Lysimeter Experiments on Water Consumption by Turf Grasses in Beijing under Different Mowed Heights

摘要

Soil erosion, land desertification, Environmental improvement is increasingly an important concern. Turf grasses become an important part in urban areas. Water shortage in cities causes great attentions on the irrigation of turf grasses. To improve the water use efficiency in turf management, the effects of mowed heights (5, 10, 15 cm and no mowing) of turf grasses on the water consumptions were investigated experimentally with 3 grass species (Poa pratensis, Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne) with portable lysimeters, under full water supply conditions. Water consumptions for the 3 grasses were estimated from the experimental data with water balance model. Results showed that water consumptions increase with the grasses heights for all the experimental species. The reductions in water consumptions for grasses mowed to 5 cm height were 37% (Poa pratensis), 34% (Festuca arundinacea) and 34% (Lolium perenne) lower than those for the un-mowed grasses, about 1/3 reduction of applied water for all the three species. The results should be useful for water management of turf grasses in the areas of similar conditions.