Progress 05/01/12 to 05/01/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Scientists, Golf Course Superintendents, and Athletic Field managers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Throughout the period of this project annual presentations were made to professionals and scientists that work in the Turfgrass Industry annual at both the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation Field Days and Conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Through oral presentations andindustry reports. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A large-scale study was done on theIntramural Fields at IM East at Michigan State University where the sports fields were modified and improved by installing subsurface drainage at 3 meter spacing, backfilling the trenches with high sand content root zone material characterized within this project, and then aggressively topdressed with the same high sand content root zone material. After 6 weeks of topdressing, approximately 52 mm of material was applied, the fields were allowed to recover for approximately one month, and then were used for football and soccer play in the Fall season. An additional 25 mm of root zone material was applied, after aggressive core cultivation, to the fields the next Spring season to total 77 mm of topdressed material. Calcined clay (a soil amendment) was added at 10% by volume to the high-sand content material used in the drainage trenches. Calcined clays increase the water-holding and nutrient retention of sandy materials. The calcined clay addition did not decrease the rate of drainage but did improve water retention where the drainage trenches were not detectable during dry periods of the year. TheModification of the fieldswas a big success with increased playability throughmore rapid waterdrainage and a turfgrass surface that remains playable for a longer period of time.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Green, T. O., J. N. III Rogers, T. A. Nikolai, J. R. Crum, and J. M. Jr. Vargas. 2015. Effects of lightweight rolling and sand topdressing on the severity of dollar spot infection and quality of turfgrass on golf course fairways. News Notes [Michigan Turfgrass Foundation]. 7(1):p. 34.
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences included turf scientists and turf professionals. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This study was primarily done by an undergraduate student at Michigan State University. This work has allowed the student to more clearly define his academic goals and is now enrolled in Graduate School at Michigan State University. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
When establishing, or reestablishing, turfgrass on performance fields it is important to eradicate difficult to control plant species. This project demonstrated one way to control these unwanted plant species.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences included turf scientists and turf professionals. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This study was primarily done by an undergraduate student at Michigan State University. This work has allowed the student to more clearly define his academic goals and contribute to science. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This project contributed to improving the performance of golf and athletic fields.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Over the next reporting period the laboratory portion of the study will be concluded, the results from the field and laboratory will be analyzed, and publications will be started.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The current project is investigating the properties of Histosols, or Organic soils. Many times materials high in organic matter (peat or muck) are added to high sand-content soils as amendments to improve their physical and/or chemical proerties. The research underway will help understand organic soil properties.
Publications
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Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Undergraduate students were involved in the soil sampling, sample preparation, and laboratory analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Although there has been much research into wind erosion processes and prediction on mineral soils, only a few studies have been conducted on organic soils. Estimating wind erosion on organic soils has been determined as a critical need for the Wind Erosion Prediction models. Organic matter content of soils can potentially affect soil properties. Abrasion resistance of soil crusts and aggregates to wind-blown soil particles, the size distribution of aggregates, and the protection afforded by surface roughness are all components of a soil’s susceptibility to erosion by wind. Farming operations (e.g., tillage and planting) as well as weathering processes, primarily precipitation amount, have also been shown to affect changes in crusting (stability and loose erodible material), aggregate size distribution, dry aggregate stability, and ridge roughness in mineral soils as well as organic soils. A field study to determine the effects of organic-soil dominated properties, climate, and management on soil crust formation, aggregate size distribution, dry aggregate stability, and surface roughness was initiated in Michigan. Three field sites where selected in November of 2011 to provide a wide range in soil organic matter content. The sites were visited and sampled approximately every two weeks to capture seasonal differences in erodibility in the late fall of 2011 and early spring of 2012. Sampling continued in the late fall of 2012 and early spring and late fall of 2013. At each field site surface soil samples were taken, dried, and sent to the National Wind Erosion Laboratory for further analyses. Also recorded were surface roughness, field conditions, and weather data.
