ALM Note: Rootzone depth + water conservation

Regardless of water restrictions, responsible management in this dry part of the world requires us to maximise the rootzone depth of plants and irrigate using water budgets and current conditions.

Increasing rootzone depth will increase the interval between irrigation events and maximise the probability of rainfall which will reduce overall irrigation requirements.

Soil and vegetation management is the key. Maintain plant health, add organic matter to soils where appropriate, aerate turf soils, cut turf at increased heights to maximise rootzone depth.
In July, a cool season turf with a 50mm rootzone will require irrigation every 10 days. If the rootzone was 75mm, 14 days, 100mm 19 days. Clearly providing increased probability that these irrigations will not be required as top up rainfall occurs (18mm, 27mm and 36mm respectively).