Turfing with saline water. 1

[az12]

Hi,

I am currently involved in a turfing project within a reclamation site. The turfing works involve hydroseeding of cowgrass(axonopus affinis), annual ryegrass(lolium perenne), chinese white millet(echinochloa cruz galli) and bermuda grass. The hydroseeding is done on reclaimed sand with some sections at an elevation of 5m and some on ground level.

As the area is near the seashore, the groundwater is much affected by the ingress of tidal water making the water saline (salinity content of about 6,000ppm). We are currently using the groundwater to irrigate the seeds.

I am wondering if anyone out there have ever used brackish water for irrigation and how was the outcome/rate/quality? I am very concerned about the rate of germination as I am to handover the turfed area within 3mths. I am also worried about salt injury. For your information, the site conditions is harsh with temperature reaching about 35 degree Celsius at mid-day on some days and the humidity level is around 90%. Percipitation could be zero for up to 1 week sometimes but thankfully the monsoon period is just around the corner.

Would appreciate if anyone out there could share their experience.

Thanks...

 

[PUMPDESIGNER]

No expert here, but this is what I have seen.
Percentage of salinity in the water is important, but buildup in the soil is the key. Many grasses can tolerate the high salinity of the water, but then the buildup in the soil is deadly. From experience I see soil drainage as key. In sand, with frequent waterings, and especially if there is some rain to help, soil build up is not a problem. I have seen golf courses and lawns survive nicely for years at salinity rates considered deadly. In one case the turf had a slight yellowish color instead of deep green, but was otherwise healthy for many years that I observed it.

Some people have done a lot with turf in the Caribbean for obvious reasons. Check out these links, especially the first one from University of Florida:

http://turf.ufl.edu/residential/seashorepaspalum.htm

http://www.geocities.com/barbudaturf/

http://www.etsturf.com/

http://www.saltgolf.com/

PUMPDESIGNER

 

[az12]

Thanks PUMPDESIGNER for your reply. The websites proved to be useful indeed.

We are actually having a fair bit of rain lately due to the upcoming monsoon season. So the upper sand layer is being washed considerably off the saline content. Presently, the bermuda is growing encouragingly but the affinis (cowgrass) is growing too slowly. Any one out there with experience germinating affinis in saline water?

Thks