Stress management on golf greens during the summer
By Alistair
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Managing turf stress on golf greens is crucial for maintaining healthy, high-performing putting surfaces. Here, Henry Bechelet looks at the key considerations for improving the stress tolerance of golf greens during the summer.
Undue turf stress can directly result in significant turf decline and it can also contribute to the development of damaging diseases.
ICL understands the importance of this challenge and offers a comprehensive range of products, along with advisory support, to help you develop effective stress maintenance strategies.
There are a number of key considerations for improving the stress tolerance of golf greens during the summer.
Water management
Water management is one of the most crucial aspects of summer stress mitigation on turf. Our aim is to manage soil moisture contents at levels that are appropriate to the type of turf.
Implementing the use of high-quality surfactants like H2Pro TriSmart or Qualibra, combined with consistent soil moisture monitoring and the focussed hand watering of drying areas, can help ensure that the turf stays healthy and resilient.
Quality surfactants can improve water penetration, distribution and retention in the rootzone and prevent water repellency developing.
This helps us to maintain our desired moisture levels, avoid the development of localised dry spots and also reduce the background level of stress.
Nutritional support
Proper nutrition plays an important role when reducing the plant’s vulnerability to stress, during high-pressure summer conditions when we might experience hot and dry weather.
Supplying sufficient levels of nitrogen and potassium are important considerations but any kind of nutritional deficiency should be avoided.
Liquid applications containing nitrogen and potassium would commonly be used during the summer to support plant health and aid stress tolerance.
Granular applications are also becoming increasingly popular because they can provide a more substantial nutritional boost at this time.
The popularity of granular applications is increasing
From ICL, the slow-release Sierraform GT K-STEP 6-0-27 +TE and Greenmaster Pro-Lite Double K CalMag 7-0-14 formulations would be industry standards for the task of summer stress management.
We also think that hybrid fertiliser like Gronamic Golf 6-2-4, which blends mineral and organic nutrients with a biostimulant, is well-suited for this task.
The fertiliser’s 50 percent plant-based organic composition helps supply a slow release of nitrogen and the mineral components like struvite and polyhalite supply phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium, which are crucial for root development, stress tolerance and plant growth.
Optimal mowing practices
Mowing too low can significantly impact plant health and root development, leading to weak and stressed turf.
Finding the optimal cutting height that minimises stress without compromising playability is essential. An overly low height not only weakens the grass blades but also impairs the root system, leaving greens susceptible to disease and environmental stressors.
Find the optimal cutting height
Complementary practices like turf ironing, topdressing and plant growth regulators (PGRs) can further refine and enhance your mowing strategy. Regular topdressing helps maintain surface smoothness and firmness, providing quality playing conditions without overly reducing mowing heights.
Utilise plant growth regulators
Primo Maxx II has proven extremely effective at improving drought and heat tolerance, stimulating root growth and reducing mowing frequency.
It helps to moderate growth rates, allowing turf managers to maintain consistent playing surfaces while reducing stress on the plants.
Turf pigments
Specialist turf pigments like Ryder from Syngenta can help protect turf from harmful UV rays and excessive light, whilst also delivering improved turf quality.
The “fortnightly” tank mix containing Primo Maxx II, Ryder and Vitalnova Stressbuster is a particularly effective combination.
Long-term sward composition strategy
Switching to more resilient grass species over time may form part of a broader, long-term strategy. ICL’s advisors can assist in helping course managers to transition the greens towards more resilient species, enhancing stress tolerance and improving year-round performance.
For instance, moving from annual meadow grass to fescues or bentgrass, which have naturally higher drought and disease resistance, can strengthen greens over time.
This transition requires careful planning and patience. Sward composition changes should align with overall maintenance strategies, and adjustments to irrigation, mowing and nutritional programmes will be necessary to support the new species. While this process demands commitment and expertise, the long-term benefits include more robust turf that requires less intensive maintenance.
Conclusion
Managing stress on golf greens requires a strategic approach that blends effective cultural practices with the right technologies. Optimal mowing practices, precise water management, proper nutrition and a long-term sward composition strategy are all key components.
Together, these strategies can reduce stress and associated risks, such as disease outbreaks, while maintaining a high-quality playing surface.
ICL is committed to providing tools and support to help you build comprehensive maintenance programmes aligned with your quality objectives.
Our range of fertilisers, surfactants and PGRs, supported by expert advisory services, ensures that your greens will withstand the challenges of summer stress. Reach out to ICL to discuss how we can tailor a stress management strategy that helps your greens perform to the highest level.
Henry Bechelet is technical sales manager in the UK & Ireland for ICL’s turf and landscape business. Henry has been in the turf industry for over 25 years. He originally trained as an agricultural agronomist but then joined the turfgrass industry as a trainee agronomist in the early 90s. Henry has spent roughly half his career engaged in independent consultancy and the other half on the commercial side of the industry. Over the years Henry has built a reputation as being an enthusiastic and entertaining presenter who has always been very progressive in his views
By Alistair
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