Identification of low growing, salt tolerant turfgrass species suitable for use along highway right of way.

PDFTech ReportMD-16-SHA-UMCES-6-3SP509B4EGrassesRight of way (Land)Access control (Transportation)Roadside floraTurfMarylandMaryland. State Highway Administration. Office of Policy & ResearchEngelhardt, Katharina, A. M.Hawkins, KaraUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Appalachian LaboratoryMaryland. State Highway Administration. Office of Policy & ResearchUS Transportation CollectionKatharina, A. M. Engelhardt orcid.org/0000-0002-9185-4292Roadsides are managed as mowed turfgrass to prevent erosion, maintain visibility, provide a safety zonefor stopped vehicles, and improve aesthetics. Roadside vegetation often needs to be mowed several timeseach growing season, and in addition to its cost mowing exposes workers to traffic and other hazards,discharges tailpipe gases, and disturbs soil. This study explored the efficacy of using commerciallyavailablegrass species that may reduce maintenance costs, yet still provide economic and ecologicalservices such as fast establishment, erosion control, ecosystem benefits, and resilience. A literature reviewof over 500 journal articles, white papers, reports, and fact sheets and discussions with turfgrass expertsproduced a list of over 100 graminoid species. A trait-based approach was then used to select a subset ofspecies for evaluation. The final selection included 21 species and cultivars. Each species was given anoverall grade (A=Excellent, B=Good, C=Fair, D=Poor, and F=Very poor) reflecting six economic andecological services. Maryland's standard roadside seed tall fescue received a grade below the median grade.Fine fescues ranked higher than tall fescue owing to lower stature and generally higher resilience. Thenative grass species Sporobolus, side-oats grama, and purple lovegrass received excellent grades (A or A-)and should be further studied as alternatives to tall fescue. Species that are not recommended for roadsidesinclude Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, prairie junegrass, alkaligrass, and zoysia