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Kentucky Bluegrass Response to Establishment Methods and Cultural Practices in a Sand‐Based System and Native Soil
Author(s) -
Anderson Joshua D.,
Rimi Filippo,
Richardson Michael D.,
Macolino Stefano,
Karcher Douglas E.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj2013.0266
Subject(s) - loam , dns root zone , poa pratensis , environmental science , agronomy , water content , silt , soil water , drainage , soil science , biology , geology , poaceae , ecology , paleontology , geotechnical engineering
The use of sod to establish turf on sand‐based root zones often leads to layering of contrasting soil textures within the root zone, causing adverse effects on soil drainage and moisture. These issues may be alleviated by alternative establishment methods and post‐establishment cultural practices. Objectives of this study were to test the effects of sod establishment method, aerification, and sand topdressing on water infiltration, soil moisture, root mass, and divot resistance of Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.) on sand‐capped and native soil root zones. In 2010, cultivar Midnight Kentucky bluegrass was established in Fayetteville, AR, using standard (soil‐based), washed, and pre‐harvest, core‐aerified sod on a sand‐capped and a native silt loam root zone. After establishment, core aerification treatments (non‐cultivated vs. 20% surface area affected annually) and topdressing treatments (0.6‐cm sand applied one vs. four times yr −1 ) were imposed. The washed sod resulted in lower volumetric water content (VWC) (–3 to 4%) for both the root zones in 2010 and only for the sand‐capped system in 2011. Core‐aerification improved water infiltration rate (13% increase) and reduced the VWC (–44% at end of study) of the sand‐capped root zone. The effects of cultural practices on root mass density and divot resistance were of limited practical importance. Core‐aerification and topdressing appeared effective for managing layered root zones and would likely improve the long‐term quality of golf and sports turfs.