Publications
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Although there has been much research into wind erosion processes and prediction on mineral soils, only a few studies have been conducted on organic soils. Estimating wind erosion on organic soils has been determined as a critical need for the Wind Erosion Prediction models. Organic matter content of soils can potentially affect soil properties. Abrasion resistance of soil crusts and aggregates to wind-blown soil particles, the size distribution of aggregates, and the protection afforded by surface roughness are all components of a soil's susceptibility to erosion by wind. Farming operations (e.g., tillage and planting) as well as weathering processes, primarily precipitation amount, have also been shown to affect changes in crusting (stability and loose erodible material), aggregate size distribution, dry aggregate stability, and ridge roughness in mineral soils as well as organic soils. A field study to determine the effects of organic-soil dominated properties, climate, and management on soil crust formation, aggregate size distribution, dry aggregate stability, and surface roughness was initiated in Michigan. Three field sites where selected in November of 2011 to provide a wide range in soil organic matter content. The sites were visited and sampled approximately every two weeks to capture seasonal differences in how susceptible organic soils are to wind erosion in the late fall of 2011 and early spring of 2012. Sampling will continue in the late fall of 2012 and early spring of 2013. At each field site surface soil samples were taken, dried, and sent to the National Wind Erosion Laboratory for further analyses. Also recorded were surface roughness, field conditions, and weather data. PARTICIPANTS: The project being reported is a cooperative project between the Engineering and Wind Erosion Research Unit(EWERU), Agricultural Research Service, USDA and Michigan State University. The personnel involved from the EWERU are Dr. John Tatarko and Dr. Larry Wagner. Two undergraduate students, Mr. Carson Letot and Mr. Jordan Holcomb, worked extensively to collect, process, and send soil samples to Dr. John Tatarko in Manhattan, KS. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The study is in its first year of three sampling seasons. The samples have been analyzed, the data recorded, and waiting for two more years of data before complete analyses are done. Preliminary results indicate strong positive correlation between soil organic matter content of Organic Soils and their susceptibility to wind erosion.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Sand topdressing and crumb rubber can be used to improve native soil athletic field playability. However, there is a wide range in the physical properties, price and availability of these materials. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of various topdressing materials on the autumn wear tolerance and surface stability of a well-established Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) stand. Research was conducted on a sandy loam textured soil in East Lansing, MI, to evaluate the effects of four different sand-based materials, with a range of physical properties, crumb rubber, a treatment that received sand then crumb rubber and a non-topdressed control. In the first summer, 4.8 cm of sand-based topdressing material, 2.4 cm of crumb rubber, and 2.4 cm of sand then 2.4 cm of crumb rubber was accumulated over their respective plots. Turf was subjected to simulated traffic using the Cady traffic simulator from mid-October through mid-November. In 2009, topdressing applications and subsequent traffic were repeated on the same experimental plots. Visual percent living ground cover (0-100%) and Clegg turf shear tester (TST) strength were measured. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Where no treatments were applied, the control, produced some of the greatest turf shear tester strength and at the same time provided the lowest turfgrass cover, 46.7% in 2008 and 35.0% in 2009. Crumb rubber, while being the most expensive topdressing material, provided the greatest turfgrass cover, 85.0% in 2008 and 90.0% in 2009. All sands provided comparable living ground cover and turf shear tester strength with the exception of a poorly-graded sand, which produced the lowest shear tester strength values in 2008.
Publications
- Kowalewski, A.R., J.R. Crum, J.N. Rogers III and J.C. Dunne. 2011. Improving native soil athletic fields with intercept drain tile installation and subsequent sand topdressing applications. Soil Sci. 176(3):1-7.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In efforts to reduce renovation costs of failing native soil athletic fields, researchers have been exploring drain tile installation and subsequent sand topdressing applications, providing a built-up sand-based system, without disrupting field use. Sand-based root zones provide rapid infiltration while drain tiles provide rapid subsurface drainage of excessive water. The objective of this research was to establish optimum drain tile spacing, in combination with sand topdressing, necessary to prevent prolonged soil saturation. An RCBD field study on a sandy loam soil in East Lansing, MI was seeded May 29, 2007 with a 90% Poa pratensis L. - 10% Lolium perenne L. mixture. Factors were cumulative topdressing applications and drain tile spacing. Topdressing applications consisted of a well-graded sand-based material (90% sand - 10% silt/clay) applied 0, 2, and 4 times annually at a rate of 11.5 kg m-2. Drain tiles were spaced 2, 3, 4 and 6 m apart installed perpendicular to a 1.0% slope and were compared to an 8.14 m long control without drain tiles. Treatment boxes, 1.7 m wide x 2.14 - 8.14 m long x 0.4 m deep, had a series of collection pipes installed to collect surface runoff, tile drainage, and subsoil infiltration. All drain tile spacing prevented significant surface runoff in comparison to the control after 1.3 cm (17 min) irrigation events. Drain tile spacing up to 4 m apart reduced surface moisture in comparison to the control following 1.3 cm irrigation events. Two topdressing applications totaling 23 kg m-2 decreased surface moisture by up to 38, 41, and 49%, observed 1, 2 and 4 hrs, respectively, after 1.3 cm irrigation events. Results suggest that drain tiles spaced up to 4 m apart and 23 kg m-2 of topdressing will keep surface field conditions relatively dry. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The Intramural Fields at IM East at Michigan State University were modified and improved by installing subsurface drainage at 3 meter spacing, backfilling the trenches with high sand content root zone material, and then aggressively topdressing with the same high sand content root zone material. After 6 weeks of topdressing approximately 52 mm of material was applied, the fields were allowed to recover for approximately one month, and then were used for football and soccer play in the fall of 2009. An additional 25 mm of root zone material was applied, after aggressive core cultivation, to the fields in June 2010 to total 77 mm of topdressed material. Modification of the fields has been a big success.
