Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/07
Outputs
A 4000 m2 (43,000 ft2) research area was built at the Fabian Garcia Research Center at New Mexico State University to study the impact of irrigation type (sprinkler vs. subsurface drip irrigation vs. subirrigation) and root zone (USGA [United States Golf Association] type with sand/peat root zone vs. California with straight sand root zone) on irrigation efficiency and turfgrass performance of Bengal creeping bentgrass. Each of the 17 m by 17 m research plot includes a 5% south facing slope. The plots were established in 2003. Data collected in 2007 included turf quality, root zone repellency, irrigation water consumption, and irrigation water use efficiency. Overall statistical analysis of the data revealed significant differences in turfgrass quality and root zone repellency. Creeping bentgrass on USGA plots had highest quality during the summer compared to all other treatments. As in previous years, USGA greens irrigated with subsurface drip had the highest
occurrence of rootzone hydrophobicity in the slope location. Significantly lower drainage losses from ECS plots when compared to USGA drip and sprinkler irrigated plots indicate a higher irrigation water use efficiency when subsurface irrigation technology is applied.
Impacts
Subsurface drip technology in combination with saline water has been used to irrigate two multi-purpose fields (used for overflow parking during big events at the Aggie Memorial Stadium and for intramural soccer) on NMSU's campus. Master Gardeners have reported that homeowners across the state have expressed interest in applying this water conservation technology in their home lawn. Three athletic fields at the Rio Rancho high school are currently under construction and will receive subsurface irrigation technology.
Publications
- Leinauer, B., and J. Makk. 2007. Longer term assessment of the effects of greens construction and irrigation systems on greens performance, turf quality, and water conservation. Turfgrass Environ. Res. Summ. p. 4.
- Leinauer, B., Karcher, D., Barrick, T., Ikemura, Y., Hubble, H., and Makk, J. 2007. Water repellency varies with depth and season in sandy rootzones treated with ten wetting agents. Online. Applied Turfgrass Science doi:10.1094/ATS-2007-0221-01-RS.
- Leinauer, B., and J. Makk. 2007. Establishment of golf greens under different construction types, irrigation systems, and rootzones. [Online]USGA Turfgrass Environ. Res. Online. 6(7):p. [1-7].
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
A 4000 m2 (43,000 ft2) research area was built at the Fabian Garcia Research Center at New Mexico State University to study the impact of irrigation type (sprinkler vs. subsurface drip irrigation vs. subirrigation) and root zone (USGA [United States Golf Association] type with sand/peat root zone vs. California with straight sand root zone) on irrigation efficiency and turfgrass performance of Bengal creeping bentgrass. Each of the 17 m by 17 m research plot includes a 5% south facing slope. The plots were established in 2003. Data collected in 2006 included turf quality, occurrence of localized dry spot and irrigation water consumption. Overall statistical analysis of the data revealed significant differences in turfgrass quality and localized dry spot occurrence. For the first time since the beginning of the study in 2003, ECS subirrigated creeping bentgrass was of lower quality compared to sprinkler irrigated bentgrass. An unusual wet summer and fall and limited
drainage capabilities resulted in moisture saturation in the ECS rootzone. Subsequently, roots died back and turf quality declined. However, ECS plots showed significantly fewer localized dry spots than either subsurface drip irrigated plots, sprinkler irrigated USGA or California plots. As in previous years, USGA greens irrigated with subsurface drip irrigation had the highest occurrence of localized dry spots.
Impacts
A subsurface drip irrigation system was installed in a lawn at a community garden in Los Alamos, NM. Several homeowners have since then expressed interest in applying this water conservation technology in their home lawn. Three athletic fields at the Rio Rancho high school, 2 soccer fields at NMSU's main campus, and 1 football field at Corona high school are currently under construction and will receive subsurface irrigation technology.
Publications
- Leinauer, B. 2006. Precision irrigation: Prolonged water shortages require innovative measures. TurfNews. 30(2):p. 66, 68.
- Ikemura, Y., and B. Leinauer. 2006. Remote sensing technology detects turfgrass stress. TurfGrass Trends. p. 63-64, 66.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
A 4000 m2 (43,000 ft2) research area was built at the Fabian Garcia Research Center at New Mexico State University to study the impact of irrigation type (sprinkler vs. subsurface drip irrigation vs. subirrigation) and root zone (USGA [United States Golf Association] type with sand/peat root zone vs. California with straight sand root zone) on irrigation efficiency and turfgrass performance of Bengal creeping bentgrass. Each of the 12 research plots is 17 m x 17 m (55' x 55') in size and includes a 5% south facing slope. The plots were established in 2003. Data collected in 2005 included turf quality, occurrence of localized dry spot and irrigation water consumption. Overall statistical analysis of the data revealed significant differences in turfgrass quality and localized dry spot occurrence. ECS subirrigated creeping bentgrass was of significantly higher quality and had significantly fewer localized dry spots than either subsurface drip irrigated plots, sprinkler
irrigated USGA or California plots. USGA greens irrigated with subsurface drip irrigation had the highest occurrence of localized dry spots. Irrigation water consumption was lowest on subirrigated greens. A total of 102 cm (40 inches) of irrigation were needed between January 1 and August 31 to maintain creeping bentgrass on sprinkler irrigated California and USGA greens. Plots irrigated with Evaporative Control System (ECS) subirrigation system and Toro DL 2000 subsurface drip irrigation system were watered with 86 cm (33.8 in) and 106 cm (41.7 in) respectively.
Impacts
Although the benefits of subsurface irrigation have been extensively studied in agriculture, subsurface irrigation has received very little acceptance or attention in the field of turf irrigation, despite strong evidence of its potential water savings. Other advantages of subirrigation systems include the improved distribution uniformity (no wind drift or runoff), uninterrupted use of the turf area during irrigation, and energy savings due to a lower operating pressure.
