Six things to get right for top quality turf in Thailand

I suggested careful attention to mowing, fertilizer, the growth rate, soil water content, and the grass variety used, followed by regular and targeted assessment of the surface performance, will invariably lead to top quality turf in Thailand.

Transcript

1. Six things to get right for top quality turf in Thailand Micah Woods 5 August 2019 Chief Scientist Asian Turfgrass Center www.asianturfgrass.com
2. Six things to get right 1. Mowing
3. Six things to get right 1. Mowing 2. Fertilizer
4. Six things to get right 1. Mowing 2. Fertilizer 3. Growth rate
5. Six things to get right 1. Mowing 2. Fertilizer 3. Growth rate 4. Soil water content
6. Six things to get right 1. Mowing 2. Fertilizer 3. Growth rate 4. Soil water content 5. Grass
7. Six things to get right 1. Mowing 2. Fertilizer 3. Growth rate 4. Soil water content 5. Grass 6. Measure results
8. Mowing
9. Riding (golf course type) mowers
10. Pedestrian mowers, USA
13. Pedestrian mowers, Iceland
14. Google search for “mow football pitch”
16. • Mower adjustment • Mower type (reel, rotary, or both?) • Cut 1 3 of leaf blade length
17. Fertilizer
18. Optimum nutrient supply
19. Optimum nutrient supply
20. • about 1 g N/m2/week, then adjust • P and K to meet grass requirements • pH from 5.5 to 7.5 • Fe for enhanced colour • annual testing of soil nutrient content & pH • annual testing of irrigation water quality
21. Growth rate
27. • mowing, fertilizer, & pitch performance are linked to growth rate • growth rate too rapid means unnecessary work & reduced traffic tolerance • growth rate too slow means insufficient traffic recovery • starting point recommendation: 30 mL/m2/day
28. Soil water content
32. • Ideally have (and use) a soil moisture meter • Maintain soil water at about 20% volumetric water content (VWC)
34. Think about rootzone depth • A 30 cm rootzone with 50% pore space and 25% VWC has space for 75 mm of rain • A 15 cm rootzone with 50% pore space and 25% VWC has space for 37.5 mm of rain
38. Seashore paspalum in a sand rootzone
39. Grass
40. • these rhizomatous and stoloniferous grasses can be used in Thailand • bermudagrass • manilagrass • seashore paspalum
41. Measure results
45. Six things to get right 1. Mowing 2. Fertilizer 3. Growth rate 4. Soil water content 5. Grass 6. Measure results
46. More info at the ATC website: www.asianturfgrass.com