Evaluation of annual effect of selected cultivation programs for the management of creeping bentgrass putting greens in the transition zone

Abstract

AbstractCultivation is commonly used to improve or maintain soil physical properties and reduce organic matter (OM) of golf putting greens. Surface disruption after cultivation is a major concern of golf course superintendents. Less invasive cultivation techniques are increasingly practiced, but there is limited research examining their effectiveness. This study was conducted to investigate the annual effect of air‐injection cultivation (AIC) and sand‐injection cultivation (SIC) alone or in combination with hollow‐tine cultivation (HTC) on soil moisture content, surface firmness, water infiltration rate, OM content, and soil oxygen (O2). The experiment was conducted over 2 years on a sand‐based putting green located at the Oklahoma State University Turfgrass Research Center in Stillwater, OK. HTC alone or in combination with AIC or SIC reduced soil moisture content, reduced surface firmness, and increased infiltration rates. Neither SIC nor AIC affected soil moisture, surface firmness, and infiltration rate, compared to the untreated control. AIC did not increase soil (O2) concentration, compared to the untreated control. Results suggest annual cultivation programs should not rely strictly on SIC or AIC, but these alternative practices may be useful supplements to HTC.