Studies of Drouth Tolerance and Water Use of Several Southern Grasses1

Synopsis Coastal and Suwannee Bermudagrasses were more drouth tolerant, more efficient in water use, and more dependable from year to year as evidenced by much lower wet‐year/dry‐year yield ratios than common Bermudagrass, Pensacola Bahiagrass, and Pangolagrass. Fertilization increased the water‐use efficiency of these five grasses. Three grasses required fewer roots to supply their nutrient needs than their water requirements. A greenhouse drouth‐tolerance test applied to six grasses was well correlated with field results.