(Editor's note: The following article was excerpted from a research paper from a team led by Robert Green, Ph.D., the entirety of which can be found at https://tinyurl.com/yd2l2cxy.)

Common bermudagrass and hybrid bermudagrass are very popular turfgrass species in warm climates across the United States. The growth characteristics, overall appearance and adaptation of bermuda-grass to these climates deliver a quality turf that will respond well to a range of maintenance levels.

Plots were mowed two days per week with a walk-behind reel mower. Height of cut was 0.75 inch (1.9 cm) during the first summer, and 0.87 inch (2.2 cm) during the second one. Plots were fertilized by hand once every two weeks at a nitrogen rate of 0.30 pound/1,000 square feet with a 16N-6P2 O5 -8K2 O granular fertilizer. Visual turfgrass quality and color ratings were taken once every two weeks (nine days after fertilization and two days after mowing).

Results and Conclusions
During both years, overall average visual turfgrass quality and color were greater than 6.0 (acceptable) for the 100% and 75% optimal treatments; the 50% optimal treatment average was not lower than 5.7, which is considerably higher than the minimally acceptable rating of 5.0.

In the study, total salts did not build up appreciably in the 0- to 12- inch soil profile because they were irrigated with a high-quality recycled water. In other situations, salt buildup could be a problem. Fortunately, bermudagrass has been reported to possess the highest salt-tolerance rating.

Results from deficit irrigation will vary because of multiple factors, but these results show that 75% to 50% optimal (63% to 41% ETo, respectively, for the duration of the warm season) can be used while maintaining acceptable to minimally acceptable bermudagrass quality and color. But the 50% optimal treatment could be too low for many situations, such as desert areas.