Publications
- Leinauer, B. 2005. Wetting agent study IV: New Mexico. Golf Course Management. Vol. 73, No. 4, April 2005, p. 62-64.
- Leinauer, B. 2005. Effect of Greens Type, Irrigation Type, and Root Zone Material on Irrigation Efficiency, Turfgrass Quality, and Water Use on Putting Greens in the Southwest. In: Nus, J.L. (ed.) 2004 USGA (United States Golf Association) Turfgrass and Environmental Research Summary. USGA Green Section, Far Hills, N.J. p. 4.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Turf areas, such as home lawns, parks, sport fields, golf greens and tees are usually irrigated with a pop-up sprinkler system installed in the perimeter of the turf areas. Sprinkler irrigation has been the accepted practice for irrigating lawns since Joseph Smith patented the first swiveling lawn sprinkler in 1894, despite its low efficiency in distributing water to the plant stand. Sprinkler overlap, wind drift, and evaporation losses during the irrigation process all contribute to water losses that increase overall water consumption and/or decrease plant stand quality. Subirrigation systems apply water laterally to the root zone from perforated tiles or emitters buried either close to the surface or just below the normal root penetration from beneath the surface (subsurface drip irrigation or subirrigation). Although the benefits of subsurface irrigation have been extensively studied in agriculture, subsurface irrigation has received very little acceptance or
attention in the field of turf irrigation, despite strong evidence of its potential water savings. Other advantages of subirrigation systems include the improved distribution uniformity (no wind drift or runoff), uninterrupted use of the turf area during irrigation, and energy savings due to a lower operating pressure. A 4000 m2 (43,000 ft2) research area was built at the Fabian Garcia Research Center at New Mexico State University to study the impact of irrigation type (sprinkler vs. subsurface drip irrigation vs. subirrigation) and root zone (USGA [United States Golf Association] type with sand/peat root zone vs. California with straight sand root zone) on irrigation efficiency and turfgrass performance of Bengal creeping bentgrass. Each of the 12 research plots is 17 m x 17 m in size and includes a 5% south facing slope. The plots were established in 2003. Data collected in 2004 included turf quality, occurrence of localized dry spot and irrigation water consumption. Overall
statistical analysis of the data revealed significant differences in turfgrass quality and water repellency of the root zone. Subirrigated turf was of significantly higher quality and had significantly fewer localized dry spots than either subsurface drip irrigated plots, sprinkler irrigated USGA or California plots. Plots built according to California specifications with straight sand had the highest occurrence of water repellency. Irrigation water consumption was highest on sprinkler irrigated California and USGA greens. A total of 650 mm (25.6 inches) of irrigation was needed between May and August to maintain turf adequately on sprinkler irrigated California and USGA greens. Plots irrigated with Evaporative Control System (ECS) subirrigation system and Toro Geoflow subsurface drip irrigation system were watered with 345 mm (13.6") and 470 mm (18.5") respectively.
Impacts
Alex Petermeier, a student who graduated from NMSU with a degree in horticulture and who was directly involved in conducting the research described, started his own landscape contractors company after graduation. His company specializes in the installation of subsurface irrigation systems in home lawns. Several subsurface drip systems have been installed in Las Cruces since the company was founded. Based on the results of this research project, Santa Fe High School administrators decided to install a subsurface drip irrigation system into a new baseball field at their high school.
Publications
- Leinauer, B. 2003. Effect of Subirrigation and Soil Amendments on Water Conservation, Irrigation Efficiency and Turfgrass Quality. In: Efficient Irrigation for Water Conservation. Task Force Report. Department of Agricultural Communications.
- Leinauer, B and J. Makk. 2003. Effect of Greens Type, Irrigation Type, and Root Zone Material on Irrigation Efficiency, Turfgrass Quality and Water Use on Putting Greens in the Southwest. In: Nus, J.L. (ed.) 2003 USGA (United States Golf Association) Turfgrass and Environmental Research Summary. USGA Green Section, Far Hills, N.J. p. 4.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
--Finished construction of research area --Collected and analyzed data on establishment. --Presented establishment data at national (ASA, Denver) and regional (turf conferences in Ruidoso and Las Vegas) meetings and at golf course construction workshop in Columbus, Ohio. --Presented description and progress of the study at regional (Knoxville, TN; Ruidoso, NM; and Las Vegas, NV) and international (Barcelona, Spain) workshops. --Gave on site presentations to representatives of various funding agencies and workshop participants.
Impacts
Sierra Sage golf course in Reno, NV, built a putting green that uses subirrigation. Twin Warriors golf course at the Santa Ana pueblo in Rio Rancho, NM, will be installing a demonstration and practice area that is irrigated with a sub-surface drip irrigation system.
Publications
- Leinauer, B., J. Makk, and C. Johnson. 2003. A demonstration and research area to study efficiency in turfgrass irrigation. p. 22-24. In R. Bottoms (ed.) New Mexico State University 2003 Academic Field Day, Leyendecker and Fabian Garcia Plant Science Research Centers Research Reports.
- Leinauer, B. 2003. Effect of Irrigation Type, Root Zone Material, and Root Zone Depth on Irrigation Efficiency and Water Use on Putting Greens in the Southwest. In: Nus, J.L. (ed.) 2002 USGA (United States Golf Association) Turfgrass and Environmental Research Summary. USGA Green Section, Far Hills, N.J. p. 117.
- Leinauer, B., J. Makk, C. Johnson, D. Karcher. 2003. Evaluation of Three Different Irrigation Methods for Establishing Turfgrass from Seed. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts [CD-ROM computer file].
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
We are building the research facility. Seeding is scheduled for March.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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