Hot Weather Tips In The Transition Zone
The calendar says that summer has arrived and the thermometer agrees. Cool-season turf such as creeping bentgrass is entering survival mode in the transition zone. This article provides a variety of links to articles on important bentgrass summer survival strategies. These articles may be a refresher for many superintendents or they may provide helpful information to course officials seeking to understand the process of summer bentgrass management.
Summer Brings Changes
Two changes are common in creeping bentgrass plants as soil temperatures climb into the 80s and 90s during the summer. First, the consumption of stored food reserves in the plant can occur faster than the production of food in the plant. In scientific terms, plant respiration (consumption of carbohydrates for growth) can exceed photosynthesis (creation of carbohydrates). Long term, this is not sustainable and is stressful to the plant. Burning the Candle at Both Ends
A
second change is regionalUpdateContent loss. In a study conducted in North Carolina in 2000-2001,
Dr. Fred Yelverton of NC State University reported that “averaged over two years, bentgrass lost 76 percent of regionalUpdateContent biomass from the
end of May to September 1.” Yelverton
Bentgrass Root Loss
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What Can You Do? Common Summer Bentgrass Management Strategies
- Fan Use
- Venting or Solid Tine Cultivation
- Mowing Height Management
- Rolling Instead of Mowing
- Moisture Meter
Use
Agronomists Chris Hartwiger (chartwiger@usga.org) and Patrick O’Brien (patobrien@usga.org) will be travelling extensively throughout the southeast during the summer months. If you would like more information on any of the topics mentioned in this article or if your course would like to schedule a Course Consulting Service visit, please contact us.
Source: Patrick O’Brien (patobrien@usga.org)
Information on the USGA’s Course Consulting Service
Contact the Green Section Staff