Comparison of Turfgrass Density, Root Growth, Thatch Accumulation, and Infiltration Rate in Warm-season Korean Lawngrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) and Major Cool-season Grasses in the Anysoil System

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth characteristics and infiltration rate in warm-season (WSG) and cool-season grasses (CSGs) in the anysoil system. Treatments employed Kentucky bluegrass (KB, Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (PR, Lolium perenne L.), tall fescue (TF, Festuca arundinacea Shreb.), and Korean lawngrass (KL, Zoysia japonica Steud.) and were replicated four times in RCBD. Significant differences were observed in turfgrass in different seasons for these growth characteristics. Turfgrass density was better in the CSGs than in KL, being KB > PR > TF > KL in order. In our study, the ranking for root growth was KB > PR > TF > KL, while that for rooting system was PR > KB > TF > KL. Thatch accumulation was inconsistent between WSG and CSGs, but its ranking was TF > PR > KB among the CSGs. Evaluation of the water infiltration rate showed the similar results as for root growth, being KB > PR > TF > KL. A higher infiltration rate was observed in CSGs than WSG, being 1.36 to 2.34 times greater than that of KL. Growth habit and root growth pattern vary with turfgrass. Drainage capacity more easily deteriorates with a B-type TF and PR over a R-type KB. Therefore, growing characteristics and drainage capacity should be effectively managed. It was concluded that water infiltration capacity in loamy soil was highly associated with root growth and thatch accumulation. Information on turfgrass density, root growth, rooting development, and thatch accumulation in relation to infiltration rate is useful in the establishment and management of low-maintenance turf areas.