Open AccessEstimating economic minimums of mowing, fertilizing, and irrigating turfgrass
Author(s) -
Soldat Douglas J.,
Brosnan James T.,
Chandra Ambika,
Gaussoin Roch E.,
Kowalewski Alec,
Leinauer Bernd,
Rossi Frank S.,
Stier John C.,
Unruh J. Bryan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
agricultural and environmental letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.681
H-Index - 12
ISSN - 2471-9625
DOI - 10.1002/ael2.20032
Subject(s) - acre , irrigation , recession , environmental science , total cost , agricultural economics , agronomy , agricultural science , economics , biology , keynesian economics , microeconomics
The public health crisis and economic recession caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic have forced turfgrass industry professionals to re‐evaluate standard practices. Minimum costs required to fertilize, irrigate, and mow turfgrasses can be roughly estimated using climate data, turfgrass physiology information, and resource costs. Although the actual minimum costs vary situationally and regionally, mowing golf putting greens optimally requires about US$34 per acre per month, whereas other turfgrass areas cost less than US$11 per acre per growing month. Fertilizer applications to turfgrass cost US$22 or less per acre per growing month. Irrigation costs (water and electricity for pumping) vary widely, with the least expensive regions requiring ∼US$300 per acre per year compared with 12 times more than that total in other parts of the United States.