INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY, cilt.17, sa.3, ss.431-439, 2015 (SCI-Expanded)
This study examined the effects of different irrigation levels and nitrogen rates on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) evapotranspiration and quality in a sub-humid climate over a two-year period (2007-2008). Nitrogen treatment (25 kg N ha(-1); N-1 and 50 kg N ha(-1); N-2) varied among main plots and irrigation levels (25%; I-1, 50%; I-2, 75%; I-3, 100%; I-4 and 125%; I-5 of the Class A pan evaporation) by subplot. Irrigation was performed at 3-day intervals during May-September using a pop-up sprinkler irrigation system, and N applied as a monthly rate during the irrigation period. Seasonal turfgrass evapotranspiration was found to vary by treatment from 309-1178 mm in 2007 and from 379-1097 mm in 2008. Turfgrass visual color, quality and clipping yield were shown to decrease significantly with decreases in irrigation water and N fertilizer. The study findings demonstrated that under a non-limiting water supply, irrigation could be decreased by adjusting N fertilizer rates according to turfgrass visual color and quality and that N1I4 or N2I3 treatments can maintain acceptable turfgrass visual color and quality under sub-humid climatic conditions. (C) 2015 Friends Science Publishers