Driving Bentgrass Roots

Turf quality on bentgrass golf course greens often declines during the summer in regions that have hot and humid weather. Many factors such as environmental stresses, soil properties, foot traffic, and diseases have been associated with wilt. The dieback of older roots and slow growth of new roots during hot weather often result in extremely shortened roots in the summer months and can carry into the fall

Optimum air temperature for shoot growth for cool-season grasses (bent grass)  is 60 to 75 degrees F and optimum soil temperature for root growth is 50 to 65 degrees F. Shoot growth ceases when air temperature is above 90 degrees and root growth ceases when soil temperature is above 77 degrees F. These temperatures are often exceeded on bentgrass during the summer in the southeast.

Even though the temperatures have cooled, the roots on most of Founders Club greens are not sufficient. We would like to see root depths around four inches this time of year - accompanied with decent mass. A practice that helps drive roots and increases root mass is aeration. It also helps decrease compaction, improves the thatch layer, and provides a channel for water and air to move through the soil. We have plans next week to begin aerating the greens at Founders Club with needle tines. Solid slender ¼ inch tines will be used. Immediately afterwards, the greens will be rolled and mowed and should be very puttable.

Dockery Steed