CORE AERATION PROGRAMS AND SAND TOPDRESSING IMPROVE CREEPING BENTGRASS FAIRWAYS

摘要

The practicality of including topdressing and core aeration in turfgrass management program for large areas such as golf fairways has not been fully addressed.The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of topdressing (rate and application timing) and hollow tine cultivation (HTC) on soil physical properties on two golf course fairways.The topdressing treatments were: 1) 6.4 mm topdressing in the fall,2) 3.2 mm topdressing in the spring and fall for an annual rate of 6.4 mm,and 3) an untreated control.The six HTC treatments were: 1) spring 1HTC,2) spring 2HTC,3) fall 1HTC,4) fall 2HTC,5) spring 1HTC/fall 1HTC and 6) an untreated control.This two-year field study was conducted at Ames,IA,and Fargo,ND on established creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.).Topdressing treatments decreased soil bulk density at IA site on all dates of measurement ranging from 0.05 to 0.08 g cm-3.The effect of topdressing was not consistent at ND site.The HTC treatments that did not include a fall application increased soil bulk density by 0.06 g cm-3 compared to the control at the end of study at IA site.All HTC treatments decreased soil bulk density compared to the control at ND site ranging from 0.02 to 0.06 g cm-3.Water infiltration rates were increased by topdressing but not by HTC.Soil saturated water conductivity at 2.9 cm below the surface was increased by HTC.Therefore,to improve soil water movement,both topdressing and core aeration are necessary and the results may vary by soil texture.