Saving water is our social obligation

Water of good quality is our most valuable asset on earth. In our modern society, we wouldn’t be able to survive a single day without water. This is something of which we at Barenbrug are acutely aware. Water is for drinking, that’s absolutely essential. Without drinking water, there would be no life on earth. Water is also important for irrigation, but this can be restricted to a certain extent. 

 

The past decade our weather conditions have become increasingly extreme. Periods of extreme rain were succeeded by periods of extreme drought. Grass plants need water for optimum germination, establishment and growth. The varying weather conditions consequently also led to more stringent requirements with respect to the properties of grass.

 

Water of high quality is a scarce commodity that cannot be taken for granted. Water that must be of top quality involves high costs. That’s why water is one of Barenbrug Research & Development’s key concerns. We have developed new grass varieties and products that tolerate heat and drought without requiring large amounts of water.

 

What makes Water Saver so unique?

Many grass mixtures available on the market contain the same components as Barenbrug’s Water Saver: tall fescue, smooth stalked meadow grass and/or perennial ryegrass. Almost all those mixtures contain randomly chosen varieties of these grass species. However, many years’ research carried out by Landlab in Italy has shown that a mixture’s specific varietal composition does actually influence the quality of the grass! The combination of smooth stalkedmeadow grass, tall fescue and perennial ryegrass results in a sward of high quality that tolerates drought and heat well in summer, helps the weaker tall fescue survive the winter and ensures early growth in spring. Thanks to the perennial ryegrass, the grass soon establishes after seeding, while offering plenty of room for the slower smooth stalked meadow grass and tall fescue.

 

Deep rooting

Thanks to its deep rooting, the Water Saver grass obtains water from deeper soil layers.
Standard grass plants root less deep and can only obtain water from the top layer (the upper 10 to 15 cm). Such plants will soon die under dry conditions, even before a stage of extreme drought is reached. The tall fescue contained in Water Saver can root to depths of more than 60 cm and stores water and nutrients (sugars) in its roots, creating a buffer for dry periods, as it were. Smooth stalked meadow grass ensures horizontal growth, resulting in an extensive network of underground rhizomes and roots.

 

 

Water & cost savings
Water Saver can help you save up to 70% on your total amount of irrigation water. In Italy, where the average consumption is 120 litres of water per m2 per month, this soon leads to an overall reduction of 0.70 x 600 litres = 420 litres per m2 in the growing season, which ranges from May until October. That corresponds to 42 m3 water per 100 m2! In euros the savings may amount to € 73.50 per 100 m2, depending on the region.

 

 

Green Earth label

Economically and ecologically sound use and management of grass are primary concerns in Barenbrug’s product-development efforts. With its Green Earth quality label, Barenbrug helps green space managers to achieve a more sustainable use and management of grass. Extensive research and many years’ experience grant Barenbrug unique knowledge of which cultivars and mixtures can ensure sustainable use and management of grass.

 

More about the Green Earth label or about sustainability, click here!

 

 

 

Click here for more information about 
Water Saver in lawns.

 

 

 

 

 

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