Evapotranspiration, Consumptive Water Use, And Responses To Self-Imposed Drought Of Three Warm Season Grasses Grown In A Semi-Arid Region

Abstract

Evapotranspiration rates (ET) and consumptive water use (CWU) were measured for three desert turfgrasses using weighing lysimeters with a calcined clay growth medium. Water use rates were compared over a two-year study for 'Sea Isle I' seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) and A138 desert saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), along with 'Tifway' bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x Cynodon transvaalensis). Saltgrass showed elevated leaf canopy temperatures for extended periods before exhibiting visible wilt symptoms while 'Tifway' bermudagrass and seashore paspalum wilted readily, even at relatively high soil water contents. Saltgrass transpired for 11.9 d on average before drought stress was observed. Seashore paspalum maintained leaf turgor, on average 5.6 d without irrigation, whereas 'Tifway' bermudagrass averaged 4.0 d before requiring irrigation. The two-year average Kc values for three grasses before self-imposed drought was expressed by visible leaf wilting were 0.85, 0.79, and 0.74, for A138 saltgrass, 'Sea Isle I' seashore paspalum, and 'Tifway' bermudagrass, respectively.