Earning his Spurs - Pitchcare

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DRAINAGE Philip Dixon Contractors Ltd Established 1978 Sportsturf Drainage Specialist Drainage � Construction � Renovation Slitting � Banding � Maintenance Tel 01772 877289 (Preston, Lancs) Email: info@dixondrainage.co.uk www.dixondrainage.co.uk �� Appley Bridge, Wigan, Lancashire WN6 9DT �� t 01257 255321 � �� e�� Help us to help you! When responding to advertising please mention that you ‘saw it in Pitchcare’ DRAIN TODAY - PLAY TOMORROW Phone: 01507 578288 Fax: 01507 578790 info@sheltonsdrainage.com www.sheltonsdrainage.com Machine sales Hire and contracting services 118 To advertise in this section contact Classifieds Peter Britton on 01747 855335 email: peter@pitchcare.com Miles Drainage Limited Quality Land Drainage Systems for Sports Pitches, Golf Courses and other Amenity Areas •Advice, design and installation •Piped systems •Sand Slitting •Gravel Banding Tel: 01359 259424 Fax: 01359 258073 Web: www.milesdrainage.co.uk Email: trenchers@milesdrainage.co.uk Traditional drainage and Lytag banding of greens and fairways Tel: 01785 812706 E: NSIrrigation@aol.com www.northstaffsirrigation.co.uk SPORTSTURF DRAINAGE CONTRACTOR Tel: 01430 430762 Email: sales@sweetingbrosltd.co.uk www.sweetingbrosltd.co.uk Manor Farm, Cotness, Laxton Howden, Goole East Yorkshire DN14 7YE www.pitchcare.com Mowing STRESS BUSTING Mowing practice to de-stress your turf. By Conor Nolan, STRI Turfgrass Agronomist for Ireland Mowing is the most widely used maintenance operation in the preparation of grass surfaces for sports use. It is generally regarded as the most influential treatment affecting both the playing quality of the surface and plant health. However, although being an essential process that prepares playing surfaces for users, one must not forget that, at the same time, it can damage the grass which, in turn, can result in the turf being vulnerable to other stresses. Mowing often results in the significant removal of a large proportion of leaf tissue that would otherwise be used by plants to convert solar energy into chemical energy. Mowing reduces the rate of photosynthesis and, in doing so, reduces the ability of the plant to produce carbohydrates which are necessary for growth and survival. The challenge for the turf manager, therefore, is to balance playability with turf health. This article aims to look at some aspects of mowing that help the turf manager favour the health of the turf, particularly at the lower end of the mowing tolerance range for grasses. Plant physiology It is well documented, but worth repeating, that the changes occur as a result of varying heights of cut and increasing mowing frequency that is invariably necessary for preparing playing surfaces. As the mowing height is adjusted to the optimum for each turfgrass species, in general the following changes can occur: • Carbohydrate synthesis and storage are reduced • Leaf width and root growth are reduced • Shoot density is increased • Shoot growth is increased • Chlorophyll content is increased • Tissue succulence is increased As the mowing frequency is increased, further changes occur: • Carbohydrate storage reserves are reduced • Root, rhizome and stolon development are reduced • Leaf width and elongation rate are reduced • Shoot density is increased • Tissue succulence is increased Mower type/configurations Careful selection and manipulation of mowing height and frequency are very important considerations for the turf manager. Recognition of the mowing tolerances of grass species, the use to which the turf is put, as well as environmental stresses need serious consideration. Currently, in putting green situations, the role of mower type and roller configuration has taken on great importance, especially in the US. At the better US golf courses, greens mower configurations are applied to match the circumstances. Mowers are invariably pedestrian, reel type cylinder mowers at such courses. The configurations range from fixed head pedestrian mowers with grooved front rollers, to pedestrian mowers of floating or flex reel arrangements with solid front rollers. If turf is growing vigorously, then the more aggressive mower combination of fixed head and grooved front roller are often chosen. Early research findings by Rossi & Thurn (2004) indicated and supported the notion that all pedestrian cylinder mowers are not alike in their effect on turf quality and anthracnose disease occurrence at the same height of cut. Somewhat controversially perhaps, it was noted that there was significant difference between fixed head mowing units. Whilst some of the better resourced UK and Irish courses may use pedestrian mowers on their greens, there is normally less variation of set-up to suit circumstances. Good quality fairway type turf can be produced with ride-on 5 unit mowers, but, even here, there are options for mower configuration. Mower set-up Further Rossi & Thurn work indicated that the positioning of
