Quest for green, green grass of home
Research facility set up to test for hardier species to be used here
April Chong, Straits Times 29 Oct 09;
THE grass may be greener on this side if the National Parks Board's (NParks) plan to develop new lawns takes root.
The ubiquitous cow grass that covers about half the Republic's green spaces gets trampled too easily and does not tolerate shade well, said Dr Kenneth Marcum, a senior researcher at NPark's Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (Cuge). The high rainfall here also adds to waterlogging woes.
But a new $100,000 research facility is set to find a green solution to the bare muddy patches that commonly turn up in grassy areas.
The 1,200 sq m facility located at HortPark, off Alexandra Road, will study a dozen species of grasses and different soil types.
The grasses will be subjected to all manner of tests, simulating conditions such as being trampled on, their response to light and shade and how well they deal with being waterlogged from heavy downpours.
Research results are expected within a year.
Said Dr Tan Puay Yok, deputy director of Cuge Research: 'We want to encourage the use of lawns in parks...Instead of sitting on a lawn that is wet or worn out, the landscape will be more inviting to use.'
Dr Marcum said that aesthetics and usability aside, grass has been shown to clean the air, absorb dust, filter water runoff and reduce ambient temperature.
While typical cow grass is easy to maintain and has been in use here since colonial times, it thins out easily after being trampled upon and forms muddy patches, he said.
Said 22-year-old student Jane Lee, who often goes on picnics: 'Sometimes when you want to put your mat under the tree, you find that there is no grass there and it is wet.'
A Landscape Industry Association spokesman said: 'If the species of grass is more hardy and can withstand different conditions, it will definitely be beneficial. If the grass dies too fast, we will have to spend more money replacing it and it is not cost-efficient.'
Besides improving the turf areas under its management, Cuge will share the findings with town councils and the Singapore Sports Council.
There is no plan to replace every blade of cow grass here, but new construction projects or turf grass due for replacement can adopt the new grass varieties, said Dr Tan.
The board is also organising a two-day international turf grass seminar, which starts today. Sixty participants from eight countries will share information on current trends and innovations in managing green spaces.
A memorandum of understanding will be signed with the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries in Australia to work on projects involving urban landscapes and turf management in both places.
A tougher turf breed?
Today Online 29 Oct 09;
SINGAPORE - The grass will get greener, and sturdier.
Twelve different varieties of turfgrass (picture) are being studied at the HortPark - in the first such research programme here by the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology - to see if they are suitable for our climate.
Almost all parks and streetscapes here are currently planted with cowgrass, which is easily maintained but does not stand up to extensive foot traffic and trampling. High rainfall and temperatures have also led to barren patches and waterlogging.
The new varieties being tested are lusher in colour and have greater trampling tolerance.
The National Parks Board will share the findings with the likes of Town Councils and the Singapore Sports Council. 938LIVE
Greener, lusher species of turfgrasses being tested - NParks sets up new turfgrass research facility at HortPark
NParks media release 28 Oct 09;
Singapore, 28 October 2009 - Twelve different species and new varieties of turfgrasses are undergoing research at a new facility at HortPark, the gardening hub. The first such research programme in Singapore, this aims to investigate new types of turfgrasses and their planting conditions to assess if they could be implemented in our tropical climate.
This research programme is carried out by the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE), an initiative by the National Parks Board (NParks), as a regional centre of excellence to advance urban and green living environment. CUGE is also a one-stop training and knowledge hub in urban greenery and ecology, offering a comprehensive range of skills training programmes for all levels of the landscape industry workforce
Turfgrass is a key component of our Garden City since it is the most extensive plant type used in Singapore. It also has many environmental benefits as it reduces ambient temperatures, controls soil erosion, and cleans water run-off.
Currently, almost all parks and streetscapes in Singapore are planted with cowgrass (Axonopus compressus) as it is easily maintained. However, cowgrass does not stand up to extensive foot traffic and trampling. In addition, Singapore's high rainfall and high temperature have posed challenges such as wet soils, which result in soil compaction, barren areas, loss of drainage and waterlogging. Another issue is shade, as turfgrasses are generally planted beneath trees and buildings. This results in thin turf, which is further exacerbated by trampling.
Besides using the results for turf areas under its management, NParks will be sharing research findings with other organisations, such as Town Councils and Singapore Sports Council so as to improve the quality of green spaces in parks and other public areas.
Mr P Teva Raj, Director (Industry/CUGE) of NParks, said, "This research programme is part of ongoing efforts by NParks to develop new and sustainable frontiers in urban greenery and ecology. Currently, turfgrass research has been underway for a number of years in temperate regions of the world, but not in tropical areas such as Singapore. With our living environment becoming denser, it is essential for us to embark on such research programmes so that we can realise Singapore's vision of being a 'City in a Garden'."
A new generation of turfgrass varieties will be tested for adaptability to Singapore's tropical climate. They are native to Southeast Asia and may be more suited to local use because they have dense, fine leaves, lusher colour and greater trampling tolerance. They include the native Zoysias, which include species Matrella, Tenuifolia, and Japonica. Other important species tested include Paspalum, Stenotaphrum (St. Augustine grass), Eremochloa (centipede grass), native Digitaria (serangoon grass), and Axonopus (carpet grasses and cowgrasses).
First international Turfgrass Seminar
In line with above efforts, NParks is organising the first international turfgrass seminar on 29-30 October at HortPark, in line with Clean and Green Singapore this year. About 60 participants from eight countries will be participating. Speakers from Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and United States will also be sharing their knowledge of current trends and innovations, and challenges involved in managing community green spaces with participants.
Among the speakers is Professor M.C. Engelke, a leading authority in the world on tropical grass research. His contributions to turfgrass breeding, development and management are well known internationally. He has published hundreds of publications and developed numerous new turfgrass cultivars (a particular kind of a plant that is being cultivated) worldwide.
NParks signs MOU with QPIF Centre in Australia
NParks has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF) of Brisbane, Australia to work in closer collaboration on research and development pertaining to urban greening and sustainable turf management.
Other collaborations include management of greenery in public open spaces, development of skyrise greenery such as green roofs and green walls; and investigating into the benefits of urban greening, such as reducing the build-up of heat in urbanised areas and improvement in air quality.
Through this MOU, NParks and QPIF aim to develop close collaboration and leverage each other's strengths, expertise and resources to develop applications that are relevant and useful to both parties. This will shorten the learning process, and also help achieve the aim of CUGE as the regional platform for the development and exchange of knowledge on urban greenery and ecology.
New landscape standards for industry
CUGE is also rolling out a series of written guidelines for adoption in the landscape and horticulture industry, in areas such as planting media, skyrise greenery and landscape design and turfgrass. The first two standards to be launched are specifications on Soils for General Landscaping Use and Specifications for Composts and Mulches.
They are crafted through consultation with relevant bodies such as Singapore Institute of Landscape Architect, Landscape Industry Association of Singapore, and Workplace Safety and Health Council and part of NParks' efforts to further professionalise Singapore's landscape industry. These standards would be incorporated into NParks' landscaping contracts.
