Light Weight Roller Technology Impacts on Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Putting Greens.

Recently, lightweight rolling has become a popular putting green management tool in Northern environments.  Reported benefits include a firmer/smoother putting surface, reduced disease incidence, improved topdressing incorporation, and decreased insect activity.  However, no research exists examining the impacts of rolling on bermudagrass putting green species.  Therefore, the research objective was to determine how to best incorporate lightweight roller technology into a bermudagrass greens management program to maximize playability and plant health.  Research was conducted from 1 June 2015 to 31 August 2015 at the R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS on a USGA sand-based ultradwarf bermudagrass putting green (cultivar: Champion).  This study will be repeated in 2016.  Treatments included mowing height (3.2 and 4.0 mm), mowing frequency (3 and 5 days per week), and rolling frequency (0, 1, 3, and 5 days per week).  Data collection included ball roll, bulk density, normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI), and total shoot chlorophyll.  At the end of the study, rolling five times per week increased chlorophyll concentration 15% and ball roll 12% compared to no rolling.  Regarding NDVI and bulk density, no significant differences were noted indicated that rolling did not impact visual quality or soil physical properties.  In summary, to maximize plant health and playability, results suggest incorporating rolling into a bermudagrass greens management program at least 3 times per week.