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| Publication Type:
| Trade |
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| Author(s): | Anonymous |
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| Title: | Dry summers strike at the grass roots |
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| Source: | Parks, Golf Courses & Sports Grounds. Vol. 56, No. 10, July 1991, p. 12, 14. |
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| Publishing Information: | London, England: Clarke and Hunter Ltd. |
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| # of Pages: | 2 |
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| Keywords: | TIC Keywords: Cultural methods; Dry conditions; Fertilizers; Recommendations; Root zone; Soil moisture; Water use legislation
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| Abstract/Contents: | "During two of the driest consecutive summers on record, the combination of high temperatures and lack of irrigation quickly resulted in parks and pitches resembling those found in southern Europe. But turf managres are still experiencing the long-term effects of drought. With annual rainfall levels steadily falling, and restrictions rising on watering, drought is a big problem for turf and those who look after it. The real long-term damage was lying beneath the surface in the root zone. Root growth was restricted and in some cases die-back occurred. Soil compaction will restrict root growth. This can be reduced or eliminated during the spring and autumn by using aeration methods such as Verti-Draining, hollow coring and tining to allow the roots to penetrate deeply and to utilise moisture reverves at depth. Sometimes grass roots are confined to the thatch layer making them extremely susceptible to drying out. It can become "hydrophobic" which means any rain will not penetrate through to the turf root zone. When this happens regular application of wetting agents can help penetrate the hydrophobic zone. Once dry weather sets in immediate action must be taken to limit damage. Cutting height must be retained for un-irrigated turf and mowing should be carried out during the cooler parts of the day. Mechanical treatments must be avoided. Fertiliser applications will not be of any benefit once the soil has dried out and pesticide applications will be liable to cause scorch. When temperatures are high, irrigated grass will have a higher rate of phososynthesis and transpiration and will therefore have a greater demand for nutrients. |
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| Language: | English |
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| References: | 0 |
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| Note: | Pictures, b/w |
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| ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Anonymous. 1991. Dry summers strike at the grass roots. Parks Golf Courses Sports Grounds. 56(10):p. 12, 14. |
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MSU catalog number: SB 433 .A2 P2 |
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