Publications
- Kowalewski, Alexander R.; Rogers, John N. III; Crum, James R.; Dunne, Jeffrey C. 2010. Sand topdressing applications improve shear strength and turfgrass density on trafficked athletic fields. HortTechnology. October. 20(5): p. 867-872.
- Kowalewski, Alexander; Rogers, John III; Crum, James; Dunne, Jeffrey. 2010. Selecting the proper topdressing material for high traffic areas. 2010 International Annual Meetings: [Abstracts][ASA-CSSA-SSSA]. p. 58458.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Football, soccer, softball, and baseball fields are generally constructed using the native soil at the location of the field. After construction of the field the soil physical properties of these athletic fields are generally not ideally suited for this use and failures occur. The ideal soil for an athletic field drains excess water quickly and effectively, supports vigorous turfgrass growth, and is stable and supports the games played on the field. Few native soils can provide all these aspects and as the demand for better playing conditions increase the native soil on athletic fields must be changed or amended. Constructing new athletic fields with high sand content root zones are expensive and not within the budgets of most organizations. Therefore, an alternative is being investigated to amend the soil on athletic fields relatively slowly, keep the fields in play, and greatly improve their performance. Research has been conducted to aggressively topdress athletic fields with high sand content root zone material at the rate of 6.5 mm of material per application with up to 8 applications being made over a 6 week period on existing athletic fields. Within a short 6 week period more than 52 mm of high sand content root zone material can be added greatly improving the soil properties and the playability of the athletic field. Our findings show the existing turfgrass on the athletic field continues to grow, develop, and improve with the topdressings. Our suggestion is for facilities to adopt the aggressive topdressing program for several years, spread the costs over the time, and greatly improve the performance of their facilities. After an adequate layer of root zone (52 mm) has been accumulated, light topdressing (6.5 mm annually) and annual cultivation should be done to prevent the accumulation of organic matter on the playing surface. For best results the selected cultivation method should be coupled with root zone topdressing. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience included university, college, high school, and recreational facility managers to cost effectively improve the athletic fields they manage. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The Intramural Fields at IM East at Michigan State University were modified and improved by installing subsurface drainage at 3 meter spacing, backfilling the trenches with high sand content root zone material, and then aggressively topdressing with the same high sand content root zone material. After 6 weeks of topdressing approximately 52 mm of material was applied, the fields were allowed to recover for approximately one month, and then were used for football and soccer play in the fall of 2008. An additional 25 mm of root zone material was applied, after aggressive core cultivation, to the fields in June 2009 to total 77 mm of topdressed material. Modification of the fields has been a big success.
Publications
- Kowalewski, Alec; Crum, James R.; Rogers, John N. 2009. Improving native soil athletic field drainage 1. Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Website. p. 1-25.
- Kowalewski, Alec; Crum, J. R.; Rogers, J. N. 2009. Improving native soil athletic field drainage 2: Sand cap build-up systems for Michigan high school fields. Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Website. p. 1-8.
- Kowalewski, Alexander R.; Crum, James R.; Rogers, John N. III. 2009. Improving native soil athletic field drainage. SportsTurf. July. 25(7): p. 42-45
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Football, soccer, softball, and baseball fields are generally constructed using the native soil at the location of the field. After construction the soil physical properties of these athletic fields are generally not ideally suited for this use and failures occur. The ideal soil for an athletic field drains excess water quickly and effectively, supports vigorous turfgrass growth, and is stable and supports the games played on the field. Few native soils can provide all these aspects and as the demand for better playing conditions increase the native soil on athletic fields must be changed or amended. Constructing new athletic fields with high sand content root zones are expensive and not within the budgets of most organizations. Therefore, an alternative is being investigated to amend the soil on athletic fields relatively slowly, keep the fields in play, and greatly improve their performance. Research is now being conducted to aggressively topdress athletic fields with high sand content root zone material at the rate of 6.5 mm of root zone material per application with up to 8 applications being made over a 6 week period on existing athletic fields. Within a short 6 week period more than 52 mm of high sand content root zone material can be added greatly improving the soil properties and the playability of the athletic field. Our findings show the existing turfgrass on the athletic field continues to grow, develop, and improve with the topdressings. Our suggestion is for facilities to adopt the aggressive topdressing program for several years, spread the costs over the time, and greatly improve the performance of their facilities. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience included university, college, high school, and recreational facility managers to cost effectively improve the athletic fields they manage PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The Intramural Fields of IM East at Michigan State University were modified and improved by installing subsurface drainage at 3 meter spacing, backfilling the trenches with high sand content root zone material, and then aggressively topdressing with the same high sand content root zone material. After 6 weeks of topdressing approximately 52 mm of material was applied, the fields were allowed to recover for approximately one month, and then were used for football and soccer play in the fall of 2008. Modification of the fields was a big success.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
A demonstration project was initiated during the spring of 2007 at a local High School and that project was the focus of half-day training session about low cost ways to improve athletic field performance. That training session was held in August of 2007 in conjunction with our Turfgrass Field Day.
