Iran and World

UC Riverside turfgrass specialist Jim Baird is experimenting with drought-tolerant grass. He hopes his water-wise prototypes will grow up to be the lawns, parks, golf courses and athletic fields of the future. "My colleagues say I'm crazy," he said. "But it doesn't hurt to dream." (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times / August 20, 2009)

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Photo: Mean and green prototype

By Karen Kaplan

September 28, 2009

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In a parched experimental plot at the edge of UC Riverside, several dozen mounds of grass poke out of the powdery soil.

These plants have the soft, narrow leaf blades and dark-gr

Turf scientists on a quest to engineer a superlawn

The goal: Grass that's drought-proof, pest-resistant, oh, and a nice shade of green. It's a tall order, but the need is great as water becomes increasingly scarce.

Turf scientists on a quest to engineer a superlawn

The goal: Grass that&apos;s drought-proof, pest-resistant, oh, and a nice shade of green. It&apos;s a tall order, but the need is great as water becomes increasingly scarce.

The goal: Grass that's drought-proof, pest-resistant, oh, and a nice shade of green. It's a tall order, but the need is great as water becomes increasingly scarce.