Low-Input Nativegrasses and Alternative Groundcovers for the Southwest.

Abstract

The relevance and importance of nativegrasses and groundcovers that have low input maintenance requirements in landscapes of the southwest United States is gaining interest. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of nine native and two non-native plant species as a low input plant materials when turfgrass is removed in non-play areas of golf courses. Plants were seeded or plugged on May 31, 2016 in a replicated experiment in Scottsdale, AZ and established under sprinkler irrigation receiving an equivalent of 9 mm/day. After mid-July, plants were grown receiving an equivalent of 6 mm/day. In September, irrigation was reduced to an equivalent of 4 mm/day. Beginning in November, irrigation was suspended for the winter and then resumed in mid-April 2017 at an equivalent of 4 mm/day. Data were collected for plant emergence, growth in height, and visual estimates of quality for color, percent ground cover, and aesthetic value. Teff eragrostis (Teff) emerged quickly covering 60% stand establishment within a week. Hilaria rigida (big galleta) established a 40% stand in 3 weeks. Most of the grasses and Lippia nodiflora (kurapia) covered the surface area of the 2 m by 2 m plots within 5 to 8 weeks. Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss), Sporobolus cryptandrus (sand dropseed) and Sporobolus contractus (spike dropseed) were relatively slow to establish a stand. Sand dropseed, spike dropseed, Eragrostis intermedia (plains lovegrass), and Teff grew to a height of more than 64 cm at 8 weeks. Kurapia and buffalograss grew no more than 5 and 12 cm in height, respectively. Before a mowing all plant species exhibited good visual quality and vigor. After a mowing, grasses performed at varied acceptable visual quality levels. Kurapia, plains lovegrass, Sporobolus airoides (alkali sacaton), Muhlenbergia asperifolia (alkali muhly), and Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama), in that order, performed well during the fall, winter and into spring.