WP1: To evaluate the long-term impact of robotic mowing on the physical properties of soil, fairways on golf courses in the ROBO-GOLF project (2020-23) were further examined. In 2023, two fairways at Sandnes (Norway) were analysed and in August 2024, fairways at Grenå, Denmark were examined. Undisturbed soil cylinders were taken, and infiltration rates and soil compaction were measured. Preliminary results show that there was a clear tendency towards lower soil compaction with robotic mowing. The results of WP1 will be disseminated in a scientific NIBIO-report in February 2025.
WP2: At NIBIO Landvik, Norway the experimental area was seeded in spring 2024. After grow-in, the installation of a Ceora 546 EPOS robotic mower was carried out on 7th August. From spring 2025, traditional rotary mowing will be compared with systematic robotic mowing at two mowing heights to investigate turfgrass quality and the encroachment of white clover on semi-roughs. Plugs of fairway-type white clover (Trifolium repens) were planted into the experimental area in mid-August 2024.
WP3: The same robotic mowers as in WP2 will be programmed to mow at different fairway mowing heights at three nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 60, and 120 kg/ha/yr) from spring 2025. Plugs of white clover, daisies (Bellis perennis), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) were planted into subplots to study the combined effect of different mowing heights and fertilizer levels on the encroachment of broadleaved weed species.
WP4: Demonstration trials were established and Ceora EPOS robotic mowers were installed at four golf courses in spring and summer 2024 (Hirsala, Finland; Brøndby, Denmark; Haus Bey and St. Eurach, Germany). Robotic and traditional mown fairways and semiroughs were compared for turfgrass quality and coverage of broadleaved weeds. On the fairways, the fertilizer levels were split into two: ‘Common practice’ (100%) and reduced (50%). Preliminary results from some of the courses show a tendency towards increased turfgrass quality with robotic mowing compared to traditional mowing in plots with fertilizer levels as ‘Common practice’ (100%). At St. Eurach, the benefit was visually clear in the semi-rough after one season of robotic mowing. Compared to the traditional rotary mower, the robotic mower left no clippings and created clear definition at the edges.