the bedknives relative to the reel influenced the aggressiveness of cut. The distance of the front roller from the cutting unit as determined by groomer design, also seems to have an influence on scalping. Howieson & Christian’s (2001) examination of mower settings emphasises the importance of appropriate reel to bedknife adjustment. Least injury (shredding and browning), highest visual quality and chlorophyll content was found from the mower maintained with slight reel to bedknife contact for the duration of the trial. The poorest results were found from the mower that was left with slightly “dull” setup and without any contact between bedknife and reel. Rossi & Thurn observed that fixed head units came out of adjustment sooner than flex or floating units. Carson (2007) also suggests that bedknife thickness influences turf quality. He found that thick bedknives produced the lowest turf colour ratings, although the research was deemed nonconclusive. Quite recent research, by the STRI for Bernhards & Co. Ltd., has confirmed the importance of sharp, correctly set-up mowing equipment, not only in terms of quality of cut and presentation, but also reducing the stress on turf and decreasing the risk of disease incidence etc. De-stressing the turf Under environmentally induced stress situations of heat, disease or shade, adjustment of mowing practice to turf surfaces that may already be below optimum cutting height range, becomes crucial. It is one of the first means of alleviating the stress and promotion of recovery. Typically adjustments to stressed, short cut turf involve the following: • Postpone mowing for a number of days to arrest decline and until turf health improves. Resume mowing at a higher height • Raise the mowing height. Simple adjustment of mowing height upwards by 0.38mm from 3.2mm to 3.6mm alleviated anthracnose disease significantly. The shorter the mowing height, the less leaf area that remains to gather light and perform photosynthesis • Delay mowing until surfaces are free of surface water. Scalping is possible if mowers sink into soft, wet turf • Skip mowing once or twice per week. In doing so, frequency of cut shall be mindful of the one third rule, which removes no more than one third vertical growth per cut • Stop double cutting. Whilst recent research into anthracnose disease management would suggest double cutting to maintain ball speed, at a higher height of cut, significantly reduced this disease stress, earlier findings suggest avoiding this practice • Maintain well adjusted mowers to reduce wounding. Wounds offer a further entry point for disease and reduce the leaf chlorophyll content • Deploy the lightest pedestrian mowers possible • Use pedestrian mowers instead of triplex mowers. Whilst there is no hard research evidence to support the difference upon turf quality of the two types of mower, the lighter option should reduce tissue damage. The action of triplex mowers on perimeters can be quite damaging and is sufficient reason to mow with pedestrian cylinder mowers • Empty grass collectors before mowing each green and each perimeter to reduce downward force • Reduce mowing frequency to perimeters • Reduce mowing speed to perimeters • Stop verticutting (and possibly grooming). Whilst not mowing in the truest sense, verticutting is a form of defoliation. Recent research into cultural influences upon anthracnose disease occurrence indicates that, once verticutting is limited to the leaf and not the crown, there is no negative effect on disease incidence. In a stressed environment, however, it would seem sensible to stop verticutting altogether to maximise leaf area The adjustment practices above have largely been driven, in the last decade or so, by research into anthracnose disease control to putting surfaces. Stressing turf through mowing practices has been observed at potentially harsh coastal golf course environments, noted for their slower growing conditions. The reduction in mechanical stress, especially through mowing, has found particular favour in the gradual promotion of fescue in such environments. In situations other than fine turf surfaces, the value of replacing grooved or spiral front rollers with solid front rollers has been notable on the perimeters of tees and fairways, where mowing of nonstraight lines may otherwise see stressed turf. In difficult sports environments, the effect of the mower in relieving turf stress is also recognised. Who would ever have envisaged in recent years the incorporation of lightweight pedestrian rotary mowers within the mowing regime? Such mowers have come to dominate general mowing practice at some sites in the UK and Ireland. They have the added advantage of ensuring a more upright plant and removal of thatch forming debris. Importantly, they offer a lighter weight option to heavier cylinder mowers where the potential to surface smear is greater. Adjustment of the mowing practice can overcome a sometimes disastrous situation, and allow better sleep at night! FERTILISERS �� From Tools & Turfcare to Markers & Maintenance Quality Course Signage & Personalised Club Supplies �� Oakland Amenity Golf Course Supplies Dedicated to Scotland & The North of England Tel: 07810 883 434 www.oaklandamenity.co.uk To advertise in this section contact Classifieds Peter Britton on 01747 855335 email: peter@pitchcare.com DRAINAGE GRASS CUTTING MACHINERY SPORTS TURF DRAINAGE AND CONSTRUCTION NATIONWIDE SERVICE www.turfdry.com Contact: Melvyn Taylor Office: 01283 551417 Mobile: 07836 259133 Email: melvyn@turfdry.com Green Infrastructure specialises in carbohydrate and natural mineral products to provide a whole soil management approach to managing sports surfaces 30 Connaught Street, Kettering NN16 8NU Office: 0845 5191 586 Mobile: 07780 580379 greeninfrastructureco@gmail.com www.green-infrastructure-ltd.co.uk GOLF COURSE SUPPLIES Advertising in this classified section costs