Turfgrass Evapotranspiration

Summary

This paper reviews factors influencing water use and methods to reduce it. Water use in turfgrass typically is quantified by evapotranspiration rate (ET), which refers to the loss of water from the soil through evaporation and from the plant through transpiration. Turfgrass ET rates vary among species and cultivars within a species. Inter-and intraspecific variations in ET rates could be explained by differences in stomatal characteristics, growth rate and habit, canopy configuration, and rooting characteristics. The ET rates also are influenced by environmental conditions and cultural practices. Environmental conditions include climatic factors such as temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, and wind and edaphic factors such as soil temperature, water availability, and soil texture. Cultural practices include mowing, irrigation, fertility, use of antitranspirants, and plant growth regulators.

Key Words:

• Evapotranspiration rate
• turfgrass
• water use