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8.14 Water Conservation Measures <br /> Total water consumption at golf courses is related to water supply and evaporation <br /> demand, length of the growing season, turfgrass species and cultivars, amount and rate of <br /> vegetative growth, and cultural practices (Balough and Walker, 1992). Water conservation <br /> measures include the use of drought tolerant species and/or cultivars and water application <br /> strategies to reduce water loss. Warm season grasses such as zoysia grass, bermuda <br /> grass, buffalo grass and centipede grass have low overall water use rates. Among cool <br /> season grasses, Kentucky blue grass has slightly lower rates of water consumption <br /> compared to tall fescue, creeping bentgrass, and perennial ryegrass. <br /> Cultural practices such as mowing,timing of fertilization,timing and duration of irrigation, <br /> the use of antitranspirants and growth regulators, soil cultivation techniques can favorably <br /> improve water conservation. Cultural practices that reduce water consumption include <br /> increasing mowing frequency (within economic constraints and optimal playability <br /> factors). Frequent mowing reduces the amount of leaf area, thereby reducing <br /> evapotranspiration. Using as little nitrogen as absolutely necessary reduces water needs <br /> also, as growth rate, amount of nutrients available, and water consumption are positively <br /> correlated. Fine-tuning irrigation frequency based on up-to-date moisture-sensing methods <br /> that are based on observed need rather than calendar scheduling can reduce water use. <br /> Buckeye Ranch Resource Plan (November, 1993) <br /> 231 <br />