Thatch Accumulation in Bermudagrass Turf in Relation to Management¹

Abstract

Thatch accumulation and decomposition in a ‘Tifgreen’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] putting green was studied in relation to fertility, fungicides, and clipping management. The effects of these practices were evaluated by measuring total thatch accumulation, lignin content of thatch, and soil microbial activity.Two sources of N, (NH4)2SO4 and activated sewage sludge (Milorganite), were applied at rates 0.25 and 0.75 kg/100 m2 every 2 weeks. Potassium was applied at two rates, 0 and 0.75 kg/100 m2, to each N treatment at 4‐week intervals. Fungicide treatments consisted of 0.18 kg/100 m2 of Manganese ethylene bisdithiocarbamate (Fore) and 0.12 kg/100 m2 of Tetramethythiuram disulfide (Tersan OM) applied alternately at 2‐week intervals. For the clipping management treatments, grass clippings were collected from some plots and left on others during each mowing.The high level of N increased thatch accumulation 30% and lignin content 15% and decreased microbial activity 6% as compared to the low level of N. The Milorganite treatments decreased thatch accumulation and lignin 12% and increased microbial activity 3% as compared to the (NH4)2SO4 treatments. Differences may largely explained by influence of N on growth rates. Application of K had no influence on any of the parameters measured. Fungicide treatments decreased thatch accumulation 16% and lignin content 20% and increased microbial activity 30%; these treatments may have inhibited plant growth. Clipping residue treatments increased lignin 7% and decreased microbial activity 7% as compared to a control. This study suggests that the use of a slow‐release N fertilizer applied at a level that maintains acceptable aesthetic turf quality may reduce thatch accumulation, whereas high rates of soluble N fertilizers accelerate thatch accumulation.

Cultural Management and Nitrogen Source Effects on Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Cultivars

“…There were no differences in thatch depth due to N source (sewage sludge or NH 4 NO 3 ). Conversely, other research suggested that slow‐release N sources sometimes reduced thatch, as compared to soluble N sources (Meinhold et al, 1973; Sartain, 1985). In our study N source had no effect on thatch depth.…”

“…Of these cultural practices, only topeither had the highest shoot density or was in the top dressing significantly affected thatch ϩ mat depth, with group of cultivars with high shoot densities. In general, more thatch ϩ mat in the plots that were topdressed 4 over two years of sampling, shoot densities of the bertimes a year (White and Dickens, 1984). There were no mudagrasses followed the following trend: Champion differences in thatch depth due to N source (sewage and Mobile 9 with highest shoot densities; TifEagle, sludge or NH 4 NO 3 ).…”

Ineffectiveness of Commercial Microorganism Inoculum in Breaking Down Thatch in Common Bermudagrass in Hawaii1

“…Extensive research is being carried out in the Mediterranean region and in California, the main goal of which is to decrease the amount of labor needed for olive harvesting. Efforts to decrease labor consumption are directed along two channels: via a mechanical solution (8, 13), a chemical solution (4,6,10,11) , and a combination of the two (2, 7,…”