Identification of Low Growing, Salt Tolerant Turfgrass Species Suitable for Use Along Highway Right of Way – Experimental Field Trials

The two-phase study aims to determine the types of grass that will grow along the roads edge when exposed to the environmental conditions of low fertility, high salt, high heat, low water, and high winds. The State Highway Agency (SHA) is looking for grass mixtures that will stay below 18″ in height or are slow to exceed 18″ while still being vigorous growers that can establish and recover from disturbance quickly. The Phase I study (will be completed by the end of 2016) conducted an extensive literature review of over 500 journal articles, white papers, reports, and fact sheets and detailed discussions with turfgrass experts. Twenty-four (24) species were assessed for commercial availability, cost, rate of establishment, ease of maintenance, potential for erosion control, ecosystem benefits, and resilience. The Phase II field tests will use a random block design establish roadside test plots of various grasses and grass mixtures along SHA roadsides in the mountain, piedmont, and coastal plain regions of the state. Grasses selected for testing will be chosen from the list compiled in the Phase I report “A Grade Report for Turfgrasses Suitable for Maryland Right-of-Ways.”

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $279192
• Contract Numbers:

  SP709B4C

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Maryland Department of Transportation

  State Highway Administration, 707 N Calvert Street
  Baltimore, MD  United States  21202
• Project Managers:

  Xiang, Hua

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Maryland, Frostburg

  Center for Environmental Science
  Frostburg, MD  United States  21532
• Principal Investigators:

  Engelhardt, Katharina

• Start Date: 20161213
• Expected Completion Date: 20191231
• Actual Completion Date: 20191217

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Field tests; Grasses; Highway maintenance; Right of way (Land); Roadside; Vegetation control
• Geographic Terms: Maryland
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01618806
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Maryland State Highway Administration
• Contract Numbers: SP709B4C
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 15 2016 3:27PM