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| Publication Type:
| Trade |
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| Author(s): | Mitra, Sowmya |
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| Author Affiliation: | Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director, Department of Horticulture/Plant and Soil Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona |
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| Title: | Water conservation on fairways by systematic injection of wetting agents |
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| Section: | The green section
Other records with the "The green section" Section
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| Source: | California Fairways. Vol. 14, No. 4, July/August 2005, p. 11-12, 14-16. |
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| Publishing Information: | Arlington Heights,IL: Adams Business Media, Inc. |
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| # of Pages: | 5 |
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| Abstract/Contents: | "The quantity and quality of irrigation water are limiting factors in maintaining high-quality turf grasses for landscapes, golf courses, and sports fields all over the world. Turf managers are looking at innovative methods to conserve water. The incorporation of a surfactant (wetting agent) in the irrigation protocol is being encouraged in order to conserve irrigation water. Wetting agents are organic polymers, which can be injected into the irrigation lines in order to reduce water usage on grassed sporting surfaces. Wetting agents help retain water in the soil profile for a longer period of time, and hence can increase the time in between irrigation cycles. The objective of this research project was to evaluate three different wetting agents and their interaction with two different water sources. The experiments were carried out in plots at the C-TILT (Center for Turf Irrigation and Landscape Technology), California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Twenty-four plots 10 ft by 10 ft (3m by 3m) were laid out in a split-plot design, with three replicates. Each individual plot was irrigated separately, and water meters were installed on-line. During the experiment, twelve plots were irrigated with potable drinking water and twelve with recycled water. Irrigation-water quality (potable or recycled) was the primary factor and three different surfactants formed the secondary factor. Bermudagrass (GN-1) was sodden and maintained at 3/4 inch mowing height. The three different surfactants [Irrigaid at 24 fl. oz/acre every two weeks, Dispatch, and ACA 1897 at 12 fl. oz/acre every week] were injected into the irrigation lines. Volumetric moisture content (VMC) was measured with a "Time Domain Relectance - TDR" probe at randomly selected spots and an automated "Time Domain Transmission - TDT" device measuring every hour after injection at 6 inches (15 cm) below the soil surface. The experiments were initiated during the summer of 2003 and repeated in 2004. In the month of May the plots were irrigated at 100% of the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) for that month. In June, the amount of water was reduced to 70%ETo followed by a furter reduction to 30%ETo in July. Finally in August, the plots were irrigated at 10%ETo to induce moisture stress. Throughout the study Dispatch treated plots irrigated with both water sources had a significantly higher amount of volumetric soil moisture content at 6 inches (15 cm) from the soil surface compared to the other treatments. The Irrigaid and ACA 1897 treated plots had significantly higher amounts of soil moisture compared to the untreated plots but there was no statistical difference between the two treatments. Hence, by properly managing the turf and soil system we can conserve water. Developing a proper program of systematic injection of wetting agents into the irrigation would help increase the interval between irrigation cycles on grassed sports surfaces. Hence, by properly managing the turf and soil system we can conserve water." |
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| Language: | English |
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| References: | 10 |
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| See Also: | Other items relating to: Wetting Agents |
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| Note: | Figures
Tables |
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| ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Mitra, S. 2005. Water conservation on fairways by systematic injection of wetting agents. Calif. Fairways. 14(4):p. 11-12, 14-16. |
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