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líMrKvl MANAGEMENT Damng wjèi Iíwí stress ense of sensors Securing your water supply % USGA construction update volume 5.1 February - March 2003
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Page 1: líMrKvl - d.lib.msu.edu

l í M r K v l MANAGEMENT

Damng wjèi

I í w í s t r e s s

ense of sensors

Securing your water supply

% USGA construction update

volume 5 . 1 February - March 2003

Page 2: líMrKvl - d.lib.msu.edu

Toro, the complete Golf Course Irrigation

Idris Evans -Course Superintendent.

The new Toro 800 series, valve in head sprinklers have far exceeded my expectations, their excellent uniformity in water application has cut my watering times by more than 30%.

HCH«M11495

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Toro has provided irrigation systems

for the world's top golf courses for over

85 years. In the US, Toro irrigation

equipment is used on 74 of the top

100 courses, as well as many of the

world's major sporting facilities.

In Australia, courses such as The

Western Australian have recently

installed the ultimate turf sprinkler, the

new 800 Series. Its predictable head

rotation and uniform nozzle distribution

is what makes the 800 the ultimate.

The Western Australian Golf Club have

coupled the 800 Series with the 'state-of-

the-art' SitePro system including LTC+

satellite controllers, weather station and

the Toro hand held remote, giving the

ultimate in monitoring and control.

We are building on our reputation as

the leaders in the irrigation industry by

providing completely customised

systems to meet even the most

challenging courses.

Our expertise doesn't only stop at

irrigation. We also provide turf

maintenance equipment as well as

fantastic after sales support from our

experienced professional team.

But don't just take our word for it, ask

those who know.

Or else, to speak with your

local irrigation area manager

call 1300 130 898

Steve Peck -Hydroscapes Irrigation Consultants, system designers. The brief from the dient was to design a state of the art system with good value for money and all of those things which make for an economical water efficient golf course irrigation system. The Toro valve in head 800 series with SitePro central control system satisfy the brief very well. The SitePro system handles the large elevation differences on the site easily and ensures even coverage over the whole course. We are very pleased with the result and so is the Western Australia Coif Club.

TORO Count on it.

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Simplot ^ p , R T N e ^

• JE T E NOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY

MAXK STABILIZEDNITROGEN FERTILIZER

Fertilizer Technology At Its (BEST)

VIC - Simplot Partners (03) 9587 4993 - email: [email protected]

NSW - Turfcare NSW (02) 9684 6611 - email: [email protected]

Qld - Northern Rivers Rural Buying (07) 5537 7323 - email: [email protected]

SA - T-Link (08) 8376 1644 - email: [email protected]

WA - Total Turf (08) 9448 5263 - email: [email protected]

Page 5: líMrKvl - d.lib.msu.edu

MANAGEMENT

Australian Turfgrass Management Published by: Austral ian Golf Course Super in tendents Associat ion ABN 960 532 058 88

Suite 1, Monash Corporate Centre 752 Blackburn Road Clayton North, 3168 Vic Ph: (03) 9548 8600 Fax: (03) 9548 8622 Email: [email protected] Website: www.agcsa.com.au

President: Directors:

Mr. Mark Couchman Mr. Jeff Gambin Mr. David Warwick Mr. Rob Macdonald

Editorial/Advertising: Phil George Ph:(03) 9548 8600 phi [email protected]

Administration Manager: Fiona McPadden

Design & Production: Publicity Press

Art Direction & Design: Andy Cumming

Design Studio: Tiffany Loftus-Hills Kristie Stewart Kerrie Still

Accounts/Subscriptions: AGCSA Suite 1, Monash Corporate Centre 752 Blackburn Road Clayton North, 3168 Vic Ph: (03) 9548 8600 Fax: (03) 9548 8622

Proudly supported by H o r t i c u l t u r e Aust ra l ia

Copyright © 1999 AGCSA believes that material sourced and produced for Australian Turfgrass Management is accurate, but give no warranty in relation thereto, and disclaim liability for all claims against the AGCSA, Publicity Press, their subsidiary companies, their employees, agents or any other person which may arise from any person acting on the materials contained within. No portion, in whole or part, may be reproduced without the written permission of the publishers.

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Designed for the turf-grass industry the rugged and lightweight Spraydome 5000 features low volume Controlled Droplet Application (CDA), and high volume conventional spraying.

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A T M 5

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Soil Moisture Sensors - An Overview Soil moisture sensor technology has promised a lot over the past decade, yet the degree of adoption in the turf industry has been relatively low. However, the technology is continuing to develop and should be seen as a valuable source of information for the turf irrigation manager.

Recycled Water - A Viable Alternative As a resource, water is becoming more and more valuable. Turf managers must assess the security of their current water supply and if they are at risk, should start planning for alternative sources.

Greens Construction Update Phillip Ford and Gary Thomas from NMIT took a study tour to the United States last October and returned with some interesting information related to greens construction.

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•r i f t T O l t O C o u n t o n i t . .

14 A T M

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( research D Maximising turf quality, 26 minimising nutrient leaching Louise Barton, George Wan and Tim Colmer from the Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences at the University of Western Australia present results of a study that compares the turf quality of plots managed with different fertiliser types and under different irrigation regimes.

( in every edition ) Presidents Pen 6

Tech Talk 14

AGCSATech Update 24

News 40

Bookshop 42

New Products 44

State Reports 46

Advertisers Index 48

Going to Extremes As I write this it sounds as though many golf courses around the country are finally receiving some much needed rainfall. Lets hope it continues.

However, there is no doubt that at the moment, many Superintendents really are struggling to keep their courses alive and some have indicated to me that their very livelihoods are at risk.

In a light hearted response to this, some are going to extremes and rumour has it that as part of a local radio stations 'nude rain dance challenge' a groundsman from one prominent Victorian golf club rode to work (via a 7 Eleven to pick up a paper) in just his work boots! The really scary thing is that he was actually rewarded for his efforts with a couple of mm's of rain.

Not having enough water throws up huge challenges but spare a thought for Phil Knight, AGCSA Member and Golf Course Superintendent at Bali Nirwana who in January, endured 25 days of rain that delivered a staggering total of 963.5mm. It seems that no matter what your problem, someone somewhere will be battling against a totally different set of circumstances.