Impacts
Most athletic fields are simply constructed and consist of the native soil at the location of the field. The ideal soil for an athletic field drains excess water quickly and effectively, support vigorous turfgrass growth, and is stable and supports the games played on the field. Few native soils can provide all these aspects and as the demand for better playing conditions increase the native soil on athletic fields must be changed or amended. Constructing new athletic fields with high sand content root zones are expensive and not within the budgets of most organizations. Therefore, an alternative is being investigated to amend the soil on athletic fields relatively slowly, keep the fields in play, and greatly improve their performance. Research is now being conducted to aggressively topdress athletic fields with high sand content root zone material at the rate of 6.5 mm of root zone material per application with 4 applications being made over a 4 week period on existing
athletic fields. Within a short 4 week period more than 25 mm of high sand content root zone material can be added greatly improving the soil properties and the playability of the athletic field. Our findings show the existing turfgrass on the athletic field continues to grow, develop, and improve with the topdressings. Our suggestion is for facilities to adopt the aggressive topdressing program for several years, spread the costs over the years, and greatly improve the performance of their facilities.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Organic matter is an important soil component that can increase the plant available water-holding capacity and cation exchange capacity. But, on sandy root zones the accumulation of organic matter can significantly change pore-size distribution and affect water storage and movement in the soil. Turfgrasses, particularly under high management regimes, can produce significant amounts of thatch and organic matter at the interface of the soil and plant system. Over the last three years, two soil types (100 % sand and a blend of 90 % sand and 10 % silt+clay) have been managed under a high-management regime where one treatment consisted of the return or removal of grass clippings during mowing. Measurements of thatch accumulation and organic matter accumulation with soil depth were determined in May, August, and November of each of the past three years. We expected to measure greater amounts of thatch and more organic matter on both soils with the grass clipping returned as
compared to removing the grass clipping. We actually found, although somewhat spurious, greater amounts of soil organic matter when the grass clippings were removed as compared to when they were returned. There were no differences in thatch or organic matter accumulation on the two soils used in the experiment. Our working hypothesis is sandy soils with low organic matter contents have low soil nitrogen contents. The removal of the clippings removes nitrogen from the turf/soil system slowing the decomposition and increasing organic matter in the soil.
Impacts
These results indicate the return of grass clippings do not lead to accelerated accumulation of thatch and soil organic matter, but in very sandy soils might even slow the accumulation. Grass clippings should be returned to the lawn, not taken to a landfill, so efficient use of immobilized nutrients can take place.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Athletic field root zones are built with high sand content materials primarily to maintain drainage and macroporosity with compaction. However, these materials can also create problems due to their lack of strength. The objective of this study was to develop a better understanding of how particle size distribution and water content at compaction affect the strength and the hydraulic conductivity of high sand content root zones. One sand and one sandy loam textured soil were mixed in various proportions to produce seven mixtures. The sand/soil mixtures were subjected to four tests: standard Proctor compaction test, modified California bearing ratio, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and pore size distribution. The sand/soil mixtures were compacted at three water contents (5%, 9%, 13% kg kg-1) for mixes containing 2%, 5%, 7%, 8% silt + clay and at five water contents (5%, 7%, 9%, 11%, 13% kg kg-1) for mixes containing 10%, 12%, 15%, 19% silt + clay. For mixes containing
10% and 12% silt + clay, compacted at 5% water content, more than 100% increase in strength was observed over sand alone while maintaining hydraulic conductivity values of 19.0 and 8.5 cm h-1, respectively. The lowest hydraulic conductivity values occurred when the mixes were compacted at 13% water content. This reduction in hydraulic conductivity is likely attributed to the size distribution and pore continuity. As water content at compaction increased, air-filled porosity decreased and capillary porosity increased. The severe reduction in hydraulic conductivity associated with increasing silt+clay content and increasing water content illustrates a very important point. Root zones containing more than 5% silt+clay should not be compacted if the water content exceeds 5%. Subsequent surface compaction that will occur during normal use can be managed through aggressive core cultivation.
Impacts
Because of extended playing seasons and high expectations of athletic fields high sand content root zones are being used on football and soccer fields. Our results suggest these root zones should contain at least 90% well-graded sand and put in place on the field only when the water content is relatively low, about 5% water content.
