GROWTH POTENTIAL OR NOT?

摘要

For me, how the timing of certain treatments, such as nitrogen application, has always been the most interesting theme when it comes to growth potential (GP). The model used to predict growth potential is based on temperature only, with an optimum ofeither 18 or 20 Celsius used to benchmark against actual temperatures. Scales of 0-1 or 0-100 are used with the higher value being the optimum, although 50-100% is acknowledged as appropriate for application of nitrogen. Under the optimum temperature, original designers of the model (Gelernter and Stowed) declare that the turf is growing so actively that it can stave off stressors such as mild diseases, aggressive aeration treatments or heavy traffic. The model allowed them to develop GP graphs for locations around the world based on the average monthly air temperatures. Applying the model, a London location is estimated to offer a growth potential of 1% in January and 82% in July.