Amongst all the negativity surrounding the disappointing events of last years Holden Australian Open, finally some good news! The Australian Golf Union (AGU) is in discussions with the Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association (AGCSA) to assist them with the agronomic aspects of course preparation in the lead up to the 2003 Holden Australian Open. Some may feel that this will limit the level of control the Superintendent has over course preparation and will remove an element of individuality or uniqueness but this certainly isn't the intension. Instead, the deal seeks to ensure that the Superintendent hosting the Open has access to as many resources as are required to ensure that the course meets the objectives and expectations of everyone involved.

For the AGCSA, this is a very positive step and all members should feel proud of their Associations involvement in the countries most prestigious event. More on page 41.

Regards

(?)

r t l WARREN WILLIAMS

DOOMBEN RACING CLUB

Phil George Editor

Toro Genuine Performance Parts are around the same price if not cheaper than non-genuine Toro parts, www.toro.com.au Order Now! OTM Telephone: 1800 356 372 Facsimile: 1800 679 858 [ v v C O U I V t O i l i t . Email: [email protected]

A T M 7

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'.iident'.i Pen As this is the first ATM for the year, I take this opportunity of wishing all readers a very happy, and I hope, prosperous New Year. ATM is now entering into its fifth year of production. Thinking back to the time when the AGCSA Board made the decision to go with our own magazine I suppose you don't really think what things will be like 4 or 5 years down the track, but I would have to say that the magazine continues to develop and hopefully will continue to grow and give all our readers relevant and informative editorial and features.

One thing the magazine cannot give is rain. I know that many people right across Australia are struggling at present and many golf courses are also in dire straights in relation to their water storage capacities. I can only surmise that for every day that it does not rain we are a day closer to it raining.

Steven Potts has now had a good couple of months in his role as the new CEO of the AGCSA (plus the birth of a new daughter) and with a couple of Board phone hook ups and a face to face meeting in February, there a quite a few new and interesting things on the horizon for

Members and the Board to review and disseminate. Probably the most pressing issue is to bring the AGCSA's constitution up to date and we are currently working on that now.

Event wise, the first half of the year is really looking quite hectic. The Roving Workshop series kicks off in April with the subject matter being computer workshops so be sure to get in early as there are strictly limited numbers due to the nature of the workshop. Then in June, the 19th Australian Turfgrass Conference will be held in the city of churches (Adelaide) and the AGCSA is certainly endeavouring to make the conference a great event for all those who choose to come along. Registration forms will be out in circulation

by now so make sure you take advantage of the early bird registration discount. Once again people can tailor their conference content to suit their requirements and/or budget.

I hope to see as many members and ATM readers as possible throughout the coming year at AGCSA events and I certainly hope that it rains in your own part of the country and brings the much needed relief we all want. Enjoy the magazine. Yours in Golf,

Mark K Couchman, AGCSA President. Golf Course Superintendent Tewantin Noosa Golf Club *

Tyflo irrigation cable - the original - is proudly manufactured by Tycab. Tyflo ensures accurate, efficient and economical control of sporting and agricultural irrigation systems. All around Australia, you'll find Tyflo at work on fairways and putting greens, racecourses, cricket and football fields, bowling greens and at most of our leading orchards.

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Is A T M

Page 9: líMrKvl - d.lib.msu.edu

TEXTRON EXPANDS DISTRIBUTION

CANBERRA TRACTORS & TURF MACHINERY 32 Stanford Street Mitchell, ACT 2911 Ph: (02) 6241 4806 Fax: (02) 6241 5880 Contact: Garry Callaghan

BH TURF MACHINERY PTY LTD 22 Brunsdon Street Bayswater, VIC 3153 Ph: (03) 9738 2433 Fax: (03) 9738 2455 Email: [email protected] Contact: Bryan Harper - 0419 524 088 Brian Hall • 0408 397 508

GODINGS MACHINERY Cnr Yea & Forest Street Whittlesea, VIC 3757 Ph: (03) 9716 2468 Fax: (03) 9716 1121 Email: godings @ godi rigs com. au Contact: Ian Goding - 0408 066 412 Les Harrison - 0438 681 168 Charlie Payne - 0418 363 909

W Western Highway Rockbank VIC 3335 Ph: (03) 9747 1584 Fax: (03) 9716 1121

SQUIERS SALES & SERVICE PTY LTD 1069 Green hi 11 Road Summertown, SA 5141 Ph: (08) 8390 3017 Fax: (08) 8390 3404 Email: [email protected] Contact: Darryl Squiers - 0408 877 177

CAIRNS TRUCKS & TRACTORS PTY LTD I 680 Bruce Highway Cairns, OLD 4868 Ph: (07) 4054 1717 Fax: (07) 4054 7300 Contact: Terry Noy, Kym Gordon, Mark Llewellyn

BLACK KUBOTA 123 Beatty Road Archerfield, QLD 4108 Ph: (07) 3277 7599 Fax: (03) 3875 1575 Email: [email protected] Contact: Terry griftiths, Murray Scells, Murray Swindles

MCDONALD MURPHY MACHINERY PTY LTD Peak Downs Highway Mackay, QLD 4740 Ph: (07) 4952 4550 Fax: (07) 4952 4366 Contact: Bruce Schnitzering, Jason De Marco

307 Pacific Highway Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450 Ph: (02) 6652 9893 Fax: (07) 6652 8958 Contact: Steve or 37 Arkwright Crescent Taree, NSW 2430 Ph: (02) 6552 6888 Fax: (02) 6551 0307 Contact: Brett Trengrove, Tim McCormick

TURFLINK AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 2/37 William Street North Richmond, NSW 2754 Ph: (02)4571 1198 Fax: (02)4571 1138 Email: [email protected] Contact: Mike Pauna

COUNTRYWIDE FARM SERVICES PTY LTD 18 Cheshire Street Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650 Ph: (02) 6925 1106 Fax: (02) 6925 3699 Contact: Tony Amos

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There used to be three Textron outlets but now, there are 12 dealers, with no less than 17 outlets to service your machinery requirements.

We are committed to supporting and training these dealers, and through them, you our customer, will reap the benefits.

For the name and location of your nearest Textron Golf, Turf & Specialty Products dealer call...

