Wednesday, November 7, 2007
268-13
Effect of Sod Establishment Timing on Rooting Strength of Poa Pratensis.
Jason Henderson, University of Connecticut, Univ. of Connecticut-Plant Science, 1376 Storrs Road Unit 4067, Storrs, CT 06269
During athletic field construction or renovation projects, securing adequate time for proper turfgrass establishment prior to field use is a significant challenge. Cool-season turfgrass species are established by two primary methods; seeding and sodding. Sodding is often the preferred method due to instantaneous turfgrass density, minimal weed competition, and Poa pratensis L. is slow to germinate and develop. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of sod establishment timing on rooting strength. Sod treatments were installed at the beginning of several months throughout the growing season. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. Sod treatments included December 2005 (covered and uncovered), May 2006, June 2006, and July 2006. The study was repeated in 2006-2007. Rooting boxes were installed with each sod treatment and were extracted monthly. The peak force required to extract each rooting box was recorded and used to assess sod rooting strength. Sod treatments installed in December (covered and uncovered) consistently increased rooting strength over other sod installation dates through June of the subsequent growing season during year 1 and year 2, indicating a strong advantage to late fall sod establishment for spring and early summer athletic field use. December covered treatments increased rooting strength over December uncovered treatments through July of year 1 and May of year 2, demonstrating a potential advantage to covering sod for early spring athletic field use.