How can I help turf recover quickly from aerification?
Aerification is necessary for the turf, but is a major frustration to golfers and
course managers. The loss in rounds playedcan be very costly to the course, so everyone
is in a hurry to get it done and return the playing surface to ideal playingconditions.
In the past, superintendents used nitrogen to speed up the lateral growth of the
turf in order to fill in theholes. The weak, nitrogen-driven growth made the turf
more susceptible to diseases. Disease outbreaks are very commonfollowing aeration
because of the combination of mechanical stress and poor cellular strength.
The need for mechanical aerification is well documented and its benefits are demonstrated
daily. Simply, the plant musthave oxygen for respiration and the soil must have
it for microbial activity. However, the mechanical action of aerification(shearing
roots) along with the resulting change in soil structure also induces stresses.
It is true that aerification opens theholes for air and water movement down but
certain environmental conditions can also turn those same holes into vents toallow
oxygen to escape back into the atmosphere or reduce availability to the roots.
Did you know that oxygen must be dissolved in the soil solution before the roots
can take it in? It follows then, thatchanges in solubility conditions can severely
limit oxygen uptake. Here are some factors that make oxygen less availableto the
plant as a result of aerification holes:
• Increasing Temperatures – Daytime temps over 80˚F (27˚C) reduce O2 solubility
by 30%.
• Falling Barometric Pressure – An approaching low pressure system can reduce
O2 solubility by 3%.
• Increasing Salt Content – An increase in EC of 1 point can reduce oxygen
solubility by 3%.
SOLUTIONS
1. Get holes filled ASAP.
Encourage root development to fill the holes and restore the capillary pore space.
This eliminates the large "pipeline"vents that may reduce the oxygen availability.
New root growth will promote the building of mature proteins and thebalanced soil
profile will encourage further root development and microbial health.
• FloratinePK Fight – energy source for root development
• FloratineRenaissance – micronutrients for proper
enzyme function and protein building
Note: Angular sand is excellent for soil structure, but excessive brushing of angular
sand can lead to an extraordinaryamount of wounding. These wounds contribute to
disease susceptibility. It is always wise to use Turgor prior to aeration,topdressing,
and brushing.
2. Knit quickly (without excessive nitrogen).
Recovery of the aeration holes not only provides a smoother putting surface but
also gives the plant more green tissueto build the necessary photosynthetic products
to encourage plant health. A tightly knitted canopy will also keep the soiltemperature
better regulated.
• FloratinePer "4" Max – balanced bio-stimulant chemistry
to promote lateral growth
• FloratinePower 23-0-0 and Power 24-0-0 – controlled
growth with proper N balance and organic acid translocation technology