A
acid soil -
A soil with a pH below the neutral point of 7.0. Soil acidity is
determined by the concentration of hydrogen ions in solution.
Turfgrasses generally prefer slightly acidic soils.
acid injection -
Used to treat poor quality irrigation water that contains both
excessive bicarbonates and a high sodium hazard. Sulfuric acid,
phosphoric acid, or urea sulfuric acid is injected into the
irrigation system with specialized equipment. (Also see sulfur
burner).
activated sludge -
A granular, porous, organic fertilizer material derived from
sewerage. Aeration, digestion, and drying processes kill all
bacteria and weed seeds. Nitrogen is the most valuable component
of this product.
aerate -
Process of aerifying soils with hollow tines, solid tines, water,
or air injection: used synonymously with aerify.
air movement -
Air movement across a fine turf area is important to reduce
surface temperatures, dry the surface, and minimize disease
activity. It usually is accomplished by pruning nearby trees and
understory shrubs.
algae -
A dense growth of minute, single-celled plants containing
chlorophyll that develops on thin or bare areas of turf in hot,
humid weather when soils are saturated with moisture.
alkaline soil -
A soil having a basic reaction or a pH above the neutral point
(pH 7.0); a soil having an excess of hydroxyl (OH) ions, usually
found in areas of relatively low rainfall.
annual grasses -
Grasses that normally complete their life cycle in one year.
approach/apron -
The fairway areas in close proximity to and in front of the
putting green, adjoining the putting green collar. This area is
normally mowed at fairway height, but sometimes is mowed slightly
closer with smaller equipment designed to preserve or improve
turf quality and density.
B< Back
bacteria -
A large, widely distributed group of one-celled microorganisms,
chiefly parasitic or saprophytic. Some bacteria are disease
producing; many are active in processes such as fermentation, the
conversion of dead organic matter into soluble food for plants,
and the fixing of atmospheric nitrogen.
ball mark -
A depression and/or a tear in the putting green surface made by
the impact of a golf ball.
bench setting -
The height at which the bedknife is set above a firm, level
surface. This is generally the accepted measure for determining
cutting height.
biennial -
A term applied to plants that complete their life cycle in two
years.
biological control -
Control of turfgrass pests by the use of living organisms.
blend -
A combination of two or more varieties of the same grass
species.
blight -
A general term used to describe symptoms of plant disease which
may include sudden wilting or death of leaves, flowers, stems or
entire plants.
broadleaved -
Any of the dicotyledonous plants which grow in a turfgrass stand;
e.g.,
dandelion, plantain, clover, chickweed, knotweed, etc.
brushing -
In putting green maintenance, the practice of lifting excessive
leaf and stem growth of grasses prior to mowing. Usually
accomplished with brushes affixed ahead of the cutting reel.
Topdressing brushes are often used to work sand into a putting
surface.
buffer zone -
An area not treated with fertilizers or pesticides, usually used
as a protection zone around water features. Buffer zones provide
a filtering mechanism before runoff water enters a water
feature.
C< Back
calcareous soil -
A naturally occurring soil containing calcium carbonate
(lime).
caliche soil -
A crusted, hard, often cement-like formation of calcium carbonate
(lime) on soils in dry regions.
calibrate -
To determine and control the amount of material delivered by a
sprayer or spreader on a given area or in a given time.
capillary -
A small soil pore in which water is tightly held to soil
particles, and often is not available to the plant. In soils,
capillary is associated with the phenomenon of surface
tension.
cation -
Positively charged ions including potassium, calcium, magnesium,
and hydrogen.
cation exchange capacity (CEC) -
The sum total of exchangeable cations that a soil can absorb. The
value represents the nutrient-holding capacity of the soil.
certified seed or plants -
Usually the progeny or increases of registered or foundation
stock maintained so as to preserve genetic purity. The material
is inspected by a certifying agency, usually the State Crop
Improvement Association.
chlorosis -
The condition in plants relating to the loss or lack of green
color. May be caused by disease activity, albinism, or
nutritional deficiency.
clay -
See 'soil separates'.
collar -
An area of turf adjoining the putting surface which is mowed at a
height of cut intermediate between the fairway and the putting
surface. This cut is normally between 0.312 (5/16) and 0.50 (1/2)
inch. The typical collar width is approximately 36 inches, but
varies depending on the total green area and available mowing
equipment.
combing -
Using a comb, with metal teeth or flexible tines, fastened
immediately in front of a reel mower for the purpose of lifting
stolons and procumbent shoots so they may be cut by the
mower.
compaction -
State of being pressed closely together, as soil particles. Soil
compaction prevents adequate water and air penetration, and
reduces turfgrass root growth.
complete fertilizer -
A mixed fertilizer that contains the three major fertilizer
elements; nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.
compost -
A decomposed organic material often used as a soil additive to
increase organic matter content, improve water and nutrient
retention, and improve soil structure.
contour mowing -
To shape the borderline between the fairway and rough to add
interest, direction, or strategy to the golf hole, as in fairway
contouring.
cool season grasses -
Grasses that grow more actively during cool portions of the
growing season, primarily spring and fall (e.g. bentgrass,
Kentucky bluegrass,
Poa annua
, and perennial ryegrass).
coring -
A term frequently used interchangeably with aeration; the removal
of a soil core from a turfgrass area as with a soil probe or
hollow metal tines.
crown -
The basal stem portion of the plant containing meristematic
tissue. The crown is the growth point of the turf plant.
crown hydration -
A term used to describe a form of winter injury in which
intracellular water within the plant freezes and causes physical
injury to the cell membrane and wall, resulting in
dehydration.
cultivar -
A group of cultivated plants that when reproduced retain their
distinguishing features.
cultivation -
Turfgrass cultivation is a mechanical procedure such as spiking,
grooving, high pressure water injection, and deep tine, deep
drill, solid tine, or hollow tine coring on established turf
without destroying its sod characteristics.
cutting height -
The distance above the soil line that grasses are clipped.
The actual height at which grasses are cut. Varies from bench
setting, depending on the firmness of the playing surface, the
degree of thatch, and flotation of cutting unit.
< Back