Ras Al Khaimah adopts new water saving techniques

Hydroturf International, the project Management Company heading the golf course development, is working with a soil expert from the University of Georgia, USA, Professor Ronny Duncan to provide a tailor-made solution that will maximize cost savings and minimize environmental damage.

"We have recommended a type of turf, called Paspalum grass, which can tolerate high stress environments." stated Professor Ronny Duncan, University of Georgia, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. He also added, " We will be able to irrigate turf-based locations with the waste water which is currently being run-off in the neighboring wadi's, therefore saving the cost of providing regular water."

Additionally, the saline water used for the irrigation acts as a natural pesticide, thereby providing both cost and environmental savings. Another saving made by using Paspalum grass, is that it reduces the level of fertilizer usage, as it requires fifty per cent less fertilizer than other grass varieties. These savings in chemical usage alone will diminish the adverse impact on the environment.

In hot and dry environments such as United Arab Emirates, water is a precious commodity. "Many projects, which were halted due to the high costs of irrigation, have now become economically feasible using this new variety of grass" stated Colin Baxter, Managing Director, Hydroturf International.

Along with Hydroturf International, the government of Ras Al Khaimah was committed to carefully researching and sourcing the best for the new golf course. "The usage of Paspalum on the new golf course falls both in line with the Emirate's aim to adopt the latest cost-effective methods whilst conserving the environment" said Sheikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Chairman of General Accounts, Ras Al Khaimah Government.

Built at the head of the lagoon and subject to tidal changes, the golf course with the new grass application will remain green. The Paspalum plant endures wet boggy areas and has the resilience to survive underwater for several days.

"In the U.S., we have been able to use water directly from the Gulf of Mexico to irrigate a golf course in Naples, Florida" said Professor Duncan. "With any other species of grass this would have been impossible" he added. Professor Duncan has spent 10 years researching this new variety at the University of Georgia, which has dedicated a department to soil and crop studies.