Some of these granules can absorb hundreds of times their original size and weight. As they contract they slowly release stored water into the soil - and little is lost to percolation or evaporation. These polymers can also absorb herbicides, pesticides and soil nutrients for slow release into the root zone. These additives can be difficult to work with, and don't come without a cost, but as they become more common their role in water management is likely to grow. Moisture, in all forms, is valuable and turf cut at its optimum height will make the most of it.
Water is lost through the surface of the plant's leaves.
Studies have shown that turf mowed at a greater height of cut will lose more moisture per day than turf mowed to a lower height. While mowing at a lower height might be a good strategy for reducing the loss of moisture from a grass plant, the overall health of the plant must be considered. Turf cut too short will have a shallow root system, and this root system won't be able to obtain sufficient water from the surrounding soil to keep the plants healthy for long under conditions of drought or extreme heat. Turf usually responds to lack of moisture by growing longer roots to capture more water. Turf cropped too short will not have the ability to do this should a water shortage materialize - so, maintaining turf at significantly shorter heights puts added strain on your irrigation system.