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Water Management and Irrigation

Water Management and Irrigation Turf 75-85% of plant is composed of water. Turf in northeast 1-2 water/week. Some functions of water in the plant: transport solvents and nutrients Involved with P.S. Involved in gas exchange Cooling the plant

Soil is the reservoir for holding water for plant use. Soil/plant factors that effect water availability for the plant: a) soil texture - course soils hold less available water b) Root depth- plant with a 6"root system has half the water available for uptake as a plant with a 12" root system d) Infiltration Rates d) Percolation rates

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Turfgrass Water Use Rates: Transpiration = water loss from plant Function - gas exchange - cools plant - moves plant nutrients, amino acids etc. Evaporation = water loss from soil. Effected by: turf density water content soil type

Evapotranspiration = (evaporation + transpiration)

California Department of Water resources

Water use rates effected by a) Turf species b) Light-solar radiation and night c) Fertility N/K d) Mowing heights e) Soil types f) Temperature g) atmospheric conditions: relative humidity atmospheric moisture-fog rain-precipitation condensation in form of dew vapor content of turf canopy wind Water use rates can be reduced with chemicals:

PGRs and Anti-transpirants

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WATER REPLENISHMENT INTO THE ROOT ZONE I ) Precipitation - two major factors: 1) duration 2) intensity

- Infiltration Rates - Percolation rates

2) Irrigation: 1) Need good clean source ( quality) 2) Need a good amount (quantity) 3) Need a dependable and properly designed irrigation system

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IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Evolution of Turfgrass Irrigation Systems

snap valves- hard to find at night, labor intensive, over or under watering

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Computerized systems

Controlled home, office, or field

Turfgrass BMPs for Water Quality and Quantity

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What are Turfgrass BMPs for water management? Best Management Practices for Water Goals Promote water conservation Preserve and improve water quality

Water Quantity or Distribution Management a) Irrigation system features and technologies that aid in water conservation b) Management Practices that aid in water conservation Water Quality Best Management Practices for Turfgrass water Pesticide Fertilizer

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Water Quality Best Turfgrass Management Practices for water quality. Practice IPM

Controlling Turfgrass Pests second edition By:Fermanian, Shurtleff, Randell, Wilkinson, Nixon

Avoid applying fertilizers and pesticides on hard surfaces such as cart paths and road ways Avoid applying pesticides or fertilizers close to waterways (Establish Buffer Zones)

AVOID HIGH RATES OF SOLUBLE NITROGEN ON A FREQUENT BASIS OR BEFORE HEAVY RAINFALL EVENTS

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Water Quantity A) System conservation features conserve water at the source Water Conservation Features that can be retrofitted to both new and older systems: Install water meters at point of entry to system

Isolation valves to isolate and repair leaks

Be aware of sprinkler precipitation rates

Pr = 96.25 x GPM HS x RS* or 34650 x gpm Pr = arc x HS x RS

* Pr = precipitation rate HS = Head spacing RS = Row Spacing

Check nozzle wear and output

Photo USGA Green Section Record Sept./Oct 2000

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Use part circles to avoid watering non turf areas

Utilize correct nozzle sizes

Rain Out Switches

Low trajectory nozzles - reduce evaporation or water loss in wind

Low Volume Nozzles V.S. High Volume Nozzles Less Loss Due To: Evaporation Wind or Drift Runoff

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Computerized systems

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Computerized systems allow for: Greater efficiency Run times Flow management optimizes programs Cycle and soak options Irrigation adjustments (water budgeting) from one location

From Field

From Office or Home

Remote off site Shut down capabilities Water adjustment capabilities Automatic Shut Down Rain events Electrical Storms

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Turfgrass water use in the Northeast Monitor weather Evopotranspiration Rates Temperature Humidity Wind

Tools Available: Radio Internet Television

Rain gages

Evaporation pans

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weather satellites

Irrigation decisions and Management Practices that aid in water conservation

Hard to decide when to irrigate Apply the optimum amount without over or under watering!

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Overwatering can lead to:

a) disease b) shortened root systems c) compaction d) algae e) thin or week turf f) in general poor plant health

IRRIGATION TO REPLENISH SOIL WATER CT 1-1.5 water per week If possible water to replenish in early morning Possible sequence P.M. A.M. rough>fairway>tee>green Compacted soils often require lighter and more frequent applications

Determining irrigation needs:

Determining irrigation needs (scheduling):

>Turfgrass species >Turfgrass use > Micro-climates/environments > Slope > Compaction > Forecasts > Cultural practices

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Determining irrigation needs:

>Light intensity >Precipitation rates of sprinklers >Nozzle size >Soil moisture levels using > tensiometers >soil probes >Soil type

Determining irrigation needs:

