Drought-stricken areas get advice on drought-resistant grass and waterconservation

 ALBANY,
Ore. - PRN - GHN News Editor "We're in the very early stages of identifying exciting, new
water-sipping, drought-tolerant grasses that could play a major role in
lawn water conservation."


Seasons
of drought bring scruffy, dry lawns and a tendency for people to use
more water and electricity to make them green.  This puts pressure on a community water
supply.  But Dr. Mike Richardson, a University of Arkansas plant sciences professor and TWCA research adviser have announced what might be the answer to these problems.

It
might also be a good answer for Natchitoches, Louisiana, which has had a
relatively dry season, with the result that Cane River Lake is so low
boats are unable to traverse the 36-mile stretch of water and grasses
have browned from lack of rain.

Focused
on identifying plants and lawn grasses that thrive on less water, the
Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) today announced it has
qualified two dozen varieties of drought-tolerant grasses in time for
fall planting season.

The
non-profit organization, made up of leading researchers and seed
producers, is dedicated to the discovery, evaluation and development of
environmentally green landscape products that can go weeks without
water.

Richardson
tells us, "Current trials have revealed bermudagrasses that hang onto
70% of their green color after 60 days in summer temperatures without
irrigation.   His statement gives some assurance to drought-stricken
areas, and those areas who have had seasonal difficulties, like the town
of Natchitoches, Louisiana, that there are many new cool season grasses
require a lot less water as well.

"The research has shown that new drought-tolerant Kentucky
blue grasses could save as much as 10,000 gallons of water over a
single growing season compared to some heat-tolerant varieties,"
Richardson said of recent TWCA research findings.  "Since many newfound
blue grass varieties can go an extra week or two without water, periodic
rains could help consumers save even more irrigation water each year."

The
TWCA points out, however, the success of next generation grasses
depends heavily on consumer education and the elimination of
misperceptions about lawn water requirements.

"Grasses
don't use too much water, people do. As a result, turf gets the unfair
and unfounded label as a heavy water user," explained Richardson, who
puts helpful conservation tips to work in his own lawn. "The recent
success of eco-friendly lawn products like Pennington's Smart Seed is
proof of the growing trend toward environmentally greener lawns.
Consumers want to use less irrigation water on their lawns. They just
need to learn how. By planting TWCA-qualified grasses, they're taking an
important first step toward landscape water conservation." he added.

In the meantime, scientists give us the following water-conserving lawn irrigation tips:

• Turn off automatic sprinkler and irrigation systems and operate them manually


• Take
  note of where you see the first signs of drought stress in your lawn
  "That first patch of stressed lawn will consistently serve as your
  notice that it's time to irrigate," said Richardson, sharing his own
  personal irrigation barometer that keeps his lawn healthy at home.


• When
  you do irrigate, give the lawn a good soaking to encourage deeper root
  growth. The deeper the root growth, the longer the turf can sustain
  healthy, green growth without water.


• Select drought-tolerant grasses suited to your planting zone and qualified by the TWCA