Establishment and Rooting Response of Bermudagrass Propagated with Saline Water and Subsurface Irrigation

Irrigating with non-potable, saline water using a subsurface drip system has been suggested as a strategy to conserve water used for turfgrass. However, it is unknown if turfgrasses can be established from sod when saline water is applied from the subsurface. A two-year study was conducted at New Mexico State University to investigate the establishment of 'Princess 77' bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] from sod, irrigated from either a sprinkler or a subsurface drip system, with potable (electrical conductivity [EC] = 0.6 dS m(-1)) or saline (EC = 2.2 dS m(-1)) water and propagated either early (mid-March) or late (mid-June). Establishment rate was calculated on the basis of percentage of green cover, which was determined by means of digital image analysis. At the end of each growing season, root samples were collected and analyzed for root weight density, root length density, and root diameter at three soil depths. When coverage data were averaged over water qualities, plots propagated in 2009 and irrigated from a sprinkler system established fastest, followed by sprinkler-irrigated plots propagated in 2008. Drip-irrigated plots were the slowest to reach full coverage. Root length density was higher in sprinkler-irrigated plots than subsurface drip irrigation plots at all depths. In conclusion, early propagation of Princess 77 bermudagrass resulted in complete coverage with a denser root system at the end of the growing season, regardless of the water quality or irrigation system used. If propagated early, subsurface drip-irrigated bermudagrass did not require supplemental irrigation from a temporary sprinkler system to successfully establish.