Monday, 6 October 2008: 1:30 PM

George R. Brown Convention Center, 382AB

Charles Schmid, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 373 PS Hall, Agronomy Dep., Lincoln, NE 68583, Roch Gaussoin, 362 Plant Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Dept. of Agronomy & Horticulture, Lincoln, NE 68583-0915, Robert Shearman, PO Box 830724, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Dept. of Horticulture, 377 Plant Sciences, Lincoln, NE 68583-0724, Martha Mamo, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska, 279 Plant Science, Lincoln, NE 68583 and Charles Wortmann, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 279 Plant Science, Lincoln, NE 68506

Organic matter (OM) accumulation in putting greens has been a concern since the innovation of sand-based greens. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine if hollow tine is more effective than solid tine aerification at managing organic matter accumulation, (2) to determine if less invasive cultivation (LIC) methods are effective at managing OM accumulation. The study was conducted on research plots seeded with ‘L-93’ creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) that was constructed 8 and 11 years prior. Root zones were sampled from the mat to three inches in depth, and then analyzed for organic matter content using loss on ignition (LOI). Single-ring infiltrometers were used to determine infiltration rates. Soil compaction and soil firmness were tested using a soil compaction meter and a Clegg Hammer. The study was analyzed as a 3 x 5 factorial at two locations with aerification as main plots and LIC as sub-plots. Aerfication was either hollow tine, solid tine or no aerification treatment and LIC treatments were Hydroject™, PlanetAir™, quad needle tine, bayonet tine, or no LIC treatment. Treatment differences were separated by Fisher’s protected least significant difference when F tests were significant at P ≤ 0.05. Data from the first year showed there is no difference in OM accumulation between hollow tine and solid tine aerification, but both treatments accumulated less OM then no aerfication. No differences in OM accumulation were observed among LIC methods. Hydroject™ and needle tine treatments had higher infiltration rates compared to other LIC treatments regardless of the aerification treatments.

See more of: Graduate Student Oral Competition: Soils and Water
See more of: C05 Turfgrass Science

2008 Joint Annual Meeting (5-9 Oct. 2008): Cultivation Effects on Organic Matter Accumulation in Creeping Bentgrass Putting Greens.

563-3 Cultivation Effects on Organic Matter Accumulation in Creeping Bentgrass Putting Greens.