www.stma.org October 2016 | SportsTurf 21
bermudagrass cultivars in the area,
AquaSmart was applied to strips of
the grass at 0, 40, or 80 lbs./1,000
square feet using a 3-foot drop spreader.
The fine particle size of the polymer-
coated sand being dry at application
makes the direct application of the
product through a drop spreader very
simple and effective.
This trial was established at two
separate planting dates, the first week
of July and the first week of August last
summer. AquaSmart treatments were
applied the day of sprigging or seeding
along with a heavy topdressing of USGA
specification sand to cover sprigs and
seed to prevent desiccation. Irrigation
treatments were initiated following sand
topdressing and remain in place since
sprigging. There was no rainfall following
the first planting date, but
we had lots of trouble with weed
infestation in the initial planting area that
made rating the growth of sprigs
and seed difficult.
The seeded variety grew in very well
and is currently 100% covered with grass
at the two higher irrigation levels, but
the lowest irrigation level still lacks full
Topdressing of sand: AquaSmart mix before brushing into the turf canopy with push
brooms. All the images are from planting date number 2 in August.
AquaSmart applied at 0, 40, or 80 lbs./1,000 sq. ft. following sprigging of bermudagrass
cultivars at the August planting date.