Publications
- Henderson, J. J., Crum, J. R., Wolff, T. F. and Rogers, J. N. III. 2005. Effects of particle size distribution and water content at compaction on saturated hydraulic conductivity and strength of high sand content root zone materials. Soil Science. 170(5):315-324.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Athletic fields and golf courses receive intensive traffic (both machine and foot) under all kinds of climatic conditions during all times of the year on soils that vary widely in their properties. To have a healthy, high quality turfgrass stand it is important to have soils that drain effectively, hold adequate quantities of plant available water, and can retain and release plant nutrients to the soil solution. Also within cold temperature climates, the addition of root zone heating will extend the playing season and improve turfgrass growth and recovery. The inclusions of electrical heating cables and hydraulic heating tubes have been installed in several athletic fields in the past with limited success. With the need for cultivation of athletic field root zones, the cables or hydraulic tubes must be placed 18 to 25 cm below the soil surface. At this depth it has been very difficult to modify the surface temperature of athletic fields when air temperatures are very
cold. When high sand content root zones are used on athletic fields that contain a large proportion of large macropores, perhaps forced-air heating systems could be employed. During 2004 we continued research to study the dynamics of air and heat flow through an ITM Modular Athletic Field system employed at Michigan State University. Air pressure requirements for flow to occur, the amount of energy required warming the upper 10 cm of the root zone under varying air temperatures, and the spatial patterns of heating have been observed and measured. Within the ITM athletic field, statistically significant soil temperatures occur as air temperatures decrease. Also, as the distance from the forced-air heat source increases, soil temperatures in the upper 10 cm of the field also decrease and the amount of temperature variability increases within the athletic field. The variables that seem to control the success of forced-air heating of athletic fields are: air temperature; soil temperature;
soil moisture content; and the presence of a cover on the field. Heating by forced-air seems realistic. Although the data are preliminary, strong spatial patterns of flow seem to exist and further study needs to be done to understand these patterns.
Impacts
Within cold temperature climates, athletic fields soil temperatures often are too cold to support turfgrass growth, or become very hard and unsafe if they freeze. We are studying the practicality of using heated forced air on high sand content athletic fields to improve turfgrass recovery and maintain safe playing surfaces even under very cold temperatures. Results from this research will be used in the design and maintenance of current and future athletic fields so safer conditions exist for the athletes that use the fields.
Publications
- Henderson J.J., Crum J.R., Wolff T.F., Rogers J.N. 2004. Effects of particle size distribution and water content at compaction on saturated hydraulic conductivity and strength of high sand content root zone materials. Soil Sci. (in press).
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Athletic fields and golf courses receive intensive traffic (both machine and foot) under all kinds of climatic conditions during all times of the year on soils that vary widely in their properties. To have a healthy, high quality turfgrass stand it is important to have soils that drain effectively, hold adequate quantities of plant available water, and can retain and release plant nutrients to the soil solution. Also within cold temperature climates, the addition of root zone heating will extend the playing season and improve turfgrass growth and recovery. The inclusions of electrical heating cables and hydraulic heating tubes have been installed in several athletic fields in the past with limited success. With the need for cultivation of athletic field root zones, the cables or hydraulic tubes must be placed 18 to 25 cm below the soil surface. At this depth it has been very difficult to modify the surface temperature of athletic fields when air temperatures are very
cold. When high sand content root zones are used on athletic fields that contain a large proportion of large macropores, perhaps forced-air heating systems could be employed. During 2003 we initiated research to study the dynamics of air and heat flow through an ITM Modular Athletic Field system employed at Michigan State University. To date, air pressure requirements for flow to occur, the amount of energy required warming the upper 10 cm of the root zone under varying air temperatures, and the spatial patterns of heating have been observed and measured. Heating by forced-air seems quite practical. Although the data are preliminary, strong spatial patterns of flow seem to exist and further study needs to be done to understand these patterns.