•••(03) 9720 7622 JACOBSEN www. textronsolutions. com TEXTRO N Textron Turfcare and Speciality Products (Australia) 29 Gatwick Road, Bayswater, Victoria, 3153 Ph: (03) 9720 7622, Fax: (03) 9720 6801 GOLF AND TURF PRODUCTS

Page 10: líMrKvl - d.lib.msu.edu

Dealing with Heat Stress Australia suffers from prolonged periods of very hot, dry weather that makes the job of maintaining turf areas extremely challenging. All organisms have a temperature response range above and below which growth is reduced with most biological activity occuring between 32°and 51° Celcius. In the case of turf, growth and development mostly occurs between 4° and 41° Celcius.

There are a number of 'heating' factors that can have a direct influence on turf growth such as solar radiation, thermal radiation (from the atmosphere), thermal radiation (from the earth, buildings, trees, etc), évapotranspiration, re-radiation, conduction (physically contacting something), and convection (the transfer of heat by the circulation of air which can account for 3 to 4% of total exchange).

There are also a number of variables that can result in the temperature varying in a certain situation such as;

• Latitude - mean temperature decreases and seasonal range increases with increasing latitude.

• Altitude - mean temperature decreases and seasonal range increases with increasing elevation, topography, time of year, time of day and these temperature extremes are typically greater in summer than winter.

Further more, • Soil temperatures lag behind air temperatures • Wind reduces vertical temperature gradients • Turf has an insulative effect on the soil • Dormant turf is cooler than green,

growing turf • Wet soil takes longer to realize a

temperature change, more noticeable in the spring, thus, reinforcing the importance of soil drainage.

The optimum temperature for successful turf growth is not necessarily the best temperature for achieving the best possible turf quality and generally the maximum growth temperature is greater than the maximum temperature for peak turf quality. In Australia, cool and warm

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18 A T M

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BY JOHN NEYLAN AND ANDREW PEART

season grasses are grown on golf courses and as the table below shows they have differing requirements in regards to temperature for optimal growth.

Cool season grasses Warm season grasses 1

Shoot growth 16-24° C 27-35° C

Root growth 10-18° C 24-29° C

Above or below these temperature ranges turf tends to be placed under stress. Plants have a number of mechanisms to deal with this -

• Injury avoidance - experiences stress but no injury

• Injury tolerance - experiences stress and suffers injury

• Evasion - exemplified by a completion of a life cycle before the onset of stress conditions, e.g. Poa annua with respect to heat stress.

• Avoidance - the plant is present but not exposed to the stress, e.g. couch grass rhizomes surrounded by insulating soil during the winter.

In the case of a cool season grass such as bentgrass, chlorosis occurs when temperatures are between 35-43 C for several days and rarely occurs in the absence of drought stress. Extended periods of high temperature lead to poor vigour and shallow rooting turf.

Susceptibility of turf to heat injury also varies depending on the age of the turf and also the particular cultivar present.

In the seedling stage heat tolerance by variety is as follows:

Perennial ryegrass>Tall Fescue>Colonial bentgrass>Kentucky Blue Grass

Whereas for mature turf:

Zoysia=Couchgrass=Buffalo>Tall Fescue>BN=Kentucky Blue>Hard Fescue>Red Fescue=Perennial Ryegrass>Poa Annua

In Australia by far the most common grass used on golf greens is creeping bentgrass and a wide range of cultivars are available for the Golf Course Superintendent. All of these make various claims regarding heat tolerance and many of the newer cultivars typically have greater shoot densities, finer leaf texture and more upright growth than the previous industry standard, Penncross.

In the hot Australian summer, increased temperatures along with the everyday stresses such a traffic, result in increased disease susceptibility, shorter roots, wilting or dry spots, slowed recovery from play, all resulting in an overall decrease in turf quality. Research carried out into creeping bentgrass cultivars under heat stress indicates that the newer (A's and G's, L-93, Crenshaw, SR 1020) cultivars consistently rank among the top group for quality. They displayed higher shoot densities, which improved wear tolerance and restricted light penetration, possibly reducing Poa annua, moss and algae. Higher shoot density also increased surface uniformity and smoothness, and typically, cultivars with higher

shoot densities had finer leaf texture. In contrast, older cultivars such as Penncross exhibited quicker recovery rates.

Similar work has also been carried out into new seeded couch grass cultivars in the US and in particular in relation to their germination. Eight seeded couchgrass cultivars were germinated under 3 levels of drought stress. Total cumulative germination rates decreased with increasing time with all cultivars. The most vigorously germinating cultivars under both drought and control conditions were (in decreasing order): OKS91-11, Sahara, Mirage, and Pyramid. Four other cultivars exhibited low cumulative germination rates under all conditions: PST-R63, PST-R64, FMC-77 (Princess), and FMC-8 (Sultan). This means that by utilising the newer turf type creeping bentgrass varieties and possibly looking at some of the newer seeded couch varieties entering the market, playing surfaces better able to withstand excessive temperatures are a reality.

What other options are available to the Golf Course Superintendent? Adopting a management strategy that reduces the stress imposed on the turf will go a long way towards improving its ability to tolerate heat. The key is to encourage a deep rooting healthy turf:

• Prior to the onset of summer fertilise with an organic nitrogen fertiliser as this does tend to encourage drought tolerance. Also, applying potassium at this time can increase stress tolerance of turf. Often this is not applied until hot weather arrives and at this stage it is really too late. The key is to plan ahead.

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A T M 11

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Dealing with Heat Stress

Raise mowing heights slightly and double cut if higher green speed is desirable. Use mowers with smooth instead of grooved rollers and make sure blades are sharp. Skip mowing every third or fourth day or even more frequently if the green is so stressed that it is not growing vigorously. Minimise clean-up passes, mowing them even less frequently. Use lightweight walk-behind mowers, if possible, especially on the cleanup pass.

Keep soil on the dry side. This will improve aeration and reduce heat conduction into the root zone; it will also speed cooling of the root zone at night and encourage a deeper rooting sward. Aerate the greens frequently using a spiked roller and leaving aerification holes open to allow better gas exchange. A word of caution though as in hot dry weather the soil will dry out much more rapidly. On this basis syringing during the afternoon to minimise heat stress will prove highly beneficial. Consider the use of wetting agents to enable water penetration into the soil. If staff levels allow it, irrigate by hand to deal with localised dry patches and prevent over irrigating. Aim to irrigate during early morning hours to reduce periods of leaf wetness. If nitrogen fertiliser is needed, foliar applications of 45 to 60g N every 10 to 14 days is best. Avoid fertilisation rates exceeding 115g of quick-release N/100 m2

in a single application. Curtail topdressing or use light rates that do not require brushing. Where air circulation is inadequate, selectively prune or remove trees. Use fungicides with care as several protectants and systemics have some potential for phototoxicity or growth regulation. Amongst these are; propiconazole Banner®,/Propel®,/Tridim®, which under high heat conditions at high or frequent use rates, can cause unacceptable growth regulation in bentgrass. Care must also be taken when using other DMI fungicides such as Baycor®Turf, Bayfidan®Turf, Sportak, or Protak®.

