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 From the News Desk...Research looks at how fertilizers, rootzones interactA recent study by researchers at the University of Nebraska shed some light on the relationships between fertilizers and rootzones of sand-based putting surfaces. The study was conducted on four bentgrass greens at the university’s John Seaton Anderson Turf Research Facility. It included two rootzone mixtures – the first comprising 80 percent sand, 20 percent peat, the other 80 percent sand, 15 percent peat and 5 percent soil – and two establishment nutritional programs. Establishment treatments included an accelerated program and a controlled method. Principals in the study were Roch Gaussoin, Ph.D., Robert Shearman, Ph.D., Martha Mamo, Ph.D., Charles Wortmann, Ph.D., Gerald Horst, Ph.D., and David Marx, Ph.D., all of the University of Nebraska, and Ty McClellan of the USGA Green Section Mid-Continent Region. Following germination, the accelerated treatment received fertilizer applications weekly at a full rate, while the controlled treatment received applications every two weeks at a half rate. During the establishment year, the accelerated treatment received 2.6, 3 and 2.6 more nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, respectively, than the controlled method plot. The purpose of the study was to characterize soil chemical properties of sand-based greens influenced by rootzone mixture, establishment treatment and putting green age. Chemical analyses were performed for several variables, and s oil samples were taken annually from 1997 to 2000. According to the results, the two mixtures were not significantly different during establishment and beyond. This finding led them to conclude that replacing some peat with soil could help reduce construction costs. Chemical properties that were analyzed included pH; electrical conductivity; soil organic matter; nitrates; Brayl-P; ammonium acetate extractable phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and sodium; calcium phosphate extractable sulfur; extractable zinc, iron, manganese; copper and boron. During the grow-in year, all but five of the chemical properties investigated were significantly greater for the accelerated treatment when compared with the controlled establishment treatment. Establishment treatments did no have an effect on chemical properties beyond the establishment year. |
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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