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FAIR-WATER I: Towards better drought resistance and reduced water consumption on golf course fairways

Summary

During the past five years, many European golf courses (GCs) have experienced an increased risk of drought due to global warming. Scarcity of potable water for irrigation has become an issue even in the Nordic countries.

With a focus on Northern Europe, this project will (1) identify the most drought-resistant cultivars and seed blends/mixtures for available for golf course fairways and (2) explore the potential of market-ready soil surfactants to prevent drought on unirrigated fairways. The project includes replicated trials at NIBIO Landvik and Hochschule Osnabrück.

The project will emphasise ready-to use research and technology transfer, including revision of STERFs irrigation handbook.

Contact
Trygve S. Aamlid

Trygve S. Aamlid, NIBIO Division for Environment and Natural Resources, Turfgrass Research Group, Landvik, N-4886 Grimstad, Norway. Tel. + 47 90528378. E-mail: trygve.aamlid@nibio.no

FACTS
Category: Water, nutrients, construction
Status: Ongoing
Project period: 2023-2026

Fundings (kSEK)

 

2023

2024

2025

2026

 

Total

STERF

567

572

580

81

 

1800

Other sources

 

649

491

250

0

 

1390

Total

1216

1063

830

81

 

3190

 

Project objectives

The main aim is to develop management strategies for resilient GC fairways that retain acceptable quality with no or strongly reduced consumption of potable irrigation water. Specific objectives are to:

  • Identify the most drought-resistant cultivars and blends of the turfgrass species/subspecies commonly seeded on (a) fairways and (b) semi-roughs/lawns in Northern Europe, including mixtures of these species.

  • Screen eight soil surfactants for their potential to prevent drought stress, reduce waterconsumption and enhance recovery after drought.
  •  Validate in field trials in Norway and Germany the two most drought-tolerant blends/mixtures and the two best-performing surfactants identified in previous steps, to optimise fairway quality under drought.