Evapotranspiration of Tall Fescue Turf

Abstract

Mini-lysimetry was used for evapotranspiration (ET) assessment of six tall fescue cultivars ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) grown under field conditions. Crop coefficients (K c ) and fraction of available soil water were calculated. Cultivars differed in ET by as much as 18%. Turf-types had lower ET than forage-types, with ET rates of 6.6 and 7.2 mm·day –1 , respectively. ‘Kenhy’ and ‘Kentucky 31’ had the highest and ‘Rebel’ and ‘Mustang’ had the lowest total ET for 16 days measured during Summer 1984. Cultivars differed in extraction of available soil water and capacity to meet ET demand. Cultivars differed in wilting tendency. ‘Mustang’ and ‘Rebel’ had low ET, but wilted early. ‘Adventure’ had a relatively high ET, but did not show signs of wilt.