Field evaluations of fans and syringing on creeping bentgrass growth in the humid southeast. (C05-phillips769596-oral)
Authors:
S.E. Phillips* - Auburn University D.Y. Han - Auburn University
Abstract:
The quality of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) putting greens declines during periods of extreme heat and humidity in the southeastern U.S. Fans are one method of reducing heat stress on bentgrass in this region. Sometimes, fan treatments are supplemented with light irrigation or misting (syringing) to promote evaporative cooling. This study evaluated the effects of combinations of fans and syringing on temperature in the rootzone, root growth, clipping yield, shoot density and visual quality on a creeping bentgrass green. A ‘Crenshaw’ putting green was built in Auburn, AL with installed fans and misting heads which allowed the following treatments: fans + syringing, fans only, syringing only and control. Fans were run 24 hours and syringing treatments applied five times per day. Fan and fan + syringing treatments reduced the temperature at a depth of 12.5mm by up to 6 degrees C. The
difference in temperature was greater during the day, but the rootzone also was cooler throughout the night. Both fan treatments also increased shoot density and root mass and there was a trend toward greater root length density in the fan and fan + syringe treatments, although these differences were not significant (p=0.05). There was not a significant difference in clipping yields between the four
treatments. Turf quality was improved by the fan + syringing treatment.
Speaker Information: Samuel Phillips, Auburn University, 201 Funchess HallDepartment of Agronomy and Soil, Auburn University, AL 36849; Phone: 334-844-4100; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Monday, November 3, 2003, 7:55 AM-10:30 AM Presentation Start: 9:45 AM
