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

Minimal research has been conducted towards investigating the effect of irrigation frequency on germination and establishment 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. Five Festuca arundinacea (Schreb.), five Poa pratensis (L.), and five Lolium perenne (L.) cultivars ranging in terms of drought tolerance within each respective species were utilized in this study. Cultivars were seeded in sand meeting USGA specs and subjected to irrigation frequencies of: 0.5 cm daily, 1.0 cm every two days, or 1.5 cm every three days. Cultivars were evaluated for days to germination and percent green turf coverage.