School of Plant Biology

Many towns in rural Australia are threatened by rising saline groundwater, which might be used to irrigate salt-tolerant grasses for turfgrass.

Our research aims to improve knowledge of the physiology of salt-tolerant grasses managed as turfgrass, as well as fates of salts and water, when turfgrass is irrigated with saline groundwater.

Field experiments are located in Wagin, 228km south-east of Perth. Plots were planted during October 2006, and saline treatments began in January 2007.

Various plant and soil parameters will be sampled over two years.

Two experiments

We are evaluating growth, quality, and water use of four species when irrigated with potable water or saline groundwater extracted from under Wagin.

The species are:

1. Kikuyu
   
2. Saltwater couch or seashore paspalum
3. Saltgrass or NyPa turf
4. Marine couch grass.

In another experiment, irrigation will be provided to saltwater couch at different percentages of net evaporation.

Salt build-up in the root-zone will be monitored and related to turfgrass performance.