SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/369217
BMP 3 – ProPer irrigation Each unique microclimate, or zone, within the landscape should be irrigated sep- arately according to the needs of each zone. Allow plant factors to indicate a need for supplemental water. Apply only the amount of water the turfgrass needs to wet the root- zone. For many plants and crops there are growth periods when water is critical to physiological and reproductive processes. However, for most homeowners and turf- grass managers fruit set and seed-production are not important processes. Basically turf- grass needs water to maintain growth. The exception to this is during establishment where water requirements would be the greatest. Once established, turfgrass requires relatively little water for survival. In fact, research conducted in throughout the US supports the recommendations of estab- lished turfgrass requiring approximately 1-inch of water per week during the grow- ing season. BMP 4 – Manage extrinsic stresses To reduce water use, maintain turfgrass stand density, and promote survival during periods of drought stress, wear must be mini- mized. A thinned weaken turfgrass will require more water for basic maintenance of physi- ological processes and recovery than a turfgrass which has ample cover despite being drought stressed. Proper management of extrinsic stresses, like traffic and plant competition, aid in reducing water use by maintaining turfgrass stand density and promoting survival during periods of drought stress. Water conservation in all areas of water use, indoor and outdoor, is becoming more critical. But through proper agronomics and judicious irrigation, landscapes can be maintained during periods of drought. Fortunately, the Southeastern US will only experience periodic drought and environ- mental conditions will eventually change. When rainfall returns, established turf- grasses will typically resume growth and regain color. During these good periods it is imperative that proper management prac- tices be employed to precondition fields for the next drought. A positive and proactive approach to water conservation is essential for the sports field industry within each state. The best approach is one used for other environmental issues, BMPs. The following elements are key to fostering the BMPs approach at the regulatory level. • Define what is meant by BMPs for water conservation on sports fields for the understanding of the field manager and facility staff, as well as, for that of regulatory agencies, envi- ronmental groups, and the general public. • Actively strive to gain acceptance for this approach in ordinances, regulations and public policy. • Adopt and implement a BMPs approach on our sports fields, not just as a general con- cept but as a daily operating policy. • Use moisture probes, smart controllers, and other new technologies. ■ Clint Waltz is Associate Professor and Turfgrass Extension Specialist, University of Georgia; Kenny Pauley is Director of Athletic Turf Grounds, University of Georgia. www.stma.org September 2014 | SportsTurf 33