Improving Water Conservation On Golf Courses Through Wetting Agents And Unmown Roughs

Abstract

Golf courses strive to conserve water using a variety of methods. In this thesis, I explored two water conservation approaches: improving wetting agent application efficiency and establishing low-input roughs. The objectives of three wetting agent experiments were to determine if soil temperature influences how long wetting agents can reduce soil water repellency persistence, and determine the spring benefits of late fall wetting agent applications on cool-season putting green turfgrass. These experiments did not prove soil temperature influences wetting agent longevity. The low-input rough experiment was an evaluation of fine fescue seeding rates and biomass removal timing for optimum weed suppression, golf ball visibility, and aesthetics. Results indicate seeding rate has a temporary influence on many factors including weed cover and golf ball visibility. Further investigation is needed to determine which environmental factors influence wetting agent fate, and observe long-term influence of seeding rates and biomass removal timing for low-input roughs.