The new cultivars have better turf appearance. Determining the Drought Tolerance, and Salinity Tolerance of Saltgrass. In conjunction with the above project, we are determining the actual drought and salinity tolerances, compared to bermudagrass, of twenty-one types of saltgrass which have potential to become new turfgrasses. Established in the fall of 1997 on a USGA green, sixteen seeded bentgrass were planted at the Country Club of Green Valley. The grasses are evaluated monthly for turfgrass color, quality, uniformity, ball speed and seasonal stress.
Entries vary tremendously in color, density and texture.
The test will last until 2001. The better varieties will be reported for Arizona conditions. Eight vegetative bermudagrasses were established as plugs on a USGA green at the Country Club of Green Valley in July 1998. The turfs will be mowed as greens starting April 1999. Ball speed will be taken monthly along with turfgrass color, quality, density and performance criteria.