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| Publication Type:
| Report |
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| Author(s): | Adams, W. A.;
Saxon, C. |
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| Author Affiliation: | Soil Science Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Agricultural Biochemistry, University College of Wales, UK |
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| Title: | The occurrence and control of thatch in sportsturf |
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| Source: | Rasen, Grünflächen, Begrünungen. Vol. 10, No. 3, September/October 1979, p. 75-83. |
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| Publishing Information: | Bonn-Bad godesberg, Hortus Verlag |
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| # of Pages: | 15 |
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| Keywords: | TIC Keywords: Thatch; Earthworm castings; Sports turf; Earthworm control
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| Abstract/Contents: | "The development of thatch, a surface accumulation of plant residues at various stages of humification, is an inevitable trend in turf on soils containing very few or no casting earthworms. Thatch creates a number of problems particularly relevant to turf used for sport. These include: efficient water retention resulting in increased frequency of waterlogging at the surface; the development of a hydrophobic character when dry, producing persistent resistance and excessive sponginess with deep thatch accumulation. The amount of dead plant material deposited on or near the turf surface is unlikely to be greatly influenced by either nutrition or mowing conditions provided clippings are removed, but low levels of nutrition may increase resistance of plant residues to decomposition. Although failure to remove clippings increases residue input, leaf tissue is more susceptible to decomposition than either stem or root tissue. A range of cultivation techniques is available to counter the ill effects of thatch accumulation by improving aeration and relieving compaction of the underlying mineral soil. It is also possible to remove at least part of an accumulated thatch layer. No means of directly increasing thatch breakdown by chemical additives has been demonstrated to be of practical value. Cultural and cultivation techniques have either no or very little effect on the trend of thatch development in earthworm-free turf. Thatch is essentially a surface phenomenon and the use of mineral or mineral/organic topdressings constitutes the only long-term method of controlling the organic matter status of the surface, although this must be allied to other cultural practices. The particle size distribution, organic matter content, frequency, mode and rate of topdressing application, are all important considerations. It is contended that the level of topdressing applications can be calculated from a knowledge of the input of plant residues at the surface and their rate of humification together with an accepted target value for organic matter status at the surface. Calculations indicate topdressing applications in the range 1.7 - 3.5 kg m-2 annum-1 are needed for topdressings with organic matter contents in the range 0 - 5% to maintain an organic matter content of 10% in the surface layers. When topdressings are applied only once per year, the maximum tolerable organic matter content of the topdressing is around 5%." |
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| Language: | English |
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| References: | 73 |
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| See Also: | Other items relating to: WORMS |
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| Note: | Summary appears as abstract
Abstract partially appears in German and French
References appear on unnumbered pages
Equations
Tables |
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| ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Adams, W. A., and C. Saxon. 1979. The occurrence and control of thatch in sportsturf. Rasen Turf Gazon. 10(3):p. 75-83. |
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