Full TGIF Record # 38300
Item 1 of 1
Web URL(s):https://listings.lib.msu.edu/illtc/1976.pdf#page=70
    Last checked: 01/13/2017
    Requires: PDF Reader
    Notes: Item is within a single large file
Publication Type:
i
Proceedings
Author(s):Beard, James B.
Author Affiliation:Professor, Dept. of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A & M Univ., College Station
Title:Thatch: Its causes and control
Source:Proceedings of the 17th Illinois Turfgrass Conference. Vol. 17, 1976, p. 68-74.
Publishing Information:Urbana-Champaign, IL: University of Illinois, Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture; and the Illinois Turfgrass Foundation
# of Pages:7
Keywords:TIC Keywords: Thatch; Thatch control; Environmental benefits; Disease susceptibility; Biological control; Mechanical control; Shoot growth; Topdressing; Soil pH; Soil cultivation; Carbon to nitrogen ratio; Earthworms; Vertical mowing
Abstract/Contents:Thatch is the intermingled organic layer of dead and living shoots, stems, and roots that develops between the zone of green vegetation and the soil surface. Problems with thatch include: localized dry spot, increased disease and insect activity, chlorosis, proneness to scalping, increased proneness to heat, cold, and drought injury, increased footprinting, and pesticide inactivation. Thatch can be biologically controlled by controlling shootgrowth; nitrogen and irrigation levels can be controlled to provide only enough nutrition to maintain color, density, and recuperative rates of the turfgrass. Topdressing with soil provides favorable moisture and pH conditions for decomposition. Adjusting the pH range of soils to the level (6-7) which is best for turfgrass growth and earthworm activity. Soil cultivation by coring, slicing, grooving, spiking, or shattering provides improved soil oxygen conditions, which can contribute to greater activity by the soil microflora and fauna population. The rate of thatch decomposition is greatest when the carbon-nitrogen ratio is in the 15 to 20 range. Earthworm activity plays an important role in controlling thatch. A good pH range of 6-7, modest irrigation, and the minimal amount of insecticide will enhance earthworm activity. The most commonly used mechanical control of thatch is vertical mowing.
Language:English
References:0
See Also:Updated version appears in Grounds Maintenance, 12(8) August 1977, p. 11-12, 14-17, R=6358. R=6358
Note:Reprint appears in Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Tennessee Turfgrass Conference, 1977, p. 1-12
Reprint appears in Conference Proceedings of the 48th International Golf Course Conference and Show, 1977, p. 14-27
Reprint appears in Proceedings: 1978 Missouri Lawn & Turf Conference, 1978, p. 22-33
Tables
ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Beard, J. B. 1976. Thatch: Its causes and control. p. 68-74. In Proceedings of the 17th Illinois Turfgrass Conference. Urbana-Champaign, IL: University of Illinois, Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture; and the Illinois Turfgrass Foundation.
Fastlink to access this record outside TGIF: https://tic.msu.edu/tgif/flink?recno=38300
If there are problems with this record, send us feedback about record 38300.
Choices for finding the above item:
Web URL(s):
https://listings.lib.msu.edu/illtc/1976.pdf#page=70
    Last checked: 01/13/2017
    Requires: PDF Reader
    Notes: Item is within a single large file
Find Item @ MSU
MSU catalog number: SB 433 .A1 I4
Find from within TIC:
   Digitally in TIC by record number.
   Physical sequential file in TIC.
Request through your local library's inter-library loan service (bring or send a copy of this TGIF record)