Water Conservation: half-empty or half-full?

This webinar focused on best management practices for residential turfgrass and testing irrigation water quality.

Note: The webinar was recorded on May 3, 2011.

Topics Discussed*:

Use of Drought Resistant Bermudagrass Cultivars for Landscape Water Conservation in Oklahoma

Dr. Justin Moss discussed the research and extension programs aimed at increasing the use of more drought resistant turfgrass cultivars in Oklahoma.

Dr. Moss's presentation is available here (.pdf, 0.9 MB).

Additional Resources:
• The Soil, Water and Forage Analytical Laboratory (SWFAL), Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
• Oklahoma State University – Simple Irrigation Plan, an on-line tool that can answer such questions as When is it time to water your lawn? How long do your sprinklers need to run?
• Turfgrass Science at Oklahoma State University http://www.turf.okstate.edu/

Testing Irrigation Water Quality

Dr. Dara Park presented an overview of extension programs focused on turfgrass management in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. She discussed the increasing reliance on lower quality water for irrigation (due to increased pressure on potable water sources). Dr. Park also described the common components in irrigation water, and tests to determine irrigation water quality.

Dr. Park's presentation is available here (.pdf, 1.3 MB).

Additional Resources:
• Clemson Cooperative Extension. Home and Garden Information Center: lawns (extension bulletins)
• Carolina Clear program, a comprehensive approach developed by Clemson University to inform and educate communities about water quality, water quantity, and the cumulative effects of stormwater
• The Carolina Yard and Neighborhood, or how to create attractive and healthy yards by working with South Carolina's environment, rather than against it
• The Turfgrass Environmental Resource Center (TERC), North Carolina, dedicated to providing environmentally sound information and services to the turfgrass industry
• Park D., L.B. McCarty, and S. A. White. Interpreting Irrigation Water Quality Reports (.pdf). Clemson University
• Clemson University. Guidelines for Interpretation of Water Quality for Irrigation Agricultural Service Laboratory, Clemson University
• 2011 Clemson University Pest Control Guidelines for Professional Turfgrass Managers

Turfgrass Best Management Practices in Florida

Dr. Laurie E. Trenholm presented an overview of best management practices (BMPs) for turfgrass in Florida. She also discussed GI-BMP training program conducted by the University of Florida to train and certify landscape professionals.

Dr. Trenholm's presentation is available here (.pdf, 0.8 MB).

Additional Resources:
• Trenholm L. 2009. Homeowner Best Management Practices for the Home Lawn. University of Florida Publication #ENH979
• What Are Best Management Practices for Florida's Green Industries?
• GI-BMP Training and Program Overview

*Note: Clean Streams Program for environmentally responsible turfgrass professionals (North Carolina) was presented as a part of the webinar about Evaluation of water conservation programs

Recording:

The webinar recording is available in the following formats:
• Audio recording with complimentary presentations
  You can listen to audio only recording using Windows Media Player by clicking here. Complementary set of presentations is available here (.pdf, 3.5 MB).
• Elluminate Live! on-line collaborative environment
  Elluminate Live! recording is available here.
• Narrated presentations
  Narrated presentations are available upon request. Contact Tatiana Borisova at tborisova@ufl.edu

Question and Answer Session:

Responses to the question about the nutrient requirements for bermudagrass are available here (.pdf). Please refer to the webinar recording for the additional questions discussed during the webinar.