Grooming Frequency and Spacing Effects on a TifEagle Bermudagrass Putting Green

Abstract

Cultivation methods for the ultradwarf hybrid bermudagrasses (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt Davy) are relatively unstudied. The ultradwarf bermudagrasses, with their slow recovery from cultivation for thatch control, may be well-suited for a less severe type of vertical mowing, commonly called grooming. The objective of this research study was to examine the effects of grooming frequency and groomer blade spacing on the quality and agronomic performance of a TifEagle hybrid bermudagrass putting green. The 2 yr experiment was a randomized complete block design with 3 replications, with factorial treatments of grooming frequency (1x/week, 3x/week and 6x/week) and groomer blade spacing (6.4 and 12.8 mm). vi All treatments were applied with the groomers mounted in front of walking greens mowers, with all plots maintained at a 3.0 mm mowing height. In each year treatments were applied from May through Sept. Collected data included monthly quality, monthly shoot density, monthly clipping yield, and monthly dry mass of stolon and rhizomes. Yearly data collection included thatch depth, fall carbohydrate content, modified stimpmeter readings, and root mass. There was slight evidence that increased grooming frequency reduced dry weight of stolons and rhizomes. In general, grooming frequency and groomer spacing had little effect on shoot growth, clipping yield, color, quality or ball roll in this Tifeagle hybrid bermudagrass putting green.