Avoiding Degradation of Road Shoulder Asphalt Due to Turfgrass Encroachment

Engelke, M. C.; Riffell, S.K.; Marcum, K.B.

i

Avoiding Degradation of Road Shoulder Asphalt Due to Turfgrass Encroachment

1995-07-01
By Engelke, M. C. ; Riffell, S.K. ; Marcum, K.B.

File Language:

English

Details

Creators:

Engelke, M. C. ; Riffell, S.K. ; Marcum, K.B.
Corporate Creators:

Texas Transportation Institute. Texas A&M University
Corporate Contributors:

Texas. Department of Highways and Public Transportation. Research and Technology Transfer Office ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:
Publication/ Report Number:

TX-95/l903-2F
Resource Type:

Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:

Texas ; United States
Edition:

Final Report: December 1992-December 1994
Corporate Publisher:

Texas Transportation Institute. Texas A&M University
Abstract:

Bermuda grass is widely used to stabilize road shoulders. However, the invasive rhizomes of bermudagrass often penetrate the asphalt causing severe deterioration. To avoid expensive and time-consuming repairs, herbicides are used to retard the growth of bermudagrass, but frequent applications are expensive and are subject to ever increasing regulations. To identify suitable alternatives to bermudagrass, we planted four turfgrasses adjacent to an asphalt road. We evaluated competitive ability, overall turf performance and changes in asphalt integrity. Both St. Augustine grass and bermudagrass caused substantial deterioration of the asphalt. Buffalo grass caused little or no asphalt deterioration and was a very strong competitor in the roadside environment. Use of buffalo grass instead of bermudagrass would not only save valuable time and resources, but would also avoid controversial input of chemicals into the environment.
Format:

PDF
Funding:

7-1903
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/83072/dot_83072_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 705.38 KB]
Collection(s):

US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:62af57260f901fc7dcf4c102dab89440a8997236aa4ae714cd10acc12d011f790ee4fb318d0e7bdb51693f46d951b12a1dd831a403525d160b130b5962a3f958

File Language:

English

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