 |
|
October 31, 2007
Students aid in research plot establishment
 Research areas were established this past Friday at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Thanks go out to Southern Turf International and
Ali’i Turf for generously donating plant materials, as well as the maintenance
crew at the National Memorial Cemetery for their efforts in site preparation.
We could not have done this without you!
Additionally, thanks also go out to the 12 UH students that participated
in the establishment process. As part of a laboratory exercise for TPSS 364,
Horticultural Practices, students helped install nearly 1,500 square feet of
sod for a study investigating the effects of vertical mowing and fertilization
on seashore paspalum traffic tolerance. Varieties installed at the cemetery
include ‘Salam,’ ‘Sea Dwarf,’ and ‘Sea Isle 1’ seashore paspalum, as well as
‘Tifway 419’ hybrid bermudagrass. Plots of ‘Sea Spray,’ a seeded seashore
paspalum variety, were laid out on Friday as well.
Students also helped stolonize a 900 square foot plot of
‘Sea Isle 2000’ seashore paspalum. Once mature, this
area will be used to research cultural practices to improve shade tolerance.
Thanks again to all those involved in this project. Photos
of the day’s activities are posted below.
|
October 19, 2007
The use of salt as an alternative to herbicide on seashore
paspalum
 Preliminary
studies are underway at Ko’olau Golf Course (Kaneohe, HI) and Coral Creek
Golf Course (Ewa, HI) evaluating the efficacy of salt applications as an alternative
weed control method on seashore paspalum. Studies at Ko’olau target
hilograss (Paspalum conjugatum), while work at Coral Creek focuses on
goosegrass control (Eleusine indica). Weed control efficacy from granular
and foliar applications of different salt materials will be compared to applications
of MSMA, Sencor (metribuzin), and Revolver (foramsulfuron). The efficacy achieved
following a single application will be compared to that which is achieved following
multiple applications at lower application rates. Foliar injury, chlorophyll
content, and soil electrical conductivity and sodium content will be monitored
for 8 weeks after treatment.
Updates (with plot images) will be posted throughout the experiment.
Seashore paspalum traffic tolerance
 Sod
will be installed on 26 October at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
for a research project investigating the effects of fertilization and vertical
mowing on the traffic tolerance of seashore paspalum. Simulated football traffic
in this study will be applied using a CADY traffic simulator. This device,
developed at Michigan State University under the direction of Dr. Jason Henderson,
is a modified greens aerator; tines are removed and replaced with fabricated
cleats (see photo).
Seashore paspalum cultivars to be evaluated include ‘Salam,’ ‘Sea
Isle 2000,’ ‘Sea Isle 1,’ and ‘Sea Dwarf.’ These
cultivars will be compared to ‘Tifway 419,’ hybrid bermudagrass
and ‘El Toro,’ zoysiagrass under different levels of fertility
and vertical mowing. We would like to thank Southern Turf International and
Ali’i turf for providing the sod for this study, as well as the grounds
crew at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific for their efforts in
preparing the site.
Determining the value of the turfgrass management industry
in the Hawaiian economy
The Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association (HGCSA) is generously supporting
a survey to determine the value of the turfgrass management industry in the
Hawaiian economy. Reports from 1987 indicate that the 62 golf courses in the
state generated 70 million dollars in annual revenue; however, the number of
courses in the state has increased by nearly 40% since then. Recent surveys
conducted in states such as New York, New Jersey, and Michigan found that the
turfgrass management industry contributes upwards of 3.2 billion dollars to
state economies and provides over 50,000 jobs. We hope that this survey, conducted
in conjunction with the Center for Agricultural Development in the American
Pacific, will demonstrate the substantial value of the turfgrass management
industry in the Hawaiian state economy.
|