This offers:

• More consistent performance against a variety of diseases than the individual products.

• An acceptable fungicide resistance management strategy.

• Greatly reduced concern over undesirable growth-regulating effects of DMI fungicides when these are used at high rates during summer.

Research was carried out in the USA to evaluate chemical combination effects on Poa annua turf quality maintained at 2.7mm mowing height and daily traffic.

The results gained showed that Fosetyl aluminium and azoxystrobin which is not registered for turf in Australia provided some improvement in turf quality when the chemicals were applied in combination. When applied separately, no statistical improvement was noted. In general, the mixtures provided superior disease control when compared to the single chemical treatments. Two treatments consistently ranked higher throughout the duration of the trial with the following combinations rating very highly

Fosetyl aluminium + Chlorothalonil, and Asoxystrobin+ Chlorothalonil.

But what if even after adopting all the above strategies the turf still is unable to cope with the stress it is subjected to? This may be the case on those greens dominated by Poa annua, which by its very nature possesses poor heat tolerance. Research into this has been carried out at Penn State University and in particular the use of Amino Acid Biofertilisers as amino acids help plants to resist stresses and defend against pests and diseases (Wallsgrove, 1995).

Turfgrass was placed under drought and heat stress to evaluate if amino acid based products could enhance stress tolerance, recovery period, and quality of the turf. Other parameters such as colour, height of turf, and clippings fresh and dry weight were also measured.

Drought Evaluations The effect of amino acid biofertilisers on drought tolerance was evaluated. Irrigation was resumed before the turfgrass was completely dormant and its rate of recovery was also monitored.

Turfgrass treated with amino acid based biofertilisers took longer to wilt (Fig.1) and recovered quicker from wilting than did non-treated turf (Fig.2).

Results and Conclusion Accumulation of organic compounds such as amino acids (especially proline) is a natural response of plants to drought stress and other adverse conditions. Exogenous applications of amino acids increase the concentration of solutes within the cell, make the water potential in cells more negative, and increase the tolerance of turf to water stress.

Amino Acid Biofertilizer

Fig. 1. Wilting of Poa annua after irrigation removal Fig. 2. Recovery of Poa annua from wilt

6

o 0

5CC CC + Amino Acid Biofertilizer

Care should be taken when using both DMI fungicides and certain plant growth regulators (PGRs) on putting greens, especially paclobutrazol. The possible additive effect of these similar chemistries can cause significant turf growth suppression and discoloration. This is most evident in bentgrass putting greens that have many segregated colonies of bentgrass. In order to overcome this problem if you do have to use DMI fungicides use them in conjunction with chlorothalonil or at low rates.

(Amino Acid Biofertiliser)

MACRO-SORB® radicular

MACRO-SORB® foliar

M-S radicular + M-S foliar/ QUELANT®-Ca#

Control

120ml./100 sq.m.

120

60

120+60+60

* = M-S radicular + M-S® foliar treatment was changed to QUELANT®-Ca on March 3.

no A T M

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Dealing with Heat Stress

Results and Conclusions Turfgrass under heat stress treated with amino acid biofertilisers had better quality although acceptable quality using this rating scale must be at least a seven (Fig.3). Although the differences in turf quality were not significant QUELANT®-Ca appeared to enhance recovery rate of turfgrass (Fig.4).

Dr. R. Schmidt at Virginia Tech obtained similar results on creeping bentgrass and suggested that amino acids biofertilisers may have some plant growth regulator effect on turfgrass.

The theory behind these results is that plants convert inorganic nitrogen into amino acids. However, when plants are under stressful conditions, they are unable to perform their normal physiological activities to synthesize

Fig. 3. Turfgrass quality under heat stress

H Control • M-S Radicular

M-S Foliar H QUELANT-Ca

Fig. 4. Quality of turf recovering from heat stress

* 2

i 7

Ì 3 § 2

25 March 25 March

Evaluation Dates

27 March 3 April 9 April

Evaluation Dates

their own amino acids. By applying foliar applications of L-a amino acids, this reduces the energy requirements of plants and this saved energy can be used for vital processes, especially under extreme adverse conditions.

Another alternative is the use of cytokinins, which are compounds with a structure resembling adenine, which promotes cell division and has other similar functions to kinetin.

Kinetin was the first cytokinin discovered and so named because of the compounds ability to promote cytokinesis (cell division). Cytokinins have been found in almost all higher plants as well as mosses, fungi, bacteria, and also in tRNA of many prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Cytokinin concentrations are highest in merist-ematic regions and areas of continuous growth potential such as roots and young leaves.

Cytokinin Functions A list of some of the known physiological effects caused by cytokinins are listed below. The response will vary depending on the type of cytokinin and plant species.

1. Stimulate cell division. 2. Stimulate shoot initiation in tissue culture.

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A T M 111

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Dealing with Heat Stress

Keeping Profiles well aerated allows for better gas exchange and water infiltration

3. Stimulate the growth of lateral buds-release of apical dominance.

4. Stimulate leaf expansion resulting from cell enlargement.

5. May enhance stomatal opening in some species.

6. Promotes the conversion of etioplasts into chloroplasts via stimulation of chlorophyll synthesis.

In recent turf tests at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, plots sprayed with seaweed extract had 67% to 175% more roots than untreated plots. Plots treated in the autumn showed a 38% increase in spring growth over untreated plots and showed 52% more roots.

In the mid 1980's, extracted seaweed, benzyladenine (synthetic cytokinin) and selected triazole systemic fungicides were shown to stimulate turfgrasses. Various studies with cool season turfgrass have shown that biostimulant application improved photosyntesis, reduced senescence effect, increased leaf and shoot numbers, improved leaf water potential, and enhanced shoot and root mass. Cytokinis with iron helped warm season grasses retain color in the fall and stimulated spring green up. Recent research documented that biostimulants conditioned turfgrass to tolerate drought and salinity irrigation.

