FAIR WATER II (FW II) II is a continuation and extension of FAIR WATER (FW I). The project comprises two work packages (WPs)
In WP1, methods to enhance fairway drought resitance are compared in large scale demo trials at Hirsala GC (Finland), Kalundborg GC (Denmark), Romerike GC (Norway), and St. Dionys GC (Germany). The trials are carried out on fairways that have a history of drying out during the summer. Soil texture is 81% silt at Romerike and 82-94% sand at the three other sites. Fairways are split into 3×3 sections with the following treatments in factorial combination:
Factor 1: Mechanical treatments in the fall of 2024 and 2025 to remove thatch and enhance root development
A. Untreated control
B. Scarification to 2 cm depth 1)
C. Scarification to 2 cm depth 1) + aerification to 20 cm dept
1) At Hirsala, the only sand-capped fairway in the project, scarification was replaced by hollow tine coring 5 cm depth followed by core removal and topdressing.
Factor 2: Monthy application of soil surfactants in the summer of 2025 and 2026
1) Untreated control
2) Product 1 to be selected 2) based on FW I, WP2
3) Product 2 to be selected 2) based on FW I, WP2
2) The final selection will be made in February 2025.
The WP started with mechanical treatments in September 2024. Initial analyses showed 25-50 mm thatch layers with 9, 20, 20 and 29 % organic matter in the top 3 cm at Hirsala, Romerike, Kalundborg og and St.Dionys, repectively. At the end of the growing season, mechanical treatments had teduced soil penetrometer resistance by up top 10%. Hopefully this will result in deeper roots, reduced hydrophobicity and more drought-resistant turf in 2025.
In WP2, Ljunghusen, Falsterbo, Flommen, Ronneby, Emmaboda, Västervik and
Loftahammar GCs on the Baltic coast of Sweden, all using lower quality irrigation water, were visited in October 2024. Greenkeepers were interviewed and soil and water samples taken for salinity analysis. Four of the seven GCs experience salinity stress regularly, primarily in a 6-8 week period in July and August. The soil and water samples taken in October 2024 did not exceed salinity thresholds for cool season turfgrasses. In 2025, water samles will be taken during the start, middle, and end of the summer period during which salinity stress is highest.
