Wednesday, November 15, 2006 - 3:15 PM
264-5

Impact on Water Requirements and Turf Quality of Water Repellency and its Correction with Surfactants in a USGA Specification Green.

Douglas Karcher1, Michael Richardson2, and Jason Miller2. (1) 308 PTSC, University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States of America, (2) 316 Plant Sci Bldg, University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas, Department of Horticulture, Fayetteville, AR 72701

Proper moisture management near the surface of sand-based putting green rootzones is critical in maintaining high quality turf, especially during stressful summer conditions.  The objective of the following research was to determine the effects of irrigation frequency and wetting agent application on the quality of a creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) putting green.  Treatments included four levels of irrigation frequency and two levels of wetting agent application (treated or untreated).  There was a strong interaction between irrigation frequency and wetting agent application with regard to turf quality and localized dry spot formation.  For untreated turf, only the highest irrigation frequency performed well, whereas turf treated with wetting agent maintained acceptable quality and had minimal dry spot formation at lower irrigation frequencies.  Wetting agent application resulted in more uniform moisture distribution and more desirable moisture levels near the rootzone surface.  Water use, surface hardness, and organic mater data will also be discussed.

Back to Symposium--Advances in Soil Water Repellency - Causes and Alleviation in Turf
Back to C05 Turfgrass Science

Back to The ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings (November 12-16, 2006)