Topdressing.biz News: Athletic Field Turfgrass Response to Calcined Clay Topdressing

prepared by David D. Minner and Jeffrey J. Salmond, 1999 Iowa Turfgrass Research Report

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http://www.topdressing.biz, topdressing, plots, Turface, sand, calcined clay, treatments, topdressing materials, soil, practice field, turfgrass, turf, renovation schedule, plugs, cultivars, individual plot.

Summary:
1999 Iowa Turfgrass Research Report Athletic Field Turfgrass Response to Calcined Clay Topdressing David D. Minner and Jeffrey J. Salmond Inorganic amendments have been used to amend soils that are compacted by excessive traffic.Our objective was to evaluate Turface as a topdressing material and its effects on turfgrass growth.A study was initiated in August 1996 to evaluate calcined clay (Turface MVP) as a topdressing material.The study was conducted on an irrigated practice field containing native clay loam soil.Treatments consisted of two topdressing materials, Turface or sand, with six replications.Six plots were topdressed with Turface (4500 total sq.ft.) and six plots were topdressed with sand (4500 total sq.ft.).In the worn areas of the study and where soil is exposed, the Turface maintains a drier surface and improves playing conditions.