TURF TIP
3/26/04

Dormant Sand Topdressing. Does it help Creeping Bentgrass Spring Green-up?

A research study was initiated at Purdue University to evaluate two sand topdressing products for their ability to enhance creeping bentgrass spring green-up. Treatments were applied at three application rates in the third week of January 2004 to a ‘Crenshaw’ creeping bentgrass stand being grown on a native soil rootzone. Observations to date indicate that applications of sand-topdressing do encourage faster spring green-up (See attached photo). The exact mechanism for this response is unclear. Canopy temperatures, plot greenness and clipping yields are being monitored.

 Cale Bigelow, Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Science

Send corrections, suggestions, and comments to biehlj@purdue.edu