Aims: This study evaluated the effects of five Zeolite application rates on soil physical and chemical properties, irrigation water requirements, water use efficiency (WUE), and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) growth under sports field conditions in southern Iraq.
Materials & Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2026 at Basrah Sports City using five Zeolite rates (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 t ha⁻¹) in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). We scheduled irrigation using a POGO TurfPro soil-moisture sensor calibrated against the standard gravimetric method to maintain soil moisture at field capacity. We measured soil electrical conductivity (EC), bulk density (BD), applied irrigation water (AIW), plant height (PH), root dry biomass (RDB), relative water content (RWC), shoot dry biomass (SDB), and WUE.
Findings: Zeolite significantly increased EC from 0.35 to 0.46 dS.m⁻¹, while values remained non-saline. At 20 t.ha-¹ Zeolite application, AIW decreased by 7.2%, whereas PH increased from 17.50 to 21.25 cm (21.42%). RDB increased from 120.53 to 242.45 g.m⁻² (101.15%), RWC increased from 72.60% to 82.37% (13.46%), and SDB increased from 139.95 to 163.73 g.m⁻2 (16.98%). WUE reached 0.373 g.L⁻¹, a 26.02% improvement over the control.
Conclusion: Zeolite amendment shows promise for improving soil-water management and irrigation efficiency in sandy sports-field soils, particularly when combined with soil-moisture monitoring, while supporting bermudagrass growth in southern Iraq. However, long-term studies are needed to determine optimal application rates and effects on turf quality, costs, and year-round performance.