SAND ROOTZONES FOR KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS

Abstract

The growth and development of Kentucky bluegrass was studied for 3 yr on eight sand blends consisting of variable particle sizes. All were perched over a coarse layer (6–12 mm diam). No differences in germination, establishment, or color over the 3 yr were observed. Without turf the hydraulic conductivity varied greatly in the sand blends. The high conductivity levels were greatly reduced with the developing turf. There was greater downward water movement in those plots with most of the finer particles removed and this greater percolation continued throughout the experiment as the turf developed. In the compacted plots, however, significant differences in percolation rates had disappeared by the third year. When most of the finer particles had been removed, there was a trend toward less total root production with a redistribution of roots to the middle portions of the profiles. This trend was more evident on the compacted plots. The study demonstrated that developing turf has an ameliorating effect on hydraulic conductivity on these vastly different sand blends and suggests that sands, even though not in the recommended range of particle size, can still offer relief to the compaction, drainage, and root growth problems encountered in Kentucky bluegrass playing fields.Key words: Poa pratensis, perched water table, hydraulic conductivity, root growth, compaction