Scope and Importance

of Turf grass

Prabhu G MSc Floriculture

For centuries, humans have used turf grasses to enhance

their environment and quality of life. Turf grasses have many benefits that can be separated into

Functional, Aesthetic , and Recreational components…

Importance

Turf and lawn areas include soil erosion control, dust stabilization, Enhanced groundwater recharge and improved surface water

quality, Improved entrapment and decomposition of synthetic chemical

pollutants, Soil improvement and restoration, Heat dissipation and temperature moderation, Noise abatement, glare reduction, Sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2), and several other benefits.

Functional benefits

Turf grasses serve as an inexpensive, durable ground

cover as well as in protecting our valuable, non-renewable soil resources. Perennial turf grasses offer one of the most cost efficient methods to control wind and water erosion of soil, which is very important in eliminating dust and mud problems around homes, factories, schools and businesses

1. Soil erosion control and dust stabilization - vital soil resource protection.

The dense plant canopy of mowed turf grasses is very

effective in the entrapment of water and airborne particulate materials, as well as in absorbing gaseous pollutants. The high degree of water runoff that occurs from impervious surfaces in urban areas carries many pollutants in the runoff. Turf grasses offer one of the best known systems for catchment of the runoff water plus the pollutants, especially if proper landscape designs are used.

Reduces runoff from precipitation and contributes to flood control

One of the key mechanisms by which turf grasses control

soil erosion is through a superior capability to essentially absorb or trap and hold runoff water. A healthy turfed lawn absorbs rainfall six times more effectively than a wheat field, and four times better than a hay field ; being exceeded in this important function only by a virgin forest. This attribute is certainly important in enhancing ground water recharge.

Enhance ground water level

The overall temperature of urban areas may be as much as

10-12°F warmer than nearby rural areas. Turf grasses, through the cooling process of evapotranspiration, serve an important function in dissipating the high levels of heat generated in urban areas. For example, a football field has the cooling capacity of a 70 ton air conditioner. The cooling effect of irrigated turfs and landscapes can result in energy savings via reducing the energy input and allied costs required for the mechanical cooling of interiors of adjacent homes and buildings.

Enhances heat dissipation - temperature moderation.

The rough surface characteristics of turf grass function in

noise abatement as well as in multi- directional light reflection that reduces glare. A grass area of 70 feet distance on a roadside can abate obtrusive vehicle noises by 40%. Thus, turfs lower the hardness of unwanted noise and lessen the visual stress of glare.

Reduces noise abatement, glare reduction, and visual pollution problems.

Roadside turf grasses are important in highway safety, as

well as erosion control, in that they function as a stabilized zone for emergency stoppage of vehicles. Turf grasses also are utilized for soil and dust stabilization around airfield runways in order to prolong the operating life of engines, while smaller airstrips utilize turf grasses as the runway surface itself.

Provides safety in vehicle operation/equipment longevity.

Lawns and other turf grass areas result in a positive

therapeutic benefit that improves mental health and productivity, contributes to social harmony and stability, and generally improves quality of life, especially in densely populated areas.

Aesthetic benefits

Turf grasses are well known—they provide a relatively

low-cost, safe surface that reduces injuries when compared to non-turf areas.

Considering the general benefits of turf grass, it is apparent that the preservation and maintenance of these areas, including home lawns, is an important objective.

Recreational benefits

Cooling: Average-size front lawns of eight homes have

the cooling effect of about 70 tons of air conditioning

Following are some facts about turfgrass:

A 2500 square foot lawn absorbs carbon dioxide and

releases enough oxygen for a family of four.

Air-cleansing:

To reduce injuries, over 90% of National Football League

players prefer natural turf to artificial turf. The safety benefits of well managed turf extend to all levels of athletic activity, particularly primary and secondary schools that often lack the supervision and equipment found in professional and college sports.

Safety:

A healthy lawn absorbs rainfall and reduces runoff up to

80 times more efficiently than impervious surfaces, such as drive ways, sidewalks and parking lots.

Soil & Water Protection:

Studies also have shown that aesthetically-pleasing

landscapes, including turf grass, contribute up to 15% to home property values.

Economic:

Among diverse avenue of floriculture, turf grass is an

upcoming avenue to flourish the floriculture and landscaping trade.

The turf grass industry is often called as “Hidden Agricultural Industry’’ because it is not routinely surveyed like other agricultural agencies.

Scope

Home owners Athletic field managers Lawn care operators Golf course superintendents Architects Developers and owners

The turf grass industry consists of no of following diverse beneficiaries:

Landscape designers and contractors Seed and sod producers Parks and grounds superintendents Road side vegetation managers Cemetry managers.

Cont….

The demand for turf grass is increasing day by day as new

specialized parks , golf courses and stadia are emerging in different location of the country.

Increasing awareness and health conscious attitude of the

urban population offers a unique scope to diversify in to turf grass industry and lawn development and management.

This industry has opened up a multimillion dollar business

for the farmers all over the world and there is a lot of scopes for Indian farmers and unemployed youth.