Sports Turf Agronomy Advice - August 2024
As July passes by, it finally feels like we have had some decent weather and some sunshine to enjoy!
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Topdressing with the Dakota 410 from Campey Turf Care Systems
The last week in July being particularly good, with temperatures above 25°C. This has nicely coincided with schools finishing for the summer holidays. Hopefully, many of you are able to get some time away with family and friends. It is encouraging to have slightly more settled weather patterns this summer which have provided more favourable conditions for grass growth and management. In comparison, this time last year we had just experienced a very wet July which was the start of a prolonged wet period. Let’s hope we avoid that for as long as possible this year.
Week 28 was particularly wet this July, with almost half the average rainfall for the month falling in that week. Such heavy downpours in a concentrated window of time do pose problems for grounds managers. GP was up 10% from June’s 77%, which shows how the increase in temperatures and available moisture reserves has stimulated growth. Nitrogen requirements have been around 4+ Kg of N per week with another 50 growth degree days above June’s average.
Click here if you want to review weather data in your region for July. To keep up to date with the weather throughout August visit https://academy.agrovista.co.uk/category/weather
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The forecast prediction for August does not look as favourable as July. The month starts with a mixture of sunshine and showers, but from the middle of the month onwards, there are persistent days of rain and some storms forecast.
Temperatures hold around the early 20s up until the middle of the month and then start to drop into the late teens. Growth rates will adjust accordingly, and if the long term forecast remains accurate, the back end of August will start to have that autumnal feel rather than a long summer. This will add to the frustration for many as conditions have only just recently turned favourable and will potentially soon be turning towards the next season.
Nutrition inputs should continue in line with the requirements of the plant. Liquid applications that can be applied little and often offer great flexibility, depending on the plant’s needs. Applications of biostimulants to support existing nutritional inputs will continue to play an important role to mitigate the effects of any stress. Seaweeds elicit important beneficial defensive and stress responses with amino acids assisting in abiotic stress tolerance, helping plants to prepare for and cope with any additional stresses such as varying changes in temperature and moisture. Amino acids are very good carriers, they help to ensure that nutrients get into the plant, therefore through dry or wet periods, where every part of the product counts; they are also an excellent source of plant available amino acids, so when under stress, there is an adequate supply which can be utilised for growth and development.
Renovations
August can be a key time for carrying out renovations or planning upcoming mini-renovation work. Weather conditions can be ideal, with good temperatures and soil moisture available for getting recovery and establishment of seed. Different sports will have varying maintenance practices, however, having set objectives planned out will increase the probability of having a successful renovation.
Ensuring the right seed cultivars are selected for the intended usage will increase the probability for success. If removing organic matter to improve playing conditions and rootzone characteristics, carefully selecting the most suitable method of removal to ensure the desired outcome is achieved efficiently is important, whilst removing the maximum amount with minimal disruption to playing conditions. When incorporating overseeding, it is worth considering carrying out this element later in the season when mowing heights are less intensive, and the same for maintenance work.
Disease
As we start to transition into autumn, the cooler conditions with more surface moisture present can become suitable for the development of turf diseases. At a time when growth is still strong, utilising products to aid in the reduction of disease outbreaks can be challenging, in terms of getting longevity out of product applications. However, making applications at the right time, although potentially not long lasting, can make a big difference in reducing disease. Moisture management is key, reducing leaf wetness, when morning dews start to appear, will have a significant impact on the potential development of disease. Key diseases to be mindful of at this time of year are Microdochium patch, Anthracnose and Leaf spot.
Tom Wood
B.Sc (Hons) | BASIS | FACTs