Page 14 - Transitioning Turfgrass

TRANSITIONING TURFGRASS

tion areas are far from the TZ, above all in
Europe, where it is almost impossible to find
appropriate field structure, machinery and
farmer expertise for growing grass in the TZ.
Due to this, and also due to seed quality pur-
poses, most seed companies in the European
TZ purchase turfgrass seeds in the USA, C3
species mainly in Oregon and C4 species in
Arizona. It implies an extra cost and sometimes
more important, a delivery delay, which is a
decisive factor for example to have access to Photo 2 Irrigation is almost compulsory in the Transition Zone.
the most recent July-August harvesting of Loli-
um perenne seed, programmed for overseed-
ing on Cynodon dactylon in early October. Opportunities
* Turfgrass implantation window: it can be a
big problem for C4 species as these species in Only the fact that turfgrass could be cultivated
the TZ just have a few months with vigorous in the TZ is a big opportunity. Human beings,
growth. A sufficient period of warm weath- above all those living in big cities, benefit from
er should follow seeding in order to promote turfgrass for its sensorial qualities: freshness, smell,
rapid warm season turf establishment (Tur- touch and sight. Turfgrass can be found in every
geon, 2005). Bermudagrass seeding window public park where people can spend hours on it
in some areas of the TZ is June-July while for relaxing themselves or playing games.
zoysiagrass, this is even narrower due to its Turfgrass is also a big business opportunity for the
slower growth rate. On the other hand C3 TZ, as the golf and football industry is completely
species in the TZ are easier to get established dependent on turfgrass species that are not origi-
than C4 species. nals of that area. But unlike other places on earth
* Irrigation is almost compulsory: the big (cool and warm areas) all turfgrass species can be
weather diversity of the TZ does not only grown in the TZ.
involve temperature, but also rainfall events Finally, turfgrass has proven to be effective in se-
which are unequally distributed throughout questering atmospheric CO and in improving soil
2
the year. Therefore, irrigation systems are nec- quality (Quian et al., 2015).
essary (Photo 2), with the following associated In conclusion, although most of the turfgrass spe-
problems occurring frequently: high cost, poor cies are not well adapted to the transition zone,
design, lack of uniformity, lack of water quali- and hence, a big effort has to be made in order to
ty, low management expertise,… maintain a good quality turfgrass sward, benefits
* Elevated and diverse number of inputs are for the transition zone are unquestionable.
used: it is clear that turfgrass species in the
TZ run into difficulties at some point during
the year and groundkeepers act preventively References
or curatively by applying pesticides, fertilizers,
growth regulators, wetting agents, pigments, Beard J.B., 1998. The origins of turfgrass species. Golf Course
etc. more intensely than in turfgrass adapted Management. XX: 49-55.
zones. Additionally, the type and quantity of Quian Y., Follett R.F., Kimble J.M., 2015. Soil Organic Car-
agronomic practices increases as well, like: bon Input from Urban Turfgrasses. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 74:
overseeding, irrigation, fertilization, pesticide 366-371.
application, etc. which implies a higher man- Turgeon A.J., 2005. Turfgrass Management (7th Edition).
aging expertise level. Pearson Prentice Hall. Pp. 415.

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