230-2 The Effects of Sod Planting Method and Cultural Practices for Sports Turf.



Tuesday, October 18, 2011: 8:10 AM
Henry Gonzalez Convention Center, Room 008B, River Level

Joshua Anderson1, Douglas Karcher1 and Michael Richardson2, (1)University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
(2)316 Plant Sci Bldg, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
The intense use of sports fields and golf tees increases traffic and wear, which necessitates the reestablishment of worn areas.  Resurfacing with sod is the quickest way to recover such areas to a safe and playable form.  However, the rootzone brought in with the new sod often does not match the rootzone of the existing playing surface and layering can occur, which can be particularly problematic in sand-based rootzones.  Layering can restrict water and airflow, which in turn can affect physical properties of the sod and rootzone.  Alternative planting methods such as washing or core aerifying the sod prior to establishment along with post aerification and topdressing may enhance physical properties of sod such as sheer strength and root mass as well as improve physical properties of the rootzone such as infiltration and soil moisture.
See more from this Division: C05 Turfgrass Science
See more from this Session: Student Oral Competition: Establishment and Thatch, Soil, & Water Management of Turfgrass