Landscape coefficients prove useful for urban water conservation efforts; New strategies provide important irrigation information, promote water savings

According to the authors of a study published in HortScience, end-users lack understanding of best management practices for landscape water management, thus contributing to excess water use. To gain insight into innovative water-saving strategies, the researchers tested the use of landscape coefficients as a tool in irrigation decision-making and resulting water savings in urban landscapes.

"Significant water use savings may be achieved if landscape irrigation is based on reference evapotranspiration -- the amount of water lost through evaporation from the soil and plant surface plus that lost through plant transpiration," explained the study's corresponding author Tim Pannkuk. The research team measured landscape crop coefficients (KL) for landscapes composed of different vegetation types and irrigation water quality differences affecting KL. The KL values were determined for landscape vegetation sites in College Station and San Antonio, Texas.

"In our study, St. Augustinegrass KL increased seasonally in San Antonio. The untrimmed native grasses increased in height and girth from spring until the first frost in November, whereas the mowed St. Augustinegrass had a relatively constant plant height and density during this time period," said Pannkuk. "The data showed that the mean KL for native grass was not statistically different from the KL of St. Augustinegrass with or without a tree. This implies that a seasonal KL could be used in irrigation recommendations for amenity landscapes with mixed species." Pannkuk noted that "it appears that the native grasses are opportunistic plants in regard to water use."

Municipalities and water planning agencies rely on several proven methods to promote water conservation. The new research shows that the use of a landscape coefficient for irrigating mixed-species landscapes has potential to enhance regional planning and conservation efforts. The study concluded that seasonal landscape water demand could be closely predicted with a landscape coefficient, weather station data, and number of irrigated acres in the region.