Utilize the correct sprinkler head and precipitation rates for soil type and slope

Determining irrigation needs:

1) Probe soils daily-check moisture content (moisture tensionmeters available) 2) Check indicator areas 3) Use of wetting agents localized dry spots

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Determining irrigation needs:

4) Water as close to daylight as possible -this reduces time of leaf wetness -reduces over watering if sprinkler sticks 5) Keep an eye on weather -humid weather cut back -syringe if needed. 6) Hold off on irrigating as long as possible-however, soil hard to re-wet once it dries out

WATER MANAGEMENT:WILT / HEAT / DROUGHT *

Wilt Signs Loss of turgidity Turns blue in color Foot printing

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Heat stress Two types: 1. Indirect In general when air and soil temperatures exceed 86F for extended periods result reduction in root and shoot growth increase in respiration and reduction carbohydrate production

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Damage from golf carts driving on water stress (wilted) turf

Photos USGA Green Section Record

2. Direct Occurs with rapid increase in temperature i.e. 104 F for short time Most common type of direct is scald Scald (Direct Heat Stress) Hot sunny days Rapid heat build up >104 F Standing water or in some cases in extremely saturated thatch Rapid loss of oxygen Death within hours

Turf may be killed by combination of: excessively wet soils high day and nighttime temperatures mechanical injury from mowers when mowing under wet conditions

Scald on bentgrass tee photo: Peter H. Dernoeden PH.D USGA Green Section Article March April 2006 Understanding Wet Wilt by Peter H. Dernoeden PH.D

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Wet Wilt Bridges Direct and Indirect Transpiration loss greater than uptake but water is in soil. Occurs when limited root system. Conditions favoring wet wilt: Water on surface or in thatch absorbs heat from sun Soil temperatures in putting greens on hot sunny days may be hotter than air temp. Water logged soils High temp and humidity with extended precipitation

Annual bluegrass putting green damaged by spiking in the heat of the day during a wet wilt event Photo: Peter H. Dernoeden PH.D USGA Green Section, March April 2006 , Understanding Wet Wilt

Syringe for wilt: Dry wilt Transpiration greater than water uptake by roots Hot, dry, windy, bright days Wet Wilt Transpiration loss greater than uptake Saturated or waterlogged conditions Limited root system.

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Syringing to alleviate wilt Syringing - light application of water to cool off plant and slow transpiration rates. No wetting or soil water replenishment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw9ufwNLr7Q

TGIF- The necessity of hand watering greens

Management Practices to reduce water input under dry conditions and water conservation

Designate naturalized areas for lower maintenance and water use Aerate to relieve compaction and increase water infiltration to the rootzone Irrigate in early morning to reduce water loss due to evaporation and wind Raise mowing heights > increased root growth > increase water availability Utilize a well balanced fertilizer plan for the turf species being grown

Management Practices continued:

Rackliffe and Troll (1982)

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Management Practices continued:

Utilize wetting agents to improve water infiltration

Hose

Through Irrigation systems Sprayer or granular

Management Practices continued:

Wetting Agents
Surfactants = chemicals that cause a physical change at the surface of liquids. Thus SURFice ACTive AgeNTS Surfactants include- wetting agents, spreaders, stickers, emulsifiers, detergents, dispersants etc.

Characteristics and Terminology

In Turf Most wetting agents - Non Ionic- (No Chargethus they will not react with other ions in the soil) All contain a water-soluble hyrophilic group attached to a oil-soluble (lipophilic group) Wetting agent molecule Water soluble group (polar) hydrophilic OIL-Soluble Hydocarbon group (non polar) hydrophobic

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Polarity- i.e. water is dipolar (both negative and positive ends) OH+ H+

Water will not bond with non polar molecules- in fact water would be repelled by non polar substances Most organic matter is non-polar Non Polar portion of the wetting Agent will bond with non polar portion organic matter Polar portion of wetting agent will bond with water

Wetting Agent polar end attracts water (hydrophilic)

H H H O H H H O H O O O H O O H

H
Water-repellent organic coating with non polar ends that repel water

H H H

Sand particle

Survey
600 Golf Course Superintendents 87% use wetting agents as part of regular maintenance program 11% use them in certain situations Four primary purposes: 42% relieve localized dry spot 32% to aid in water management 11% improve soil drainage particularly on non-water repellent soils 9% improve pesticide and fertilizer performance
Source Golf Course Mgt. June 2004, Keith Karnok Ph.D. University of GA

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Other uses: Relieve surface tension of water

High contact angle
Water drop without wetting agent Water drop with wetting agent applied

Low contact angle

Remove morning dew Suppress poa annua seed head (early 90s) Reduce run-off Summer stress reduction Water usage reduced

Comments Numerous Wetting Agents All vary significantly Different label rates

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