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Saving Water: ET & Crop Coefficient Study

Sponsoring Unit(s): 
Department of Project: 
UMass Extension
Project Description: 

Video 3 of 3

Presenter - Dr. Scott Ebdon, Turf Agronomist

Lawn and recreational turf can require significant amounts of irrigation to maintain turf function and use. Practices that lower water requirements are especially important as water restrictions and demand for water increase. Scheduling irrigation according to actual turfgrass water use rates (ET) reduces waste by replacing only the amount of water lost from the rootzone to turfgrass use. Reference ET values obtained from weather stations must be adjusted using crop coefficients (Kc values) to achieve a more accurate estimate of actual turf ET. This research seeks to address the current lack of ET data and Kc values specific for climatic conditions and management of recreational turf typical of New England.

Commercial Horticulture topics: 
Turf
Water topics: 
Irrigation