transpiration) can often be greater than the irrigation system is capable of supplying, therefore other aspects of turfgrass maintenance have to be at a premium. Effective drainage has already been mentioned and the need to eliminate any compaction and reduce thatch levels to a minimum are of paramount importance, irrespective of existing grass species. Varied depth aeration along with varying forms of scarifying, verticutting and brushing etc. will allow for greater root development as well as improved passage of water to the underlying root-zone. This also has to be carried out in conjunction with top dressing, using either pure sand of a suitable quality or within a mix containing compost, peat or soil. This will help to keep the surface open and to further dilute any remaining thatch. In essence, good rooting forms the foundation of a healthy and drought tolerant sward. An effective and reliable irrigation system is also a must but the key is to supply water infrequently, but thoroughly enough, to water the root-zone. Little and often applications of water will eventually result in shallow rooting and thatch build-up. Natural rainfall does not fall in this way, therefore neither should irrigation! Hand watering is still the most effective method of directing water where it is most needed but it is more time consuming and labour intensive. Other aspects that can help during periods of drought are the use of wetting agents or penetrants. These can be applied monthly via a sprayer and then followed up via the use of a hand held hose gun containing a soluble gel or tablet. It is important that the surface be needle-tined, micro-tined or sarel rolled prior to such applications in order for


the water to penetrate the root-zone effectively.


Other management techniques include the height of cut being raised by around 0.5 mm and cutting less frequently, especially the perimeter cut. Rolling instead of mowing can be beneficial but care must be taken not to over-compact the surface. These actions reduce the stress to the plant and allow more of the plant to function. With regards to feeding and the use of soil amendments, the golden rule during drought conditions is to avoid using products with a high salt index such as ammonium sulphates. These products ‘suck’ the moisture from the soil and exacerbate the situation, often leading to dry patch. Foliar feeds containing low levels of Nitrogen and medium levels of Potash mixed with seaweed extracts give gentle encouragement to the plant as well as stress relief. Seaweeds are rich in Cytokinins (plant hormones) and aid the grass plant during these difficult periods. Other products or ‘tank mixes’ containing Magnesium, Calcium & Humic Acids are all beneficial in relieving plant stress. However, it is the basic fundamentals that need to be put in place and the many products on the market should be regarded as merely ‘additional tools’ and not seen as an alternative. The use of a growth retardant containing the ingredient trinexapac-ethyl has also helped by redirecting the plant’s growth downwards into the root system which, in turn, leads to improved drought tolerance. A common symptom of summer stress is the increased likelihood of disease, namely Anthracnose, followed by Fusarium, particularly towards the end of the season. This is due to the weakened cell wall structure of the plant after heat


and drought stress. The previously listed products help to alleviate this stress and improve the health of the turf. If the disease attack is sporadic then spot treatment with an approved fungicide mix will suffice but, if not, then a blanket spray will be required. Chemical control however is not the solution and the growing environment has to improve by adopting the practices previously listed. Where turf loss has occurred on greens following drought damage, it is a case of aerating, over-seeding and top dressing as well as raising the height of cut and then ensuring that the seed has sufficient moisture and nutrient to germinate. On tees the remedy is similar but, in many cases, the likelihood is a build-up of fibre just beneath the turf. Here, the addition of scarifying will be required. Many tees suffer from poor irrigation coverage, ie centre row positioned heads as opposed to side positions. Greater amounts of water are wasted and corners or sections of tees are often missed. On sand based tees, there is often a build-up of thatch, since cultural practices do not keep pace with this build-up and feeding programmes tend to be greater than what the turf requires. On fairways, turf loss can be quite dramatic in severe cases. The reasons for turf loss are usually a combination of fibre build-up, compaction, poor root depth and less desirable grass species. High soil temperatures and a lack of oxygen will lead to poor root depth and place the turf at greater risk from drought stress. Over-feeding and, in some cases, over-watering, accompanied by insufficient aeration are the usual reasons. How many courses plan to deep tine or scarify their fairways each year? The old ‘agronomics vs costs’ syndrome often occurs here and it is when weather


... the key is to supply water infrequently, but thoroughly enough, to water the root zone


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