as little as £200 a year for a single column x 4cm Telephone: 01747 855335 for further information FLAIL MOWERS MAJOR EQUIPMENT LTD Tel: 01524 850501 WWW.MAJOR-EQUIPMENT.COM A range of quality traditional gang mowers at an affordable price offering outstanding value Tel: 01296 738197 Email: sales@rtmachinery.co.uk Website: www.rtmachinery.co.uk Trimax PegasusS2 Tractor not included ... IRRIGATION ... but everything you need for years of superb mowing is! Tel: 01933 652235 info@trimaxmowers.co.uk www.trimaxmowers.com IRRIGATION SPECIALISTS DESIGN & SUPPLY INSTALLATION MAINTENANCE Tel. 01722 716361 www.mjabbott.co.uk REUSABLE, RECYCLED AND SURPLUS IRRIGATION AND CONTROL EQUIPMENT �� Good quality irrigation, control & pumping equipment always wanted �� Buy products and spare parts on-line �� Collection and delivery available Visit our web site www.recontrol.co.uk 07929 741618 119
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SERVING THE TURFCARE INDUSTRY FEATU
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WELCOME TO pitchcare The best in th
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Roger Ward, Horsham Cricket Club Cr
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Racecourse Groundstaff Awards York
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One day event will showcase latest
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2005 Feb Toro BUY Hayter Toro BY Ha
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Issue 5 Issue 11 inimitable Laurenc
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Not sure which way to go? Ransomes
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Jim Buttar and Darren Baldwin on th
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Darren’s integral role in the Tot
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“It is a huge challenge to produc
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“We were able to maintain stabili
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Field of Dreams AFC Wulfrunians hav
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Pitch looking like a farmer’s fie
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Security and Theft Most crime reduc
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FIVE YEARS The views of our readers
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DON’T BE HELD BACK BY YOUR EQUIPM
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A brand new cricket facility at Wes
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£25,000 for practice nets £25,000
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Memorial garden View from the pavil
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Cricket is just one in a thriving s
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Grass tennis courts “The contract
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Roger with his ‘exit strategy’
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Talking cricket with Karl Brotherho
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No more punctures …ever! No hassl
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SawPoints “Golf courses tend to h
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Occasional users wishing to fell ma
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employee may be exposed to on any s
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about tree removal from an ecologic
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“Why the hell is he doing that wh
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Seaclose Park prior to the festival
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Employer’s Liability Products Lia
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ALAN Hamilton looks after two crick
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Shane Moon Iwas invited to visit Gu
Page 70 and 71: L’Ancresse Golf Course TWO clubs
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Page 76 and 77: Paul Bishop is Estates Manager at t
Page 78 and 79: 76 Bunker work has been ongoing A g
Page 80 and 81: The dynamic duo become the fantasti
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Page 86 and 87: The Drain Brain! Sustainable draina
Page 88 and 89: Diagram 1 - Pre and post developmen
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Page 92 and 93: Stewart has built relationships wit
Page 94 and 95: grade Mansfield sand. The site was
Page 96 and 97: Ups on the Downs Report by Tom Jame
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Page 100 and 101: 98 “Some groundsmen I’ve spoken
Page 102 and 103: Mark Cornford The mention of Plumpt
Page 104 and 105: “Frost covers certainly have a bi
Page 106 and 107: I’ve been in the sports turf indu
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Page 110 and 111: Perhaps the most sustainable crop o
Page 112 and 113: The importance of bed-knives and ho
Page 114: cones reels and can damage reel bea
Page 117 and 118: important that both, or all sides,
Page 119: water, to mark the spot for drillin
Page 123 and 124: travel over on the night sailing fr
Page 125 and 126: tasks that should be carried out wi
Page 127 and 128: A fox will average between 2-6 year
Page 129 and 130: lawns give every appearance of bein
Page 131 and 132: Quote me happy “For the first nin
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Earning his Spurs - Pitchcare

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