Thus, it can be seen that by adopting a sensible management strategy together with pesticide monitoring, the turf manager can better prepare and maintain turf in times of high temperature.

References Gregos. J. S.. Pearson, S. H, Lueck. P. T. and Maxwell, D. P Evaluation of Fungicide Combinations for the Control Poa-annua Summer Stress. University of Wisconsin, Department of Plant Pathology, www.plantpath.wlsc.edu/tddl/tddl/pdf/stress99.pdf

Marcum, K,B, Still, 0 , W and Maricic, A.A, Tolerance of New Bermudagrass Cultivars at the Germination Stage, www.ag.arizona.edu/turf/germ.html

Toubakaris, M, McCarty, B, Evaluations of Creeping Bentgrass Cultivars in a Heat Stress Environment Dept. of Horticulture, Clemson University, www.virtuaJ.clemson.edu/groups/turfomamental/tmi/breedman/bentheat2.ht

Vincelli. P, Chemical Control of Turfgrass Diseases 2000, Department of Plant Pathology, and A. J. Powell, Department of Agronomy, http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ppa/ppa1/ppal .htm

Wallsgrove, R. M. (ed.). 1995. Ammo Acids and their Derivatives in Higher Plants Society for Experimental Biology Seminar Series 56. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge.

Watschke, T & Borger, J , Evaluation of Amino Acid Biofertilisers for Stress Tolerance on Poa annua. Penn State University,

http://nutramaxlabs.com/agricultural/amino_acid.htm

http://www.turfnotes.com/artides/1200conditioned.shtml

http://www.organa.cc/Studies/Kelp_Studies-Biostimulants.htm

http://www.susUne.com/Bolster/research/drought%20stress%20in%20KY %20bluegrass.pdf

Aknowledgements

John Neylan and Andrew Peart work with ACCSATech, the Research and Consultancy division of the ACCSA. John and Andrew can be contacted on 9548 8622 or [email protected] A

iff ift J

Elevated temperatures make many turf species more susceptible to a whole range of turf diseases

112 A T M

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— "̂ •f'̂ -'-vrvl"1""-" .^vV^y'ff •""" ¿&C"? ~ ' " ' " ~ " . !

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regulator. The unitized inlet valve features one-step removal of the snap ring, valve, valve seat and rock screen. Routine service is fast and easy, and leaves the turf green and playable. See how Hunter can upgrade your course in affordable stages. Talk to your local Hunter distributor today about a free on-site consultation.

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TALK

Interseeding Bentgrasses - is it viable?

With the introduction of new bentgrass cultivars that offer characteristics that make them highly desirable putting surfaces, an attractive method of introducing them into an existing sward is through interseeding. Interseeding is the practice of seeding into a live turf stand (Turgeon, 1999), whilst causing minimal surface disturbance.

Does this approach offer an alternative method to total renovation? Competition from the existing stand is the most influential factor in the apparent success or failure of this method. Competition can result from the lack of three crucial parameters for plant growth; light, water and nutrition. A new seedling is often able to germinate however, its ability to survive and grow can be severely diminished due to competition from the existing sward. In general, interseeding attempts to maximise the seed/soil contact of the desired cultivar with techniques such as coring, verticutting and topdressing.

Kendrick and Danneberger (2002) undertook a study to determine the competitive success of an interseeded creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) cultivar in an established

putting green. Using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers they were able to genetically identify the interseeded variety/cultivar from the existing variety/cultivar.

The five treatments were: 1 Control 2 Scalping - cut to a height of 1.5mm

(20-30 passes). Normal cutting height 3.1mm 3 Coring - Ryan GA-30 aerifier using 13mm

(D) hollow tines to a depth of 76mm. Tine spacing was 50mm within rows and 64mm between rows.

4 Trinexapac-ethyl - Growth regulator applied at 15.6g ai per hectare

5 Glyphosate application - Applied at 3.43 kg acid equivalent per hectare. A second application of glyphosate was applied for the September 1999 treatment date due to incomplete kill following the first application.

Excluding the control, all treatments were vertically mowed in two directions and then topdressed. Treatments were then seeded in two directions at 12.2 kg per hectare.

Interseeding treatments were conducted in October 1998, April and September 1999 with post-treatment samples (30 plant samples taken at random from each plot) taken in May 1999 and March 2000. A pre-treatment sample was taken from each plot in September 1998. At the conclusion of the study (see Table 1)

ANDREW PEART

both glyphosate treated plots had completely converted to 'Penn G-2', while plots subjected to other treatments showed no evidence of the cultivar. The May 1999 assessment suggested that there had been a transient change to 'Penn G-2' in Experiment 2 of the scalp treatment, however, 'Penn G-2' was no longer evident in the March 2000 assessment.

This suggests that competition from existing leaves and roots must both be eliminated. This is supported by Cook and Ratcliff (1984), who suggested that the greatest limiting factor of seedling survival and growth in existing swards was the inability to compete for soil moisture and nutrients with established plants. With the ramifications of the drought, subsequent limited water resources on many golf courses and continual high temperatures some courses may have lost turf on their putting greens. This may be seen as an ideal time to introduce a higher quality bentgrass into the putting surface. However, as the article by Kendrick and Danneberger (2002) suggests, any competition from the remaining sward will severely reduce its ability to survive and therefore produce an uneven distribution of the introduced cultivar.

It would seem that until more effective interseeding methods are developed, chemical renovation remains the most effective way to ensure the establishment of new cultivars (Kendrick and Danneberger, 2002). A

Photo courtesy of ASPAC GOLF & TURF

Table 1: The RAPD band frequency of 'PennG-2' creeping bentgrass interseeded into 'Penncross' creeping bentgrass plots through VariOUS management practices. (Kendrick and Danneberger. 2002)

I SAMPLE DATE TREATMENT

Control Scalp Cored Trlnexapac-ethyl Glyphosate

Exp.1 Exp.2 22-Sep-98 4.1a 0.0a 28-May-99 6.3a 3.1a 24-Mar-OO 3.1a 3.1a

Exp.1 Exp 2 8.4a 0 0 a OOa 25.0b 6 3 a 3.1a

Exp.1 Exp.2 0.0a 0.0a 0.0a 3.1a 0.0a 0.0a

Exp.1 0.0a O.Oa 0.0a

Exp.2 0.0a 3.1a O.Oa

Exp.1 Exp.2 0.0a 0.0a 78.1b 65 6b 84.4b 87.5c

• The number represents the percentage of the number of samples analysed in which the 1050-bp band characteristic of 'PennC-2'creeping bentgrass was present. • The numbers within the column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at p=0.01 according to the Pearson chi-squared test for goodness-of-fit.

