Bermuda grass could answer long-term drought doubt

Bermuda grass could answer long-term drought doubt

By John Hollenhorst

October 13th, 2014 @ 5:50pm

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."

He thinks it could be part of the answer to long-term worries about drought.

Senior Crew Lead for the University of Utah, Lorenzo Lopez, said Bermuda grass uses dramatically less water and thrives in many areas where other grasses dont.

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

But Lopez is not allowed to do it.

Lorenzo Lopez's lawn crews can't even experiment with Bermuda grass. The state long ago declared it an enemy in the war on weeds.

Rich Riding, Noxious Weed Program Manager with the Utah Department of Agriculture said the plant is a threat.

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Bermuda grass could answer long-term drought doubt