Oasis ...
over a native compacted base using flat pipe drainage (no blinding sand or gravel layer under the rootzone). Being a desert climate with almost no rainfall, rapid drainage systems are not required. Quite a contrast, after working in Malaysia for an extended period, where the focus is almost entirely on efficient water removal systems, Bahrain has certainly been an
interesting and, at times, challenging experience for this seasoned turf professional. “Malaysia experiences tropical downpours on a daily basis” said Mark. “It is not uncommon to receive 30- 40mm per day in Kuala Lumpur. Golf greens are usually constructed to USGA specification using large drainage outlets. In contrast, Bahrain only receives an average annual rainfall of 88mm, all falling in the winter months of December - March.”
Fertility management
As the entire golf course was constructed using sand, initial base fertiliser applications were imperative to give the paspalum an initial boost during the planting phase. For this Mark used a combination of super phosphate,
gypsum, pelletised chicken manure and magnesium sulphate. Once the paspalum took root, growth was pushed with NPK based fertilisers for the first 3-4 months until a full turf cover had been achieved. “Our on-going nutrition programme includes a number of plant health products to encourage healthy, strong growth and disease resistance. We use TKO phosphate, Salute (a potassium silicate with humates and seaweed) and Companion (a microbial solution) for this purpose. The greens are fertilised using a number of micronutrients such as manganese and boron, and we also regularly apply chelated seaweed and calcium. This foliar programme is applied on a monthly basis. In addition, we also carry out a monthly chelated programme of iron, calcium and seaweed to help harden the plant and encourage root development.” “Our programme has been based
around site conditions and trials, product availability, cost and past paspalum research (mainly through Dr. Ronny Duncan’s work in America). After eighteen months growth, and the first year’s play, the results speak for themselves. The course currently has
root depths averaging 250mm on the greens and around 150mm in the fairways and tees,” said Mark. It is important to note that, unlike most turfgrass varieties, paspalum does not require high inputs of nitrogen once it is established. In fact, high nitrogen applications can lead to disease incidence and unhealthy growth. “This year our greens received approximately 170kg of actual nitrogen per hectare. Next year, we aim to reduce this to approximately 150kg/ha. Due to our sand based rootzones and paspalum grass requirements we do, however, put on very high levels of potassium (approximately 650kg per hectare per year).”
Mark informs us that, as we edge closer to winter, the nutritional programme will be modified towards plant hardening products, such as chelated iron, calcium chloride, potassium silicate and TKO phosphite. “We are currently doing some trials with potassium permanganate on the paspalum as a source of both potassium and manganese prior to winter dormancy. However, we are conscious of manganese toxicity in the rootzone, so
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