BYRON BAY GOLF CLUB Two Positions Vacant Course Assistant Manager The position of Course Assistant Manager is offered with this popular 18 hole NSW For North Coast course. The successful applicant will have a qualification in Turf Management and experience in assistance with management of golf course staff, golf course construction, re-construction and maintenance of both the course and course machinery. The successful applicant will also be expected to have experience in assistance with management of staff, club resources and stock control. The successful applicant will be highly motivated and skilled, again to assist the Course Manager with the implementation of the Board's position in relation to improving playing conditions and presentation of the golf course to further enhance the financial viability of the Club. Applications in writing, addressed to the Secretary Manager - including the names of 3 referees - will close on Friday March 7th 2003. Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Course Manager The position of Course Manager is offered with this popular 18 hole NSW Far North Coast course. The successful applicant must have a qualification in Turf Management and extensive experience in all aspects of course construction, re-construction and maintenance as well as management of golf course staff and resources. The successful applicant will be highly motivated and skilled to implement the Board's position in relation to improving playing conditions and presentation of the golf course to further enhance the financial viability of the Club. Applications in writing - including the names of 3 referees - will close on Friday March 7th 2003. Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

For further information please contact Kerri Hewitt - Secretary Manager

Byron Bay Golf Club • P.O. Box 1096 • Byron Bay NSW 2481 • [email protected] • Phone 02 6685 6470 • Fax 02 6685 5245

114 A T M

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W \ \ — R e s e a r c h

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Soil Moisture Sensors An Overview

The quality of turf management decisions is

dependent on the quality of the information

available. Soil moisture sensor technology has

the potential to provide managers with up to

date accurate readings of the moisture level

within the soil profile. This knowledge is

extremely valuable when making decisions

about water management on a turf site.

Soil moisture sensor technology has

promised a lot over the past decade, yet the

degree of adoption in the turf industry has

been relatively low. Quite a few turf managers

have installed sensors, but for various reasons

have not continued to use the equipment over

the longer term. The reasons appear to be

related to both technical and management

issues. The turf industry is lagging behind

agriculture and viticulture in the use of soil

moisture sensors as an integral part of the

irrigation management of their crops.

The technology is continuing to be developed

and refined. It is now recognised that reliability

of equipment is paramount and techniques to

reduce the risk of failure through causes such as

wetting of electronic components and cable

failures have been addressed. Soil moisture

sensors need to operate in a very hostile

environment. The importance of achieving sound

installation of the sensor, both in terms of

gaining representative soil moisture readings,

and effective operation of the equipment are

now well recognised. There have been important

developments and lessons learnt over recent years.

Soil moisture sensors should be seen as a

valuable source of information for the turf

irrigation manager.

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! k I

BY GEOFF CONNELLAN

BENEFITS OF SOIL MOISTURE SENSORS The soil moisture sensor is not just a switching device for irrigation controllers. It offers a lot more than that. Our knowledge of what is actually going on in the soil is very limited, if not non-existent. The sensor can provide information on many aspects of water in the soil. In addition to water status, it can also provide information on water location and the rate of water movement in the soil. It can tell us a lot about what is going on and provide valuable information on water movement down the soil profile following irrigation and rainfall, the water extraction rate by the turf and the uptake of water by root systems at different depths. Some sensors have the additional capability of providing information on soil temperature, pH and electroconductivity (EC) levels. In summary the following are potential benefits of soil moisture sensors:

1 Provide feedback on soil moisture level for correct scheduling of irrigation

2 Switching of irrigation controller 3 Determine effectiveness of irrigation -

monitor wastage through deep drainage 4 Evaluate/analyse plant demand for water 5 Detect leaching of nutrients

6 Assess the effectiveness of rainfall 7 Provide additional information on soil

environment eg. soil temperature, electrical conductivity (EC)

8 Save water by improving irrigation effectiveness

9 Reduce water wastage

IMPROVED IRRIGATION SCHEDULING It is generally recognised that the greatest opportunity for the saving of water is through improved irrigation operation. It is very common for water in excess by 20% to 30% of requirements being applied to a site. In a turf field trial in Melbourne, conducted on sports ovals in the Camberwell area, the "Watermatic" (Cuming) soil moisture sensor was found to provide water savings in the range of 40% to 50% (Connellan et al, 1992).

The control and operation of the irrigation system, so that the appropriate depth or amount of water is applied at the correct time, is referred to as Irrigation Scheduling. Basically it is the determination of how much to apply and when to apply it? Scheduling techniques available include those that involve direct measurement of soil moisture, using soil moisture sensors and those that estimate available water using a crop

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water use estimation or water budget approach. The use of time only is a poor approach to irrigation control.

In some installations the irrigation system is programmed to operate on time, but it incorporates a soil moisture sensor as feedback to the controller. If the soil moisture is above a critical level (eg following rain) then the controller operation will be cancelled.

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Soil Moisture Sensors

soil in the range between these extremes that generally is the major task. The simplest technique to measure soil moisture is to take a sample, weigh it, dry it and then weigh it again. The amount of water evaporated is calculated. This technique is referred to as Gravimetric. It is commonly expressed on a volume percentage basis and is an accurate and direct method of measurement. It is not practical to carry out Gravimetric checks on a regular basis. It is very time consuming and it is a destructive type of test. Sensors that allow continual monitoring of the moisture have much more appeal.

Plant growth is dependent not only on the amount or volume of water in the soil but also the soil moisture tension or how tightly the water is being held by the soil. The soil type and moisture level determine how tightly the water held by a particular soil.

Both soil water tension and soil water content are therefore relevant in the management of soil moisture. The relationship between soil water content and associated water tension, for a particular soil, can be described through a characteristic curve for that soil. This relationship needs to be appreciated when measuring and managing the water in the soil for turf, as both the accessibility of the water and the total amount of water available are important in making irrigation management decisions.