Impacts
Within cold temperature climates, athletic fields soil temperatures often are too cold to support turfgrass growth, or become very hard and unsafe if they freeze. We are studying the practicality of using heated forced air on high sand content athletic fields to improve turfgrass recovery and maintain safe playing surfaces even under very cold temperatures. Results from this research will be used in the design and maintenance of current and future athletic fields so safer conditions exist for the athletes that use the fields.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Athletic fields and golf courses receive intensive traffic (both machine and foot) under all kinds of climatic conditions during all times of the year on soils that vary widely in their properties. To have a healthy, high quality turfgrass stand it is important to have soils that drain effectively, hold adequate quantities of plant available water, and can retain and release plant nutrients to the soil solution. High sand content soils can retain macroporosity even under adverse conditions and retain relatively high hydraulic conductivities and soil oxygen contents under high moisture conditions. For this reason turfgrass managers will amend native soils with high sand content materials (such as topdressing with 100 % sand) or will use high sand content soils or mixtures in rootzones during construction. An example of a national organization that specifies the use of high sand content root zone materials is the United States Golf Association (USGA). One of the major
disadvantages of high sand content materials is the low plant available water holding capacities associated with these soils. A number of amendments to increase the amount of plant available water held by these soils have been developed and used. We have implemented an experiment to determine the effectiveness of including a water-absorbing polymer (Hydrozone) to high sand content soils in golf putting greens to increase the amount of plant available water held, especially in the higher elevations of putting greens. In previous research it was shown the inclusion of the water-absorbing polymer Hydrozone increases laboratory-measured plant-available-water. In 2002 field experiments were conducted to determine if the increased soil water lead to increased turfgrass establishment, and after establishment whether the increased soil water was plant-available. To test establishment rate, experiments involving turf establishment from seed and from harvested sod were completed. To test sod
establishment, Hydrozone was incorporated into a 100% sand root zone at the rates of 0, 1, 2, and 4 pounds of material per 100 square feet. Kentucky Bluegrass sod was then put on the plots and the amount of force required to dislodge the sod from the soil was measured at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after placement. Our results showed significantly more force was required to dislodge the sod established on the sand amended with 4 pounds of Hydrozone on all measurement dates. On one measurement date, significantly more force was required to dislodge the sod from the sand amended with 2 pounds of Hydrozone. To test turf establishment from seed, a high sand content root zone was amended with Hydrozone at 0, 1, 2, and 4 pounds per 100 square feet and seeded with creeping bentgrass. The plots were visually rated once per week for 10 weeks during the summer of 2002. At the completion of the experiment no statistical differences existed between the treatments. We were surprised as major differences
between the treatments were evident throughout the season with the Hydrozone treatments appearing to have greater establishment rates.
Impacts
Amending high sand content root zones with a water absorbing polymer (Hydrozone) was tested to see if the increased water held by the polymer increased turf establishment rate. Our results indicate that in some instances turf establishment was increased with the inclusion of Hydrozone.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Athletic fields and golf courses receive intensive traffic (both machine and foot) under all kinds of climatic conditions during all times of the year on soils that vary widely in their properties. To have a healthy, high quality turfgrass stand it is important to have soils that drain effectively, hold adequate quantities of plant available water, and can retain and release plant nutrients to the soil solution. Many believe the relationship with soil water (drainage and retention) is the most critical factor contributing to turfgrass quality. With this in mind, soils are most susceptible to compaction when moisture contents are high because of the reduced frictional components in the soil mass. But, the turfgrass manager has little control on the scheduling of events on the fields or courses and even less control on the weather. Because of this, soil compaction can be a real problem on athletic fields, golf courses, and many other turfgrass areas. The negative
effects of compaction are a decrease in the amount of macropores (large pores that are air-filled at field-capacity) and an increase in the amount of micropores (smaller pores that are water-filled at field-capacity). Decreasing macroporosity decreases soil hydraulic conductivity and the amount of air-filled porosity at field- capacity. During wet periods of the year anaerobic conditions can persist inducing stress and possible death to the turfgrass. High sand content soils can retain macroporosity even under adverse conditions and retain relatively high hydraulic conductivities and soil oxygen contents under high moisture conditions. For this reason turfgrass managers will amend native soils with high sand content materials (such as topdressing with 100 % sand) or will use high sand content soils or mixtures in rootzones during construction. An example of a national organization that specifies the use of high sand content rootzone materials is the United States Golf Association
(USGA). One of the major disadvantages of high sand content materials is the low plant available water holding capacities associated with these soils. A number of amendments to increase the amount of plant available water held by these soils have been developed and used. We have implemented an experiment to determine the effectiveness of including a water-absorbing polymer (Hydrozone) to high sand content soils in golf putting greens to increase the amount of plant available water held, especially in the higher elevations of putting greens. In a replicated laboratory experiment, Hydrozone was incorporated at rates of 1 and 2 percent (by weight) and the volumetric water content determined at -1/3 bar matric potential (field capacity). Sand textured soil without Hydrozone contained 4.4 % water at Field Capacity, the same sand amended with 1 % Hydrozone contained 11.4 % water, and the same sand amended with 2 % Hydrozone contained 24.9 % volumetric water content at Field Capacity. The
addition of the water-absorbing polymer Hydrozone significantly increased the amount of plant available water held by the sand textured soil.
