SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/575944
www.stma.org October 2015 | SportsTurf 37 Getting your fields ready for winter stresses W hile many sports turf managers breathe a sigh of relief when temperatures start to cool off in the fall, it can still be a busy time of year. Depending on where in the country you are locat- ed, you will likely aerate your sports fields in the fall. And it is a good time to think about building up carbohydrate storage to help turfgrass survive winter months and emerge brimming with plant health in the spring. Aeration provides many benefits for turf such as alleviating soil compaction, improving gas exchange between soil and atmosphere, reducing thatch, and improving water and nutrient movement into the soil Fall aeration on cool-season turf is often delayed as long as pos- sible due to fall sports schedules. But this delay often comes at a price with very slow recovery due to cold temperatures. For warm- season turfgrass, timely recovery from summertime aeration be- fore the fall season is extremely important for a healthy recovery and promotion of new root growth for warm-season grasses. Ultimately, aeration leads to enhanced plant health and better playing conditions for sports fields. However, aeration also causes stress to turf. Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce stress and promote quicker recovery. Carbohydrate storage Turf needs to build up root mass and carbohydrates in prepara- tion for winter months. Stored in crowns, stems and roots, carbo- hydrates are created from photosynthesis. Needed by the plant in greater quantities through winter and coming into spring, carbo- hydrates are essential for healthy turf. Cool-season turfgrasses need to build up adequate carbo- hydrates to maintain root growth and development in winter months, as well as recover from injury sustained from any pest, environmental stress, or mechanical damage. Carbohydrate storage is important for warm-season turfgrasses because the plant uses carbohydrates that have been stored in roots, shoots and crowns to supplement its energy supply to get through the winter months and break dormancy in the spring. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, necessary for the physiological processes all plants undergo. Plants require higher con- centrations of amino acids before stressful periods, such as drought, high heat and cold temperatures. They supply plants with essential components, which improve stress tolerance and overall plant health. The amino acids in products are chelating agents, meaning they improve uptake and translocation within the plant, specifi- cally when tank-mixed with mineral nutrients. When amino acid products are tank-mixed with products such as fungicides, herbi- cides and insecticides, they help them move into the plant more efficiently as well. Macro-Sorb obtains its amino acids through a process called enzymatic hydrolysis, which uses specific enzymes to break down proteins into individual amino acids. These are called free amino acids and they are immediately available to the plant—as soon as they are applied. Amino acid products help get plants through stressful periods like aeration recovery and winter stresses on warm season turf. And amino acid fertilizers help plants conserve plant energy so they can maximize production of carbohydrates. Fall recommendations Apply root-enhancing amino acid products 2-3 days before aera- tion, and again 5-7 days post aeration. This will improve turf re- covery, enhance root mass, and provide much needed amino acids to aid in carbohydrate storage. Apply foliar amino acid products every 2 weeks going into win- ter. This will help conserve energy and aid in carbohydrate produc- tion. Amino acids also improve stress tolerance related to winter stress, such as frost. Apply amino acid minor nutrient products monthly going into winter for enhanced turfgrass color. You can also use them for seedling establishment; applications can be made as soon as 5 days after emergence. By planning ahead for improved aeration recovery and en- hanced root mass build-up/carbohydrate storage for your turf- grass, sports fields will better survive the winter months. You'll start the spring season with stronger, healthier turf. ■ ST Editor's note: This article was supplied by Macro-Sorb Technologies, Inc., and was written by John Haguewood, Macro- Sorb's technical manager, www.macro-sorb.com. Amino acid fertilizers can help with aeration recovery and carbohydrate storage during fall months.