There are large differences in the water holding properties of sands, loams and clays as a result of differences in particle sizes and particle distribution (Handreck and Black, 1991). In soils with small particles, for example clays and loams, water is stored in many small cavities or voids which are formed by the surfaces of many small angular particles.

SPORTS TURF DRAINERS & CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS SLIT DRAINAGE SAND GROOVING LASER LEVELLING/GRADING USER CONTROLLED TRENCHING

TURF DRAIN AUSTRALIA Bob Paddison Phone: Fax: Mobile: Email: Website:

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T U R F DRAIN

water use for each area or zone. This is referred to as the water budget method.

The soil moisture sensor on the other hand provides site specific soil moisture information that can signal the need for irrigation. It is a more direct method of indicating when to irrigate. Its accuracy, however, is dependent on several significant factors including position of the sensor, (how representative it is), the number of sensors, soil consistency, sensor installation and sensor reliability.

SOILS AND SOIL MOISTURE SENSING All turf managers are well aware of the extremes in soil moisture conditions - very wet (saturated) or dry. It is the management of the

TDR - TRACE - PROBE SENSOR AND PROCESSOR. Two pronged, wave guide sensor provides soil moisture readings using TDR principle (Trase). Mainly used a portable instrument which provides precision volumetric soil moisture readings directly from the processor unit.

WEATHER STATIONS AND SOIL MOISTURE SENSORS A topic of debate in irrigation is whether soil moisture sensors or a weather station should be used as the major source of information to assist in irrigation scheduling. The simple answer is that ideally both would be used. They are complementary.

The weather station uses local solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity and wind to estimate, often on an hourly basis, the water used by the turf. Reasonably accurate estimates of the water use by the turf can be made using crop water use coefficients in conjunction with évapotranspiration estimations. Decisions regarding irrigation are then based on

l is A T M

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Soil Moisture Sensors

dielectric constant. The way in which these measurements are made vary and hence there are numerous types of soil moisture sensors, each with their own properties and characteristics. Some examples include Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR), Time Domain Transmission (TDT), Frequency Domain Reflectometetry (FDR) and Capacitance.

Australian irrigated agriculture has relied on the neutron probe meter to aid in irrigation management for decades. This technique is based on a nuclear source emitting neutrons and counting the number received from the soil. Due to it's expensive and need for safe handling it is not suited to many turf situations.

A comprehensive list of soil moisture sensors including methodology used in measurement, calibration, data handling, maintenance, potential limitations and positive points are presented in the publication Soil Water Monitoring (Charlesworth, 2000).

The forces holding the water (water tension) in contact with the surface of the particles are potentially large in soils with small particle sizes. Continual removal of water from these soils becomes increasingly difficult because soil water tension increases.

A key part of soil water management is knowing the soil type and soil properties.

TYPES OF SOIL MOISTURE S E N S O R S The soil moisture sensor equipment that is currently available on the market can be broadly grouped according to the two basic techniques of measuring water tension and water volume.

Tension Type Soil Moisture Sensors These devices are based on the use of a porous media (eg. gypsum, ceramic) that interfaces with the surrounding soil and allows a physical or electrical measurement to be made. Examples include tensiometers, gypsum blocks, granular matrix sensors and various hybrid units.

Volumetric Water Content Type Soil Moisture Sensors These devices generally use some form of electrical measurement to determine water in the surrounding soil through the measurement of an electrical property associated with the water in the soil. Electrical properties include conductivity, resistance, capacitance and

SOIL MOISTURE S E N S O R S FOR TURF Shallow root zones Turf root zone depths are relatively shallow, usually within the top 200 mm. A single sensor may need to be positioned at a depth of approximately 100 mm in order to gain a representative reading of soil moisture. This limited space places constraints on the dimension and installation of a sensor. The design of some sensors does not readily suit these situations. Sensors which require large vertical access tubes or a large in size/volume are not readily suited.

The capacity of the soil moisture sensor device to obtain accurate readings is dependent on the sensor taking measurements that truly

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A T M 21

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Soil Moisture Sensors

and accurately represent the conditions in the soil volume at that point. Positioning of some sensors close to the soil surface can result in incorrect readings as a result of the distortion of the electrical signal by the surface.

• d l E H I H H a H l AQUAFLEX - INSTALLATION. Installation of flexible, 3 metre long, TDT type sensor (Aquaflex) as part of golf green construction. Sensor provides averaged soil moisture and temperature readings within a large turf soil volume.

Functional Surfaces In most situations, where turf soil moisture sensors are required, there will the requirement to maintain a functional and totally usable surface. Protrusion of equipment above the ground or interruptions in the surface are not acceptable. Under these circumstances it is best to have a sensor completely buried. Some manufacturers of access tube type devices have now developed systems that house the electronics below the surface and in some cases below the sensors in the bottom of the sensor assembly. Waterproofing of permanently installed sensor and their associated electronics is an important feature of any new soil moisture sensor system. Some requirements for soil moisture sensors used for turf are:

1 Accurate and rapid measurement in reasonably open soils e.g. sands and sandy loams

2 Work effectively in relatively shallow depths e.g. from 100 mm to 300 mm

3 Not significantly affected by soil nutrient, soil salinity and temperature

4 Repeatable behaviour following wetting and drying cycles

5 Able to be readily calibrated for a particular soil

6 Output signal to be readily understood and compatible with monitoring and control equipment

7 Robust and reliable

SOME SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR INSTALLATION ISSUES Soil moisture sensors are only as good as the soundness and effectiveness of their installation. The soil environment is harsh and the distances over which measurements are generally made

are very short. Small disruptions (eg air pockets) can lead to large errors. The installation of the sensor is vital to the success of this technology.

The value of soil moisture sensor readings to the turf manager is enhanced as the number of sensors used is increased. Ideally there should be sensors for each different zone within the total irrigated area. This is generally impractical due to the cost. Selecting positions that are representative becomes an important issue.

Sampling device Soil moisture sensors provide valuable data for improved irrigation management however a significant limitation is that the readings reflect only one point in the soil profile. This needs to be recognised. It is a sampling device. One sensor, on a sports field for example, may respond to an area of 0.25 m2 in the total area of 15,000 m2. This represents a sampling rate of 1 in 60,000. Many sensors in fact utilise much smaller areas than 0.25 m2 in the measurement of soil moisture.

