Atmospheric Composition under Impermeable Winter Golf Green Protections

Abstract

The utilization of impermeable winter covers on annual bluegrass [Poa annua var. reptans (Hauskn.) Timm.] golf greens as a protection against excess water and ice is increasing rapidly in Canada and elsewhere in northern climates. A study was conducted to examine the impact of these covers on the atmospheric composition over golf green turfgrass during the 1997–1998 and 1998–1999 winters in Québec City and in Montréal, Canada. Winter protective covers tested included a commercial impermeable cover on top of either curled wood shavings mat (CW‐CC), 15 cm of straw mulch (SM‐CC) or a felt material (FM‐CC), a clear polyethylene cover on top of a curled wood shavings mat (CW‐PC), and an unprotected control. Oxygen was consumed at variable rates under impermeable winter protective covers. As a result, anoxic conditions were not reached during winter at the Québec City site but high respiration rates at the Montréal site resulted in anoxic conditions that lasted for periods as long as 50 d, without apparent damage to the annual bluegrass plants. Further tests were conducted on greens experiencing recurrent damages that could not be explained by freezing temperatures, snow mold pathogens, excess water, or ice. We showed that these problem greens had higher soil respiration rates than nonproblem greens indicating that the differences in O2 consumption amongst golf greens are likely due to differences in soil biological activity rather than in plant respiration. We also established that the higher activity in soils of recurrently damaged greens was related to higher levels of soil organic C. Accordingly, sand‐based golf greens built according to the USGA specifications had lower soil organic matter and lower respiration rates than greens built on native soils. We conclude that high rates of O2 consumption by golf greens with high soil organic matter content results in potentially harmful anoxic conditions under impermeable covers during winter.

Variability for Freezing Tolerance among 42 Ecotypes of Green‐Type Annual Bluegrass

“…Winter damage to golf greens can disrupt play in the spring and is a recurrent cause of major economic losses to the golf industry in cold climates (Dionne, 2000;Rochette et al, 2006). Comparative susceptibility to winter stresses between annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass [Agrostis palustris Huds.…”

Physiological Responses of Annual Bluegrass and Creeping Bentgrass to Contrasted Levels of O2 and CO2 at Low Temperatures

“…Despite the presence of these protections, winter damages not linked to low temperatures, excess water, snow mold diseases, or ice are observed on some golf greens. Recent studies by Rochette et al (2006) demonstrated that atmospheric composition under impermeable covers can become progressively anaerobic, reaching anoxic levels on some golf greens. Long periods of anoxia may be the cause of extensive damage to annual bluegrass greens observed under winter protections.…”

Turfgrass Cover Sources Vary in Temperature, Light and Moisture Penetration, and Weight

“…A mean daily temperature range was calculated since large swings in temperature underneath permanently installed blankets can lead to both desirable and undesirable biological activity of the covered turfgrass (Goatley et al, 2007; Rochette et al, 2006). The highest mean daily range in 2013–2014 was observed for the uncovered control (51.3°C) which was not different from Evergreen (45.8°C) and Gray (45.5°C).…”

“…Impermeable covers are also important tools in managing crown hydration and winter survival of annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass putting green turfs when used with loose materials such as curled wood mat or straw mulch (Dionne et al, 1999; Tompkins and Moroz, 2000). However, the extended use of impermeable covers also increases the possibility of toxic gas accumulation, especially on native soil or putting green soil that has high organic matter content (Rochette et al, 2006). These types of covers are often used in climates that have high snowfall totals and little concern with winter desiccation.…”