University of Florida

Turfgrass and Ornamental Plant Evapotranspiration
and Crop Coefficient Literature Review

Turfgrass and Ornamental Plant Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficient Literature Review (418KB pdf)

Turfgrasses are a part of the landscape ecological systems worldwide which provide functional, recreational and aesthetic benefits to society and the environment. In Florida, turfgrasses have become an important crop due to an increased demand for instant turf by many building contractors and their customers (McCarty, 2006). Some estimates indicate the 30-70% of public supplied drinking water use in this State accounts for landscape water use (FDEP, 2002).

It is important to keep in mind that turfgrasses water use varies among both species and cultivars, and any application of water in amounts exceeding turf requirements can be attributed to human factors, not plant needs (Beard and Green, 1994). To preserve water it is important to select the correct turfgrass and landscape plants for any given climate, considering that water availability has become limited and more costly. And most importantly is to know the amount or water required for turfgrasses growth and development (transpiration) plus the amount of water lost from the soil surface (evaporation) (Beard and Kenna, 2008).

The purpose of this web page is to provide supplementary information related to turfgrasses growing in Florida, with emphasis on evapotranspiration and its crop coefficients. The information presented in this web page along with a more extended literature review on turfgrasses entitled "Turfgrass and Ornamental Plant Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficient Literature Review" was supported by funding from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). This review covers information on both cool-season and warm-season turfgrasses in the U.S. as well as additional information on ornamental plants.


Southwest Florida Water Management District