Geronimo’) and two different cultivars of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) (‘Falcon V’ and ‘ATF 1258’). The irrigation treatments on the green consisted of frequencies of every day, twice a week, less than 15% volumetric water content, and less than 10% volumetric water content. The treatments on the lawn-type turf consisted of frequencies of every day, twice a week, less than 24% volumetric water content, and less than 12% volumetric water content. Weekly measurements were taken over the course of two growing seasons on visual turfgrass quality, occurrence of localized dry spot, and weekly water usage. Results show that turfgrass quality was the lowest and localized dry spot was the highest on plots receiving irrigation at the <10% and <12% volumetric water content treatments. Overall, the treatments controlled by the soil moisture sensors used less water than the calendar-based treatments.