Comparison between Different Rotary Mowing Systems: Testing a New Method to Calculate Turfgrass Mowing Quality

Michel Pirchio,Andrea Peruzzi,Lisa Caturegli,Luisa Martelloni,Michele Raffaelli,Fabio Labanca,Monica Gaetani,Simone Magni,Christian Frasconi,Marco Volterrani,Marco Fontanelli,Nicola Grossi

doi:10.3390/agriculture8100152

Abstract

Poor quality in turfgrass mowing is highlighted by the shredded leaf tips with necrotic tissues that give an unsightly brownish colour to the turf and may also lead to turf disease. Mowing quality is also typically assessed by visual rating, thus the score depends on the person doing the assessment. To make the evaluation of mowing quality not subjective, an innovative method was developed. The aim of the trial was to examine the effects of different mowing systems and two different nitrogen rates (100 and 200 kg ha−1) on two turfgrass species in order to test the new mowing quality calculation. Three different mowing systems were used: a battery-powered rotary mower set at 3000 rpm and 5000 rpm respectively and a gasoline-powered rotary mower set at full throttle. The battery-powered mower at low blade rpm produced a poorer mowing quality and turf quality than the gasoline-powered mower and battery-powered mower at high rpm, which produced a similar mowing quality and turf quality. Leaf tip damage level values showed a significant correlation with the results of the visual mowing quality assessment. Lower leaf tip damage level values (slightly above 1) corresponded to higher visual mowing quality scores (around 8).

Highlights

Mowing plays a key role in turfgrass management [1,2] and is one of the most frequent and intensive stresses for a turfgrass since it removes part of the photosynthetic leaf area [2]
On bermudagrass and tall fescue, the battery-powered mower revving at 5000 rpm and the gasoline-powered mower revving at 2800 rpm showed the same leaf tip damage levels
Considering the turf quality and mowing quality values produced by the three mowing systems studied in this work, a higher peripheral mower blade speed resulted in a higher turf quality and mowing quality values, irrespectively of the type of engine employed

Summary

Introduction

Mowing plays a key role in turfgrass management [1,2] and is one of the most frequent and intensive stresses for a turfgrass since it removes part of the photosynthetic leaf area [2]. The specific features of each turfgrass species should be considered when mowing the turf [1]. To produce the same amount of dry matter, warm-season species require less water, are more suitable for Mediterranean climates [3,4,5]. Some warm-season species are hard-to-mow such as zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) and bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) [3]. Mowers working on hard-to-mow sports turf species need to have their blades sharpened more frequently [8]. Hard-to-mow turf species have a high content of plant fibre hemi-cellulose that improves wear resistance [3,9]. Bermudagrass and its hybrid types are the most widespread warm-season species for golf course fairways and tees in the USA [10]. Bermudagrass and its hybrids are commonly used for various sports turf applications [11]

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Methods

Discussion

Conclusion