TITUTE


HELPFUL HINTS


FROM THE LAWN INSTITUTE


FROM THE LAWN INSTITUTE FLOODING AND TURFGRASS HEALTH


Whether it’s a large landscaping project or a weekend cookout, anyone who spends time outdoors is aware of the impacts of heavy rainfall. Summer thunderstorms or tropical systems often bring much needed rain to lawns and outdoor plants, but their volatility and uncertainty also have the potential to wreak havoc by delivering water faster than it can be handled. Tis is particularly true in urban areas where rainfall hitting hardscapes such as roads, rooftops, parking lots, etc. has little to no open space to infiltrate into the soil except for green spaces such as parks, lawns, golf courses, roadsides, etc. When water does find its way to these areas, it often takes hours or even days to infiltrate, resulting in prolonged submersion of plants, including turfgrasses.


Perennial turfgrasses are more tolerant of flooding than many horticultural or agricultural plants. Teir extensive stem tissue such as rhizomes (below ground lateral stems) and stolons (above ground lateral stems) store carbohydrates including sugars, starches, cellulose, etc. that can be used to produce new leaf tissue once floods recede. It is not uncommon for perennial turfgrasses such as bermudagrass, bahiagrass, tall fescue, and others to survive several days or more of being fully submerged under water. Generally speaking, bermudagrass, bahiagrass, St. Augustinegrass, creeping bentgrass, and tall fescue are highly to moderately tolerant to flooding while zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue are not quite as tolerant.


care and helpful “How to” tips, visit The Lawn Institute at: ww.TheLawnInstitute.org.


TPI Turf News July/August 2018


Tere are many impacts of flooding to consider when managing turfgrasses in lawns, athletic fields, golf courses, and other sites. First are the physiological effects of hypoxia (low oxygen) and anoxia (no oxygen) which result in decreased aerobic respiration of plant roots due to the inability of oxygen to diffuse into the roots through saturated soils. Many people often think of plants as producing oxygen, which they do as a by-product of photosynthesis. However, aerobic respiration is an equally important process in plants whereby they require oxygen to break down and release the energy stored in carbon compounds for cellular use and growth. When respiration ceases due to flooding, plant cells can no longer support the function and growth of existing tissues or convert sugars into new tissues. If submerged long enough, this can result in significant turfgrass injury or mortality.


Floods also have the ability to leach or move soil nutrients off-site, break down or shorten the life of pre-emergent herbicide barriers, displace arthropods, deposit weed-seed or silt, and even bring in human debris such as trash, nails, etc. Tey also can encourage the growth of certain weed species such as sedges, rushes, and annual bluegrass (Poa annua). Important turfgrass management techniques and tools to remediate flood damage include verticutting/dethatching, sweeping/vacuuming, and aeration to remove debris, break through silt layers, and improve oxygen in the soil profile.


Flooded sites also may require diligent scouting and follow-up treatments for specific weed species. However, in many cases the hardy and perennial nature of turfgrasses will allow them to fully recover with time, attention, and cooperative weather.


For more information on lawn care and helpful “How to” tips, visit The Lawn Institute at: www.TheLawnInstitute.org.


For more information on lawn care and helpful “How to” tips, visit The Lawn Ins www.TheLawnInstitute.org.


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