Impacts
Usage of athletic fields is dramatically increasing and effort to produce easily maintained, safe fields is important. This research demonstrates how stronger, safer, and more easily maintained athletic fields can be produced.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
To golf putting greens and natural grass athletic fields the soil's strength has been measured using the Modified California Bearing Ratio (CBR) testing device (ASTM 1883). Well-graded sands were capable of withstanding an ultimate peek pressure on the order of 45 psi. Poorly graded sands under the same conditions could only withstand peek pressures up to 25 psi. This is below the tire pressure found in some golf course maintenance vehicles and indicates that a golf putting green may suffer deformation during normal maintenance. To test soils in the field, a portable CBR device was developed. A typical response suggests the turfgrass and surface of the root-zone have less bearing capacity than the underlying sand. But, as the putting green is loaded and then unloaded, some consolidation of the thatch and sand occurs. Therefore, we have been successfully modeling the behavior of golf putting green surfaces as a series of springs. An upper set of softer springs
representing the upper thatch and soil and a lower set of springs representing the stiffer sand of the rootzone. The stiffness of the root-zone sand increases with higher coefficient of uniformity of the sand. The median grain size has no effect on the stiffness of the sand. Field tests show that the stiffness of the green is dependent on soil properties, but it also has increased strength and stiffness due to tensile strength. This suggests the turfgrass root system adds strength and stiffness to the elastic and plastic properties of the root-zone sand. For athletic fields, the rootzone bearing capacity for sports where large athletes put large stresses on the playing surface can be very important. We initiated a study to add fine (less than 0.05 mm) soil particles to high sand content material to increase the gradation and decrease the average particle size hopefully to increase the soil bearing capacity. As fine soil particles are added, an expected decrease in macroporosity and
decreased hydraulic conductivity were measured and evaluated. Eight mixtures of sand and topsoil were done yielding rootzone material ranging from 2% to 19% silt and clay. Each mixture was compacted at 5 water contents (5%, 7%, 9%, 11%, and 13%) and bearing capacity and saturated hydraulic conductivity were determined. Water content at compaction had a dramatic effect on the resultant properties of the rootzone materials. Basically, the drier the rootzone material when compaction occurs, the stronger the rootzone when measured by the Ultimate Bearing Capacity. Also, the drier the rootzone material when compacted, the greater the saturated hydraulic conductivity. The effect of the amount of fine particles added to the sand is quite dramatic also. Increasing the silt and clay contents from 2 to 10%, doubles the ultimate bearing capacity. Further increases to 19% silt and clay increases ultimate bearing capacity by a factor of ten (10).
Impacts
Usage of athletic fields is dramatically increasing and effort to produce easily maintained, safe fields is important. This research demonstrates how stronger, safer, and more easily maintained athletic fields can be produced.
Publications
- Henderson, J. J. 2000. Sand textured root zones in athletic fields: Turfgrass establishment and constituent selection based on agronomic and engineering properties. M.S. Thesis, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. 93 p.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
A direct measure of a soil's strength against failure under surface compressive load is its bearing capacity. This can be directly tested in the lab with the Modified California Bearing Ratio (CBR) testing device (ASTM 1883). The bearing capacity test was run approximately 290 times on sand samples under all types of conditions. The well-graded sands were capable of withstanding an ultimate pressure on the order of 45 psi. The poorly graded sands under the same conditions could only withstand pressures up to 25 psi. This is below the tire pressure found in some golf course maintenance vehicles and indicates that a golf putting green may suffer deformation during normal maintenance. To test soils in the field a portable CBR device was developed. A typical response suggests the turfgrass and surface of the root-zone have less bearing capacity than the underlying sand. But, as the putting green is loaded and then unloaded, some consolidation of the thatch and sand
occurs. When reloaded, the thatch and sand experience new, higher stresses, and will continue to consolidate until the sand begins to fail. Engineers often refer to the load and reload curve as an elastic rebound curve. Typically, engineers study soils at their failure conditions, governed by local shear strength and by general shear failure under a loaded area. Although we are interested in what soil properties contribute to increased bearing capacity, in this case we are more concerned about the behavior of the soil and golf putting green before failure. An advantage to modeling the golf putting green as a series of springs is that we can study the stiffness of the springs before a failure condition has been reached. Earlier, it was shown that ultimate bearing capacity increases with larger coefficient of uniformity and a decrease in the median and/or effective grain size. Initial testing also suggests that an increase in the coefficient of uniformity coincide with an increase in
the stiffness of the soil. This may be in fact due to further interlocking of grains as the smaller grains fill the void space between the larger grains, increasing inter-particle friction. Existing golf putting greens consistently have greater strength than sand measured in the laboratory. This suggests the turfgrass root system adds strength and stiffness to the elastic and plastic properties of the root-zone sand. This additional strength and stiffness is most likely due to the tensile strength of the root system that reduces local shear failure within the root-zone sand. Initial findings suggest that golf putting greens can be modeled as a soft spring over a stiff base that has some modulus, E. The modulus of the root-zone sand increases with higher coefficient of uniformity, Cu. Field tests show that the stiffness of the green is dependent on soil properties but it also has increased ductility due to tensile confinement applied by the thatch layer (i.e. the sand base can undergo
large deformations with no defined failure).
