Effect of Core Aerification Frequency, Area Impacted, and Topdressing Rate on Turf Quality and Soil Physical Properties

Abstract

Soil compaction oft en occurs in heavily traffi cked turf areas such as golf course putting greens and sports fi elds. Although research exists on benefi ts of proper aerifi cation, insuffi cient data exists quantifying the eff ect of removing, or "impacting," specifi c amounts of surface area per year, number of aerifi cation events per year, or amount of topdressing applied postaerifi cation on turfgrass quality and soil physical properties. Understanding these eff ects was the objective of this study. Th e study was conducted on a 10-yr-old U.S. Golf Association (USGA)-specifi ed TifEagle bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt Davy] research putting green to evaluate two yearly totals of percent surface area impacted, 15 and 25, summed through one, two, or three aerifi cation events per year, with cores removed. Following aerifi cation, treatments received one of two topdressing rates; the mathematical equivalent of soil removed with aerifi cation or half this rate. Turf quality declined for ~4 wk aft er each aerifi cation event, at which point it typically improved. Increasing number of aerifi cation events per year from one to three reduced bulk density (BD) between 5 and 9%, surface hardness between 5 and 19%, and thatch-mat organic matter content 10% in Year 2. Infi ltration rates were highest in single aerifi cation event treatments during the same year. Overall, increasing amount of surface area impacted and number of aerifi cation events per year improved soil physical properties. Reducing frequency of aerifi cation while impacting the same amount of surface area per year increased overall visual turfgrass quality while not yielding similar improvements in soil physical properties.

Long‐term Effect of Open‐Spoon Aerification on Plant and Soil Properties of Community Level Sports Fields

“…Studies that examined the impact of hollow-tine aerification on turfgrass systems have resulted in mixed conclusions. Atkinson et al (2012) observed an increase in soil bulk density (strongly related to penetration resistance) in response to hollow-tine aerification, while Murphy et al (1993) reported a decrease, and Murphy and Rieke (1994) reported no change. Surface hardness has generally decreased in response to hollow-tine aerification (Bunnell et al, 2001;Murphy et al, 1993), but mixed results have also been observed (Atkinson et al, 2012).…”

“…Atkinson et al (2012) observed an increase in soil bulk density (strongly related to penetration resistance) in response to hollow-tine aerification, while Murphy et al (1993) reported a decrease, and Murphy and Rieke (1994) reported no change. Surface hardness has generally decreased in response to hollow-tine aerification (Bunnell et al, 2001;Murphy et al, 1993), but mixed results have also been observed (Atkinson et al, 2012). Carrow et al (1987) and Murray and Juska (1977) observed increases in turf quality following hollow-tine aerification, while Cooper and Skogley (1981) and Dunn et al (1995) reported decreases.…”

“…Aerification is a common cultivation practice performed on turfgrass to alleviate soil compaction. Hollow-tine cultivation, which involves the removal of a core from the soil profile, is the most commonly researched form of aerification (Atkinson et al, 2012;Carrow et al, 1987;Murphy et al, 1993;Wiecko et al, 1993). Removing cores from the profile helps decrease soil compaction and surface hardness through the reduction of soil mass per given volume (Emmons, 2007).…”

Perspective on the History of Turf Cultivation

“…This suggests that periodic coring can compact the soil at the maximum depth of penetration, resulting in significant reductions in water percolation within the soil profile, and that complementary cultivation practices should be employed to counter these effects. Cultivation frequency is a subject that warrants further research (Atkinson et al, 2012; Fu et al, 2009; O’Brien and Hartwiger, 2003).…”

Improved or Unimproved Urban Areas Effect on Soil and Water Quality

“…Aeration (removal of small cores of soil) has primarily been used in golf course putting greens to reduce thatch build-up, decrease bulk density, and increase infiltration [3]. Loper et al [4] and Evanylo et al [1] observed that compost decreased bulk density and improved plant growth.…”