Completed project
State of the art hydro-sprigging technology to expand the Australian turfgrass industry (TU13026)
Publication date: June 27, 2016
Delivery Partner: The University of Queensland
This project developed an innovative hydro-sprigging protocol to provide Australian turf growers with opportunities to improve profitability and contribute to environmental rehabilitation.
Hydro-sprigging is an inexpensive method of delivering grass sprigs (stolons) with a hydraulic pump to large areas of bare soil. The impact of seasonal conditions, planting depth, nutrient levels, fertiliser, water use and plant growth regulators on hydro-sprigging of bermudagrass varieties was investigated.
The research team found that bermudagrass hydro-sprigging was an effective way of rehabilitating land denuded by agriculture, mining, road construction, storm water drainage and flood mitigation. It reduced erosion, siltation and nutrient loads in waterways, offering a good solution for land stabilisation problems in Australia.
Researchers suggested that hydro-sprigging could minimise siltation and nutrient runoff onto the Great Barrier Reef, reducing the environmental impact of agriculture and urbanisation. They recommend using bermudagrasses in key areas to act as a biological filter, particularly to separate sugarcane production from the streams that drain into the Reef.
The research findings, together with knowledge from industry collaborators, were combined into a draft best practice manual for the turf, environmental services and related industries. The team concluded that the technique offers a considerable opportunity for the Australian turf industry.
This project was a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Turf Fund
© 2026 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited.
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