Announcement of Final Thesis Defense Crop and Soil Science M.S. Degree: Michael Patrick Rabe

April 17, 2025 10:30AM - 11:30AM

PSSB A271 Conference Room

Comparing Capillary hydroponic and variable depth rootzones for sustainable putting green management

Members of the Examining Committee and their Department:

  1. Dr. Thomas Nikolai - Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
  1. Dr. Brian Horgan – Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences
  1. Dr. Kevin Frank – Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences
  2. Dr. Wei Zhang - Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences

 ABSTRACT

Irrigation requirements have become a focal point of golf turf management. The objective of the study was to evaluate two golf course putting green construction methods for irrigation inputs, playability, organic matter content, and turfgrass quality, health and growth. The experiment was conducted in summer 2023 and 2024 at the Michigan State University Hancock Turfgrass Research Center. Six putting greens were constructed and seeded in June 2022 with sand conforming to USGA specifications. Three putting greens were constructed as Variable Depth Rootzone (VDR)and three were constructed with a capillary hydroponic system. A target volumetric water content of 8% was maintained in both treatments for the duration of the experiment. Flow meters were installed on the irrigation blocks and sub-ground irrigation systems to quantify irrigation use. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replications of both construction types. Volumetric water content was monitored continuously with inground soil moisture sensors and across greens surfaces at 7.62 cm weekly with a handheld moisture meter. Surface firmness and greens speed were measured twice monthly. Clipping yield was determined once per month.

 

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