Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance

Fresh water supplies are becoming severely limited around the world, especially in developed or developing countries, where urban sprawl, industrial growth, and agricultural modernization are placing greater demands on existing water supplies. It has been estimated that the demand for water has increased over three times in the past 50 years (Huffman, 2004) and it is assumed that this demand will continue to increase in the decades ahead. As the demand for potable water increases, there is increased scrutiny on water use, especially related to activities classified as “non-essential”. The use of water to maintain landscapes, athletic facilities, and other nonagricultural uses is often criticized and scrutinized by various governing bodies and the general public. To meet the growing tide of concern over landscape water use, while maintaining an acceptable quality of life, it is imperative that researchers work to introduce plants into the market that utilize less water, utilize poor water sources, or use limited water more efficiently. In relation to this, the development of turfgrass cultivars with improved tolerance to limited or low-quality water remains one of the most important research objectives facing the turfgrass industry.