Turfgrass species: Tour: Management Programs and Site Environments

management Light Quantity

Turf Species Grown in Full Sunlight | Turf Species Grown in Partial Shade

Both the quantity and quality of light received by the turfgrass surface can have a strong influence on the development and usefulness of the turf. While there are many different combination of light intensity and quality or spectrum of colors received by the turf, for most practical purposes, turfgrass species can bee divided into two major groups.

The first group are those species which are adapted only to full sun. This is where little solar radiation is intercepted by a barrier above the turf throughout the light portion of the day.

In contrast, many species are adapted to both full sun and partial shading. While there is varying degrees of tolerance to low or poor quality light levels, the species listed under the partial shade group have all shown some degree of adaptation.

To proceed, click on either full sun or partial shade to view the species which are best adapted to either light situation.