RESEARCH NEWS
PROJECT NAME:
PROJECT NAME:
Mowing height and irrigation effects on above ground biomass production of Schedonorus arundinaceus
The impact of aluminum dock sections on creeping bentgrass greens coming out of winter
How the MTF funding will be used to support project(s): Support funding allowed researchers to evaluate the effects of mowing height on tall fescue biomass production in summer 2020.
Results and Methods: We mowed plots to three treatment HOC’s [5.08, 6.35 and 7.62 cm] and collected clippings to determine which HOC produced the greatest above ground biomass. In general, 5.08 and 7.62 cm mowing height treatments consistently produced the greatest and lowest biomass yields, respectively. With few exceptions, results were consistent between irrigated and non-irrigated trials. For tall fescue, findings suggest an inverse relationship between height of cut (HOC) and aboveground biomass production. Regardless of irrigation, tall fescue clipping yields declined when mown at a greater HOC.
Project Update: This project was written into an article and submitted to the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. The manuscript was accepted in December 2024, and we are awaiting publication in 2025.
How the MTF funding will be used to support project(s): Support funding purchased three aluminum dock pieces in the late fall of 2024.
Results and Methods: Nikolai went to a local marina and purchased 3 scab aluminum dock sections. We placed them on a bentgrass/poa green area at the HTRC in hopes of increasing spring green up as observed at Burt Lake in the spring of 2024.
Project Update: Please see images below. Grad Student(s) Involved: None. This is Nikolai and Galbraith at their craziest. Image 1. Notice the turfgrass within the aluminum boat hoist in the spring of 2024 is growing at an accelerated pace compared to the grass outside of the hoist.
Images 2 & 3. On the left is initiation of the study by placing aluminum dock frames on creeping bentgrass/poa research green at the HTRC. The image on the right is the plots during the winter.
Grad Student(s) Involved: Mike Rabe
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