HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rodriguez, I. R. Articles by Toler, J. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Rodriguez, I. R. Articles by Toler, J. E. Agricola Articles by Rodriguez, I. R. Articles by Toler, J. E. Related Collections Agroclimatology Turfgrass Management Temperature Stress Evapotranspiration Turfgrass Plant and Environment Interactions

Turfgrass

Effects of Misting and Subsurface Air Movement on Bentgrass Putting Greens

^a Dep. of Hortic., D-136 Poole Agric. Cent., Clemson Univ., Clemson, SC 29634-0319
^b Dep. of Appl. Econ. and Stat., Clemson Univ., Clemson, SC 29634-0319

^* Corresponding author (bmccrty{at}clemson.edu)

Received for publication December 7, 2004. Preferential use of creeping bentgrass [Agrostis stoloniferous L. var. palustris (Huds.)] on golf putting greens has expanded into the hotter, more environmentally stressful regions of the southeastern United States where turfgrass decline is problematic during summer months. Methods of reducing temperatures in the putting green microclimate would enhance bentgrass survival under heat stress conditions. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the bentgrass putting green microclimate under combined misting and/or subsurface fan systems with surface fans. Field studies were conducted in the summers of 2001 and 2002 on a ‘Crenshaw’ creeping bentgrass putting green located in Clemson, SC. Treatments consisted of surface fan only, surface fan plus misting, surface fan plus subsurface fan, and surface fan plus misting and subsurface fan. Fan treatments were applied from 1100 to 1500 h on days when temperatures were 29.5°C, there was no visible cloud cover, and wind speed < 1.0 m s^–1. Surface fan plus misting treatments reduced putting green canopy, soil surface, and soil temperatures by as much as 9, 7, and 6°C, respectively, while increasing canopy relative humidity and soil moisture content. Benefits were generally observed over a range of 5 m from the fan. These treatments demonstrate great potential for improving canopy and soil microclimate conditions influencing bentgrass survival in a heat stress environment. Surprisingly, the use of subsurface fans did not enhance the cooling effect provided by surface fans. Fan/mist systems should be investigated further to determine possible disease occurrence during extended use periods.

Abbreviations: USGA, United States Golf Association