A study was conducted in New Mexico from 2005 to 2007 to investigate the effects of two potable water‐saving strategies, irrigating with saline water and using subsurface systems, on changes in rootzone salinity and quality of nine warm‐season turfgrasses. Plots were irrigated using either sprinklers or subsurface drip with water of 1 of 3 salinity levels (0.6, 2.0, and 3.5 dS m⁻¹). Plots were rated monthly for quality during the growing seasons and bi‐annually for spring and fall color. Soil samples were collected bi‐annually (June and November) and analyzed for electrical conductivity (EC), Na, and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) at depths of 0 to 20 and 50 to 60 cm. Electrical conductivity and Na values in 0 to 20 cm peaked in June of 2005 and 2006 and dropped to lower levels after the summer rainy season. With the exception of moderately saline irrigated plots in 2005, summer EC did not differ between drip and sprinkler irrigated plots for any of the three water qualities. Electrical conductivity, Na, and SAR at a rootzone depth of 0 to 20 cm were highest in June 2006 reaching 4.7 dS m⁻¹, 1024 mg L⁻¹, and 16.1, respectively. For most of the grasses tested, EC, Na, or SAR values showed no significant relationship with turf quality. Drip irrigation resulted in earlier green‐up than sprinkler irrigation but had no effect on summer quality or fall color retention. Most of the warm season grasses included in this study maintained an acceptable quality level when drip‐irrigated with saline water.

A field experiment was conducted at New Mexico State University to investigate the effect of seeding rates and ZEBA polymer [starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-propenoic acid) potassium salt] seed coating on the germination and establishment of warm- and cool-season grasses, and cool-season blends and mixtures. Grasses were established at recommended and reduced (50% of recommended) seeding rates with coated and uncoated seeds under two irrigation regimes (98% and 56% reference evapotranspiration). With the exception of ‘Bengal’ creeping bentgrass ( Agrostis stolonifera ), the polymer coating did not improve germination of the turfgrasses tested 22 days after seeding (DAS). However, at the end of the establishment period (92 DAS), plots established with ‘Bengal’, Dunes Mix [mixture of ‘Hardtop’ hard fescue ( Festuca longifolia ), ‘Baron’ kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis ), ‘Barok’ sheep fescue ( Festuca ovina )], ‘Panama’ bermudagrass ( Cynodon dactylon ), and Turf Sense™ [mixture of ‘Baronie’ kentucky bluegrass, ‘Barlennium’ perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne ), and ‘Barcampsia’ tufted hairgrass ( Deschampsia cespitosa )] achieved greater coverage (based on visual estimations) when coated seed was used compared with uncoated seed. Establishment was greater for ‘Bengal’, Dunes Mix, ‘Panama’, Turf Sense™, and Turf Saver™ [blend of ‘Barlexas II’, ‘Barrington’, and ‘Labarinth’ tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea )] when normal seeding rates were applied compared with reduced seeding rates. ‘Barleria’ crested hairgrass ( Koeleria macrantha ) plots did not establish, regardless of the treatments applied. Results showed that seed coating has the potential to improve establishment at recommended and reduced seeding rates and can compensate for less favorable conditions such as reduced irrigation, reduced seeding rate, or for a combination of both. At the end of the establishment period, not all grasses achieved coverage greater than 50%. Further research over a longer establishment period is needed to determine if coated seed can be beneficial in achieving full coverage.

Smart irrigation controllers have demonstrated potential for turfgrass water conservation in humid and temperate environments but have not been comprehensively tested in arid environments. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of a wireless capacitance sensor over a wide soil moisture range and to ascertain if smart irrigation controllers resulted in water savings without reducing quality of tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.). A two‐yr study was conducted to compare turfgrass quality, root morphology, and water use of plots irrigated with a constant run time to plots for which irrigation was scheduled using soil moisture sensors (SMS), evapotranspiration (ET) [Climate Logic (CL)] controllers, or 80% of historic ET (ET80) for tall fescue and 60% (ET60) for bermudagrass. Sensors accurately tracked soil moisture up to salinity levels of 4 dS m⁻¹. Turf performance and root morphology were not affected by irrigation treatments for either grass. Compared to tall fescue plots irrigated with constant run time, plots irrigated using ET80 and CL required 38% less water, and SMS plots used 44% less than tall fescue. Scheduling bermudagrass irrigation by ET60, CL, and SMS resulted in a 29, 42, and 39% reduction in water applied compared to constant run time. The majority of water savings was in spring and fall. Water requirement for bermudagrass during the summer did not differ between the scheduling treatments. Our study confirms that smart irrigation controllers can be used as an effective measure to conserve water in an arid environment.

A novel coronavirus, termed COVID‐19, spread worldwide and become a global pandemic in 2020. Forecasts show that COVID‐19 will cause substantial economic contraction affecting almost every industry. Managed turfgrass, particularly in urban settings, has many positive societal and environmental benefits. In a contracted economy, will resources be available to manage turfgrass to achieve these benefits? In this paper, we outline the benefits of managed turfgrass on golf courses, playing fields, recreational parks, and urban landscapes to assist decision makers with resource allocation in the COVID‐19 era.