b"Turfgrass Water2. Sustainability FocusThe TWCA's work aligns with growing environmental con-cerns about water usage, particularly in regions where water Conservationresources are becoming scarcer. Turfgrass, especially in the context of golf courses and home lawns, can be a significant consumer of water. By promoting varieties that require less irrigation, TWCA helps reduce the overall water footprint of the Alliance Advancingturfgrass industry.The program is also relevant for homeowners and municipali-ties, where water restrictions during dry seasons are becoming Sustainable Practicesmore common. TWCA-certified grasses can help homeowners maintain attractive lawns without the need for excessive water-ing, contributing to broader water conservation efforts.for Performance 3. Industry CollaborationThe TWCA is supported by a coalition of turfgrass breeders, researchers, seed companies, and turf managers who are com-mitted to improving the environmental sustainability of turfgrass systems. This collaboration ensures that the research, breeding, Turfgrass breeders and managers,and practical application of water-efficient varieties remain a researchers and seed companies unite forpriority.sustainability. 4. Tangible ImpactAimee Nielson, Seed World U.S. Editor For the golf industry, TWCA-certified varieties are invaluable. Golf courses, which are often under scrutiny for their water usage, benefit from grasses that can reduce irrigation needs while still delivering the performance required for champion-ship play. The certification helps golf course superintendents like THE TURFGRASS WATERConservation Alliance (TWCA)Quail Hollow Clubs Keith Wood make informed decisions about is leading the charge toward more sustainable turfgrasswhich varieties to use, ensuring that their sustainable and high-management by certifying grasses that use significantly lessperforming courses.water while maintaining high performance in terms of playability,In addition to water savings, TWCA-certified varieties often aesthetics and overall health. exhibit other beneficial traits such as better resistance to heat, pests, and diseases, further reducing the need for inputs like pes-Highlights: ticides and fertilizers.1. Comprehensive Testing and Certification TWCA trials are conducted in various locations across the TWCA conducts rigorous, scientifically controlled trials acrossU.S. and Canada to account for different environmental condi-various regions to identify turfgrass varieties that truly excel intions, including soil types, climate, and regional water availabil-water conservation. These trials are often held under rainoutity. The goal is to provide data that can be generalized across shelters, which are structures designed to simulate droughtdiverse growing conditions, ensuring that TWCA-certified conditions by preventing rainfall from reaching the test plots. Bygrasses can perform well in a variety of settings, from residential withholding water, researchers can measure the ability of differ- lawns to professional sports fields and golf courses.ent grasses to maintain green coverage, withstand drought, andThe research results not only benefit the turfgrass industry recover after re-watering. but also influence policy and standards for water conservation in During these trials, the grasses are monitored through alandscaping and urban planning. By creating a reliable certifica-process that includes digital imaging and software analysis totion system, TWCA contributes to setting benchmarks for water-quantify how much green remains in the turf under stress. Thisefficient turfgrass in public and private spaces.ensures that the certification process is both data-driven andThe TWCA represents a major step forward in sustainable objective. Only varieties that demonstrate superior droughtturfgrass management, particularly in addressing the global chal-tolerance and recovery across multiple locations and seasons arelenge of water scarcity. By identifying and promoting grasses awarded the TWCA certification. that require less water, it helps create a more sustainable future for the turfgrass industry while supporting environmental stew-ardship.SW16/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2024"