greens which each cover around 1,400m2
.
Each core sample was taken to a depth of 15cm, in direct relation to the past soil samples taken which also used a 15cm core depth to test pH levels and nutrient status of the greens.”
Grass condition
It was very clear within the first week of the regulator application that the overall colour of the bowling greens was changing. “The grass sward had not only darkened but also had become thicker and shorter. The visual record was borne out in the level of reduction of grass box cuttings taken from the green over the monthly period - from a total of 44 to 30 inclusive; a reduction of 32% in green waste.” “The impact has been to slow the playing surface,” he adds, “with grass being greener and thicker rather than browner and faster. This slower surface has resulted in a monthly verti-cut of the greens to try to increase ball speed. The number of grass boxes from the June verti-cut generated 12 boxes, compared to the average number in 2006 of at least 30, a reduction of 60% in green waste.”
Comparison findings over the period April to June 07
There were many external factors to monitor throughout the application period, namely grass type, use, overhanging trees, watering, shade, application rate, soil type and sand composition. These were monitored as the team considered them factors that might have influenced soil samples and grass sward condition. As it turned out, these external factors did not have any significant bearing on the overall results. From the core samples taken, it was clear that downward root development had not changed much over the application period but that lateral movement of root development had increased significantly from May through June. Both the flat green and green 2 (control) did not develop significant downward root development but
Summary savings table (bowling season 32 weeks) Activity
Previously
Green waste production from mowing and verti-cut
maintenance regimes Mowing time Fuel usage Water usage
Pesticide usage* Core sample (green 1)
With Primo MAXX Savings & benefits
1408 grass boxes 960 grass boxes 448 boxes
96 hours 24,000ml N/A N/A
8.8cm
green 1 saw roots develop from 8.8cm to 11.5cm (2.7cm development of additional root growth - an increase of 34%)"
Water usage (weather dependant)
Monitoring of water use started at the beginning of the trial and the monthly total of watering was 40 hours and a meter reading of 4,347m3
. More on water
reduction would be known later in the trial process but it was envisaged that a 25% reduction would occur over the six-month trial period.
Fuel consumption
With the 32% reduction in grass box numbers over the first trial period (April to June) there was, inevitably, a knock-on effect on the number of times that each green was cut. “Before the trial started in April,” says Dempsey, “fuel consumption was 750ml a week, cutting the greens three times weekly. This level later fell to 500ml a week fuel usage on greens 1 and 3 (with green 2 being the control green still using 750ml of fuel) and the greens being cut twice. This 33% reduction in the first trial period was above our initial estimate of 23%."
Pesticide usage*
During the period that greens 1 and 3 were treated, there was a slight problem with
64 hours 16,000ml 40hr N/A
11.5cm
32 hours 8,000ml N/A N/A
2.7cm
fusarium and red thread on these greens. The untreated green (2) did not have any sign of fungal disease. These findings are directly related to the absence of aeration or scarification of the bowling greens in the winter period and no application of any topdressing products. Therefore, the findings and results with regard to fertiliser and fungicide treatments could not be compared until the end of the trial period.
Results speak for themselves
In answer to the question posed in the trial, the results are startling, as Mark records. “The grass regulator has, in effect, reduced the number of grass clippings produced by normal mowing and verti-cutting by 56% and reduced the frequency of mowing with an overall saving of 32 hours over the 32- week season. It wasn’t all plain sailing though, Mark concludes. “Torrential downpours hit the park for the week beginning the 18th of June and this intensified on the 24th when Clifton Beck burst its bank.” “The bowling greens in the park are only two metres away from the beck so, in the space of 24 hours, all three bowling greens were under around 50mm of water. But a team as determined as Calderdale’s was never going to let a little water rain on their parade.”
Contract spraying services for all sports facilities requirements
Fertiliser applications
Chafer Grub and Leather Jacket control
Supply and
Amenity Contract Services Ltd Catchdale Moss Farm, Eccleston, St Helens Merseyside WA10 5QG Tel: 01744 885098 Fax: 01744 886001
Email:
richard@amenitycontracting.co.uk
application of all major turf products or apply customers own product
Linear and spike aeration
Nationwide coverage 73 Specialist Green spraying equipment
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