ET Rates of Warm-Season Turfgrasses Under Shaded and Non-Shaded Environments.

Water resources are predicted to endure shortages in the future due to sustained drought and urban population growth. Conserving water used for irrigation in the landscape can contribute towards protecting potable water supplies. Irrigation best management practices (BMPs) require accurate estimates of plant water use. Such information has been gathered for a number of turfgrass species and climates in full sun exposures. However, limited information is available on water use rates of turfgrasses grown in shaded environments. Therefore, a field study was conducted to estimate lysimetric water use under shaded conditions in Stillwater, OK. Shade was provided by 40% neutral shade fabric. Turfgrasses assessed included five cultivars of bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.): ‘Latitude 36’, ‘NorthBridge’, ‘TifTuf’, ‘Celebration’, and ‘U-3’. Daily water use was determined gravimetrically on rain-free days under well-watered conditions. Results for one year will be presented.