Monday, 7 November 2005 - 10:00 AM
63-9

Best Management Practices for Creeping Bentgrass Putting Greens in the Transition Zone.

William Strunk1, John C. Sorochan1, Thomas Samples1, Thom Nikolai2, and Joseph Scott McElroy1. (1) University of Tennessee, 2431 Joe Johnson Dr Rm 252, Knoxville, TN 37996-4561, (2) Michigan State University, Plant and Soil Science Building, East Lansing, MI 48824

The number one challenge for golf course superintendents in the transition zone is to manage their creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) putting greens during the high temperature and humidity months of June, July, and August. High temperature stress and disease pressure make it difficult to maintain a high quality and consistent putting surface. Light-weight rolling of putting greens has become a useful tool in a superintendent's arsenal. Research has shown that rolling greens can increase green speed and the performance of the putting surface. In 2004, a study was initiated to compare the effects of alternating rolling and mowing with traditional methods of mowing everyday on creeping bentgrass putting greens in the transition zone to determine putting green speed, turf quality, and disease and weed occurrence. Two creeping bentgrass putting greens were subjected different mowing and/or rolling managements during the summer months of June, July, and August. Treatments consisted of mowing everyday without rolling, mowing everyday with rolling three days per week, and mowing three days per week alternating with rolling three days per week. All plots received one day off. Preliminary data showed that there were no differences in green speed between treatments six out of ten weeks. There were also no differences in pest occurrence amongst treatments. However, there were differences in quality by August. Plots receiving treatments of mowing alternating with rolling had better overall turf quality than the other treatments. Mowing everyday had better turf quality than plots mown everyday with rolling. Treatments will continue in the summer months of 2005.

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