'Noxious weed' could be answer to long-term drought, lawn expert says

Crews at the University of Utah are using bluegrass seeds to cover a brown patch, but it's not the kind of grass the university's chief lawn keeper would prefer. He said Bermuda grass would be better because it uses less water, but that the state considers it a "noxious weed."

John Hollenhorst, Deseret News

Enlarge photo

SALT LAKE CITY The man in charge of keeping the campus green at the University of Utah is calling for the state to lift its ban on a so-called "noxious weed."

Lorenzo Lopez said he believes it could be part of the answer to long-term worries about drought.

Bermuda grass uses dramatically less water and thrives in many areas where other grasses dont, said Lopez, senior crew lead for the University of Utah.

"This could be a great opportunity for Bermuda grass, he said. I think it's one of the answers. It's not the complete answer.

But Lopez is not allowed to do it. His lawn crews can't even experiment with Bermuda grass. The state long ago declared it an enemy in the war on weeds.

"This weed is one that we've looked at, and we've decided that it really poses a threat to the state, said Rich Riding, noxious weed program manager with the Utah Department of Agriculture.

Riding said Bermuda grass is way too aggressive, choking out nearby lawns and farm crops.

Read more here:
'Noxious weed' could be answer to long-term drought, lawn expert says