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 From the News Desk...Study: Verticutting best practice for Bermuda greensAccumulation of organic matter on putting greens can expedite turfgrass failure, especially during environmentally stressful periods. Thus reducing thatch and organic matter in putting greens is a useful tool in every superintendent’s arsenal of management practices. A recent study conducted at the University of Florida reveals that verticutting was the most effective cultural practice for removing thatch from USGA spec Bermudagrass greens. Verticutting three times per year, according to the study, produced the highest turf quality, firmest putting surface, least incidence of scalping and least localized dry spots. According to the research, other cultural practices, including hollow tine aerification (one, two and three times per year) and solid tine aerification five times per year were effective at reducing thatch as well. However, the researchers concluded that verticutting provided the best overall results. The study also indicated that TifEagle had higher turf quality ratings than Champion when subjected to these cultural practices. The study was conducted by George Snyder, Ph.D., professor emeritus of soil and water science, J.B. Sartain, Ph.D., professor of soil fertility and turfgrass nutrition, Alan Wright, Ph.D., assistant professor of soil and water quality, and doctoral student John Rowland. The results of the study appeared earlier this year in "Agronomy Journal." Their work was conducted in 2007 and 2008 on Champion and TifEagle plots at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services Research and Education Center in Davie. After solid tine and hollow tine aerification, all holes were filled with USGA spec silica sand. Likewise, all grooves created through verticutting also were filled with sand. Turfgrass quality results were measured on five dates in 2007 (July 5, July 12, Oct. 5, Oct. 12 and Nov. 16) and four dates in 2008 (July 4, July 11, July 18 and July 25). Verticutting provided the highest turfgrass quality ratings across all five collection dates in the first year of the study – registering 7.8, 7.9, 7.7, 7.9 and 7.5 on a 1-10 scale with 10 being the highest. Hollow tine aerification twice per year (7.4, 7.2, 7.5, 7.5, 7.2) and three times per year (7.4, 7.4, 7.5, 7.5, 7.0) was next. The control plot (7.2, 7.2, 7.5, 7.5, 7.2) performed better than the plots exposed to solid tine aerification (6.4, 6.4, 7.5, 7.5, 7.2). Verticutting also yielded the greatest rootweight measured at a depth of 15 cm in both years of the study (8.7 in 2007 and 17.1 in 2008). The closest competitor was the control plot in 2007 (7.5) and hollow tine aerification two times per year in 2008 (15.8). Root weight as a result of verticutting was 21 percent and 19 percent higher than when using hollow tine aerification three times per year and 38 percent and 32 percent higher than solid tine aerification root weight. The verticut plots showed the least incidence of localized dry spot, with 1.5 symptoms in 2007 and 2.1 in 2008. Plots aerified three times per year with hollow tines showed the most incidences of localized dry spot, with 6.3 symptoms the first year and 5.9 in 2008. Finally, the research showed that all cultural practices resulted in a constant decline of organic matter at the surface, although there was no statistical significance between treatments. Verticutting did not reduce soil organic matter (the other cultural practices did), still it was judged as the best overall treatment when seeking to produce firm putting surfaces with a dark green color, with reduced surface organic matter, reduced incidence for scalping and localized dry spot, and increased root weight. An aggressive program, such as the three-times-per-year performed in Florida can help reduce the need for a greens rebuild project. |
In other news... Study examines spring pre-stress fertility programs Research finds no correlation between biostimulant applications before spring core cultivation and recovery. Posted: 09/02/2010 Read more » Aquatrols, TurfNet present Water Week The series of five Webinars is aimed at helping superintendents manage water and soils more efficiently. Posted: 09/01/2010 Read more » News and people briefs Registration opens soon for Irrigation Show, Briggs & Stratton elects new chairman, FMC taps new director for professional solutions division Posted: 09/01/2010 Read more » GCSAA selects firm in search for new CEO Kansas City-based company will open search process for Mark Woodward's successor in October. Posted: 08/31/2010 Read more » Water foul! Research shows that droppings from non-migratory geese on turf can result in nitrogen runoff into adjacent bodies of water. Posted: 08/26/2010 Read more » Complete news index » |
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