State of the art hydro-sprigging technology to expand the Australian turfgrass industry (TU13026)

What was it all about?

This project developed an innovative hydro-sprigging protocol to provide Australian turf growers with opportunities to improve profitability and contribute to environmental rehabilitation.

Hydro-sprigging is an inexpensive method of delivering grass sprigs (stolons) with a hydraulic pump to large areas of bare soil. The impact of seasonal conditions, planting depth, nutrient levels, fertiliser, water use and plant growth regulators on hydro-sprigging of bermudagrass varieties was investigated.

The research team found that bermudagrass hydro-sprigging was an effective way of rehabilitating land denuded by agriculture, mining, road construction, storm water drainage and flood mitigation. It reduced erosion, siltation and nutrient loads in waterways, offering a good solution for land stabilisation problems in Australia.

Researchers suggested that hydro-sprigging could minimise siltation and nutrient runoff onto the Great Barrier Reef, reducing the environmental impact of agriculture and urbanisation. They recommend using bermudagrasses in key areas to act as a biological filter, particularly to separate sugarcane production from the streams that drain into the Reef.

The research findings, together with knowledge from industry collaborators, were combined into a draft best practice manual for the turf, environmental services and related industries. The team concluded that the technique offers a considerable opportunity for the Australian turf industry.