Full TGIF Record # 68817
Item 1 of 1
Publication Type:
i
Proceedings
Author(s):Hall, John R. III
Author Affiliation:Extension Turf Agronomist, VPI Cooperative Extension Service, Blacksburg, VA
Title:Selecting topdressing materials for golf greens
Section:Lecture notes from December 1981 New Jersey Turfgrass Expo
Other records with the "Lecture notes from December 1981 New Jersey Turfgrass Expo" Section
Source:1982 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. Vol. 13, 1982, p. 12-16.
Publishing Information:New Brunswick, NJ: Cook College and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University, In cooperation with the New Jersey Turfgrass Association
# of Pages:5
Keywords:TIC Keywords: Topdressings; Sand; Agrostis; Golf greens
Abstract/Contents:"Topdressing of bentgrass greens has its primary function the truing of greens by stabilizing the puffy thatch layer that normally develops in a bentgrass turf. It has come to be realized that topdressing also encourages stolon rooting, aids in thatch decomposition, stimulates new shoot growth, provides micro-organisms antagonistic to parasitic fungi and provides nutrients to the turf. In winter overseeding of bermudagrass serves to improve seed-soil contact and enhance germination." In northern climates topdressing is utilized to protect against winter dessication. "In situations where the existing greens soil is inadequate, frequent, heavy topdressing, is utilized to actually rebuild or modify the existing golf green soil. There are many sands available that will not function properly as topdressing materials. Lists the 1977 USGA topdressing recommendations for sand (coarse, medium, fine), soil, and organic matter. "There are several areas of concern that come into mind when one contemplates a change in topdressing mixtures from the traditional sand-soil-peat or weblite-soil-peat to straight sand. Straight sand or sand-peat mixtures have been noted to exhibit the following characteristics: 1) excessive water infiltration, 2) excessive nutrient leaching, 3) lower microbial activity, 4) hydrophobic drying, 5) lack of moisture reservoir, and 6) susceptibility to layering." Notes that there have been both positive and negative observations made in situations where frequent "sand" topdressing has been adopted. Positive observations include stronger and healthier root systems, faster and truer putting greens, and the absence of grain. Some negative observations include 1) more wear around the edges of greens; 2) the bubbling effect which is when excessive water moved in the sand layer to a low spot and floats or raises the turf; 3) localized dry spot caused by hydrophobic layers forming on the sand particles; 4) increased bedknife, reel and topdressing equipment wear; 5) new roots only inhabiting the sand layer, necessitating more frequent irrigation; 6) greens losing color more rapidly necessitating more frequently; 8) spike marks and ball persisting longer; and 9) on a predominately Poa annua L. green that had developed a sand layer from sand topdressings, the green actually began to roll up on the drum aerifier as if the superintendent were cutting sod.
Language:English
References:4
Note:"August 1982"
Tables
ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Hall, J. R. III. 1982. Selecting topdressing materials for golf greens. p. 12-16. In 1982 Rutgers Turfgrass Proceedings. New Brunswick, NJ: Cook College and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University, In cooperation with the New Jersey Turfgrass Association.
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