Cultivation technologies benefit ultradwarf bermudagrass
Researchers at Mississippi State University say turfgrass professionals could benefit from more research on how new or alternative technologies compare with traditional methods for growing and maintaining ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens. Their study in the September 2016 issue of HortScience adds to the literature by recommending the optimal combination of dry-injection (DI) cultivation technology with modified traditional hollow-tine (HT) verification programs for growing healthy greens. Ultradwarf bermudagrass is the most prevalent warm-season species used on putting greens in warm, humid regions. The grass, which features fine-textured leaf blades, short internodes, and high shoot density, has the ability to withstand low height of cut, which provides a smooth and fast putting surface. However, the grasses can quickly generate an excessive thatch-mat layer of organic matter, which negatively affects putting green performance.