Fairway Sand-Capping and Subsoil Influences on Tifway Bermudagrass Drought Resistance and Recovery Following a 60-Day Dry-Down.

Sand capping golf course areas has gained popularity in recent years, especially on fairways. The trend has been driven by the need for improved turfgrass growing and playing conditions, especially in areas where low quality irrigation water and/or fine textured native soils exist. Sand capping can add significant expense to a construction/renovation budget, and therefore, less than optimal depths of sand are often used. While no specifications currently exist for specific depth or particle size distribution of capping sands, the recommended depth should be contingent on the properties of the sand being used and on environmental conditions such as rainfall and evaporation rates, providing a balance of water to air filled porosity for growth of grass. A 3-year project evaluated ‘Tifway’ bermudagrass performance and rooting characteristics under four capping depths (0, 2, 4, and 8 inches) atop two subsoils (clay and sandy loam). The sand capping x subsoil treatments were managed under two irrigation levels during the study to better understand effects on irrigation requirements and water relations in soils. During the final year, a 60-day drought was imposed on plots. Turf responses during and recovery time following the drought period were significantly impacted by both capping depth and subsoil influences.