Impacts
Millions of dollars are spend annually on the contruction golf putting greens and athletic fields. Selecting the correct sand is critical to the success of the putting green or sports field. This research is defining the variables of sand that are important in predicting its behavior.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
A direct measure of a soil's strength against failure under surface compressive load is its bearing capacity. This can be directly tested in the lab with the Modified California Bearing Ratio (CBR) testing device (ASTM 1883). The bearing capacity test was run approximately 290 times on sand samples under all types of conditions. The well-graded sands were capable of withstanding an ultimate pressure on the order of 45 psi. The poorly graded sands under the same conditions could only withstand pressures up to 25 psi. This is below the tire pressure found in some golf course maintenance vehicles and indicates that a golf putting green may suffer deformation during normal maintenance. To test soils in the field a portable CBR device was developed. A typical response suggests the turfgrass and surface of the root-zone have less bearing capacity than the underlying sand. But, as the putting green is loaded and then unloaded, some consolidation of the thatch and sand
occurs. When reloaded, the thatch and sand experience new, higher stresses, and will continue to consolidate until the sand begins to fail. Engineers often refer to the load and reload curve as an elastic rebound curve. Typically, engineers study soils at their failure conditions, governed by local shear strength and by general shear failure under a loaded area. Although we are interested in what soil properties contribute to increased bearing capacity, in this case we are more concerned about the behavior of the soil and golf putting green before failure. An advantage to modeling the golf putting green as a series of springs is that we can study the stiffness of the springs before a failure condition has been reached. Earlier, it was shown that ultimate bearing capacity increases with larger coefficient of uniformity and a decrease in the median and/or effective grain size. Initial testing also suggests that an increase in the coefficient of uniformity coincide with an increase in
the stiffness of the soil. This may be in fact due to further interlocking of grains as the smaller grains fill the void space between the larger grains, increasing inter-particle friction. Existing golf putting greens consistently have greater strength than sand measured in the laboratory. This suggests the turfgrass root system adds strength and stiffness to the elastic and plastic properties of the root-zone sand. This additional strength and stiffness is most likely due to the tensile strength of the root system that reduces local shear failure within the root-zone sand. Initial findings suggest that golf putting greens can be modeled as an elastic spring that has some stiffness. The stiffness of the root-zone sand increases with higher coefficient of uniformity. The median grain size has no effect on the stiffness of the sand. Field tests show that the stiffness of the green is dependent on soil properties but it also has increased strength and stiffness due to tensile strength
contributed by the root structure. The short-term growing season of established root-zones have no effect on the stiffness of the putting green.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Crum, J.R., Wolff T.F., Miller M.S., Brink J.D. and Rogers, J.N. 1998. Engineering properties of high sand content rootzones. 1998 Annual Meeting Abstracts. American Society of Agronomy. p 243.
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Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97
Outputs
Six different sand gradations were made from a commonly available construction sand to study their variation in engineering behavior. Each gradation fit within the current USGA specifications for particle size. Three size categories, coarse, intermediate, and fine, and two gradation categories, high and low uniformity, were produced. These six sands were tested under various loading conditions in the laboratory to determine their friction angle and ultimate bearing capacity, both of which are measures of sand strength. A major reason for this testing was to determine how much variation in strength could be found among sand gradations all fitting within the currently accepted specifications. Friction angles, which are measures of soil strength (along with cohesion), were determined for each sand in the experimental matrix. The sands were tested in a direct shear box (ASTM D 3080) under a variety of moisture-compaction conditions. For each sand the dry-compacted and
dry-uncompacted conditions resulted in the higher friction angles, whereas the moist- uncompacted and moist-compacted samples had lower friction angles. Although small moisture contents and capillary tension may produce some apparent cohesion, moisture appears to have an overall negative effect on total strength of these sands. The ultimate bearing capacity of a soil is a direct measure of a soil's ability to carry a load without failure. To determine qult, a laboratory California Bearing Ratio (CBR) (ASTM D 1883) setup was adapted. A vertical load was applied to sand in a mold via a penetration piston. The results from this test included ultimate bearing pressure, qult, measured in pounds per square inch (psi), vs. deformation, measured in inches. As with the direct shear test, each of the six sands were tested with varying moisture-compaction conditions. The lab bearing tests were also performed with representative surcharge loads placed on the surface of the sand. By placing a
surcharge load on the testing surface, qult values increased. The ultimate bearing capacity is represented by the point along each curve of vertical displacement verses applied load which corresponds to the highest bearing pressure. Six tests were performed for each of the six experimental sands under eight different conditions per sand for a total of 288 bearing capacity tests. The results from each of the test series thus far shows as the grain size increases within the USGA specifications, the ultimate bearing capacity decreases. As sand particles become larger, strength decreases. Consequently, as the coefficient of uniformity increases so does the ultimate bearing capacity. This means that finer and more well-graded materials will have higher bearing capacities than more coarse, poorly-graded materials. As particle size decreases and the sand becomes more well-graded, the sand's density increases. Although each of the sands tested were within USGA specifications there was a
significant variance among sand strengths. Significant variations in bearing capacity can be found among similar sands even though they are within the USGA specifications
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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