Sand‐capping depth and subsoil influences on ‘Tifway’ bermudagrass response to irrigation frequency and drought

Abstract

Golf courses and sports fields with turfgrass surfaces have been moving toward sand-based root zone construction to enhance playability. Sand-capped systems are ideally suited for situations where poor water quality and/or clayey soils necessitate rapid drainage and the need to flush salts. This study evaluated sandcapping depth and subsoil texture on dynamics and availability of water as well as subsequent turf canopy and rooting characteristics. Objectives of this study were (a) to assess season-long turf performance and root distribution of 'Tifway' hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis Burt. Davy) turf established on various sand-cap depths (0-5 cm topdressed over 2 yr or 5, 10, or 20 cm) atop two subsoils (fine sandy loam or clay loam) and (b) to determine how sandcapping × subsoil combinations influence required irrigation frequency (1 vs. 2 d wk −1 at 0.6 × reference evapotranspiration) and soil moisture dynamics. Irrigation frequency had minimal effect on percent green cover during the entire study period. Root mass detected within the underlying 30-cm subsoil was inversely proportional to sand-cap depth. Turf performance during the study was primarily affected by capping depth and subsoil, suggesting that playing surfaces can be negatively affected if the wrong capping depth is chosen in the construction of sand-capped turfgrass systems. 1 INTRODUCTION Given growing demands on potable water resources, golf courses, sports fields, and municipal parks increasingly are being managed with low-quality reclaimed irrigation water (Cabrera, Wagner, & Wherley, 2013; Gelernter, Stowell, Johnson, Brown, & Beditz, 2015). Management of turfgrass in these areas can be challenging where the structure of fine-textured native soil has become degraded over time. Common problems associated with degraded

Evaluation of irrigation scheduling approaches within sand‐capped turfgrass systems

“…diminished conditions when grown on fine-textured native soil and irrigated with water high in sodium or salts (Dyer et al, 2020). Sand capping the existing native soil has become an increasingly used practice to deal with poor water quality or excessive rainfall, because it provides an improved, welldraining growing medium for turfgrass, leading to improved performance and playability (White, 2013;Whitlark & Isom, 2020).…”

“…Limited published data are available concerning irrigation of sand-capped systems. Dyer et al (2020) found no differences in percentage green cover between 1 vs. 2 d wk −1 irrigation frequency regimes supplying 60% of reference evapotranspiration (ET o ) on sand-capped 'Tifway' hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon L. (Pers.)…”

“…Irrigating turfgrass using low‐quality water sources can lead to soil degradation and diminished turfgrass health over time (Carrow & Duncan, 2012; Marcum, 2006). Golf course fairways, sports fields, and lawns are particularly prone to these diminished conditions when grown on fine‐textured native soil and irrigated with water high in sodium or salts (Dyer et al., 2020). Sand capping the existing native soil has become an increasingly used practice to deal with poor water quality or excessive rainfall, because it provides an improved, well‐draining growing medium for turfgrass, leading to improved performance and playability (White, 2013; Whitlark & Isom, 2020).…”

Turf solutions for the future, the 7th European turfgrass society research conference: Agronomy Journal special issue

“…(2020) and Dyer et al. (2020). We would like to thank Dr. John Stier, University of Tennessee, and Dr. Mike Richardson, University of Arkansas, who served as editors for this special issue.…”

“…Topics also include the effect of fertilization on establishment (Lindsey, Thoms, & Christians, 2020;Øgaard & Aamlid, 2020) and maintenance strategies for disease control (Hempfling, Murphy, & Clarke, 2020;Mattox, Kowalewski, McDonald, Lambrinos, & Pscheidt, 2020). Findings on turfgrass performance under different irrigation strategies are reported by Serena et al (2020) and Dyer et al (2020). We would like to thank Dr. John Stier, University of Tennessee, and Dr. Mike Richardson, Agronomy Journal.…”