A key advantage of a sensor that uses a long sensing element (eg. "Aquaflex" with 3 metre cable) is that it samples a much larger soil volume to gain a representative reading of soil moisture.

The selection of the soil moisture sensor position, in relation to the soil profile, root system and irrigation distribution, is critical to ensure that readings are representative.

Sensor Location An important issue for irrigation managers is the number of sensors and where they should be positioned. Sensor position needs to be considered both from a ground area and soil depth perspective.

Area location The location of a sensor in an irrigated area requires an appreciation of the application performance of the irrigation system. A sensor needs to be installed in a location that is representative of the irrigated area. All sprinkler irrigation systems have some degree of variation in application depths. There are "wet" spots and "dry" spots. Over short distances there is a range (amount varies, depends on system) in amounts of water deposited by the sprinklers. The position of a sensor needs to be carefully selected within the sprinkler pattern. If the sensor is installed in a position that tends to be overwatered, then this area will continue to remain wet even though in other areas are relatively dry. The reading from this sensor will prevent the system from operating when the majority of the turf area should be irrigated. If the sensor is positioned in a relatively dry area of the sprinkler pattern, then some areas will be overwatered.

120 A T M

Depth Soil moisture systems are available in many different configurations. Sensors are available as single units and multiple sensor assemblies. Capacitance type sensors (eg. C Probe, Enviroscan, Gopher), use a circular electrode to measure soil moisture. The sensor electrodes are positioned at designated intervals within a PVC access tube. The sensor assembly is generally installed in a vertical position with sensors positioned at designated depths and spacings. This type of sensing arrangement has the advantage of being able to monitor at one location down the complete soil profile. This presents a much more comprehensive view of what is going on, in terms of the water, soil and crop, compared to a single point system.

Sensor Output Signal A sensor provides an electrical signal as an output. The associated electronic system processes this signal and uses it in the controller decision making process (to turn on or off the irrigation) or delivers it into some form of data storage file. Turf managers are generally not experts in interpreting complex raw data. To be valuable sources of information or management tool a sensor system should present the data in a form that is readily understood and usable by the turf manager. Due to the nature of the device, this will generally mean that some for of calibration will be required to relate sensor readings to the particular soil type at the site. In addition to knowing the soil type, it is critical to know the root zone depth, if the amount of water available to the turf is going to be used as the base information for the irrigation manager. Soil moisture sensors which are designed to be used by turf managers should present information in a form that readily allows the status of soil moisture in the root zone to be easily controlled or monitored.

SUMMARY Soil moisture sensor technology is continuing to be developed to better meet the special needs of the turf industry. The soil moisture sensor should be viewed as a source of information that can aid the management of a whole range of water related issues. It is a management tool, not just a piece of irrigation technology. Quality decisions require use of quality information A

REFERENCES

Charlesworth, P. (2000) Soil Water Monitoring, Irrigation Insights Number One, Land and Water Australia, Canberra, ACT.

Connellan. C. J., Cahir. B., Peasley B. and Neylan J. (1992) Progress report Turf Water Efficiency Trial (Camberwell) 28 October 1992, Burnley College. VCAH

Handreck. K. and Black. N (1991) Crowing Media for Ornamental Plants and Turf, New South Wales University Press. Kensington. NSW.

Geoff Connellan, Burnley College, University of Melbourne

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The 8th hole at Darwin Golf Club

crew also face some unique challenges with the sporting fields. "One of the biggest problems that we face is that the fields were laid with Argentine Pensacola grass, which is not an ideal breed for use on sporting fields. So in order to reduce the amount of wear and increase the buffer to prevent injury, we increase our level of seeding to maintain a high density in the turf'.

Also included in the sports field maintenance program is caring for Darwin's recently refurbished Marrara Stadium, which will host an AFL exhibition game this year and is also pushing to host international events such as test and one day cricket later this year. Shane has been busy with the upgrade to the oval where he was involved in laying a new Legend couch surface. "There were plenty of people who didn't think that Legend would work up here in Darwin, but the grass has adapted really well and has provided us with an international standard playing field", says Shane.

Located in the heart of the city is Darwin Golf Club, one of the earliest Peter Thompson/Michael Wolveridge designed 18-Hole Championship courses in Australia. It demands accuracy from the tee and a good touch around the green and mastering the course is dependant on finding the right balance between patience and aggression.

Maintaining the course for the past two years has been course superintendent Shane Bisseker. Shane is no stranger to working in tropical conditions, as he spent six years in Malaysia and Brunei as a course superintendent on three different courses, which included Pulai Springs Golf Resort when it was voted as the World's Best Golf Resort in 2000. "The experience that I gained in Asia was valuable for preparing me the maintenance program required here at Darwin Golf Club, but it couldn't prepare me for the severity of the dry season here. The longest dry period that I experienced in Asia was 24 days, while the dry season here in Darwin is nine months", says Shane.

Working in Darwin's harsh climate provides Shane and his crew with some major challenges. "Irrigation is the key when working in a climate like we have here in Darwin", explains Shane. "We have just put in a place a $3.5million on-site water treatment plant which allows us to run effluent water to maintain the course during the long dry season". The three month long wet season also provides its share of challenges. The high humidity makes working conditions very tough and the lack of light is also a factor in not only maintenance time, but also grass development. The wet season conditions also leave the course exposed to numerous diseases and Shane and his crew need to run a continuous aeration programme during this time

In addition to maintaining the golf course, Shane and his crew have recently taken over the contract for caring for Darwin's main sporting precinct. This includes maintaining approximately 15 fields used for a diverse range of sports like Rugby Union and League, Australian Rules Football, Soccer, Cricket, Athletics, Hockey, Softball, Baseball as well as the Gun Club. In addition to the seasonal problems similar to those faced at the golf club, Shane and his

By maintaining both the golf course and sporting fields of Darwin, Shane has been able to increase the number of staff in his crew as well as upgrading the quality of his fleet, which includes John Deere Tri-plex Greensmowers, Commercial Out-front Mowers and Tractors. "The sporting ground contract allows me to not only increase the size of my maintenance crew, but also provides the opportunity to multi-skill them by exposing them to a number of different maintenance issues," states Shane.

Helping Shane with sales and service support is the local John Deere dealer, Vanderfield Machinery. "Darwin's harsh conditions certainly are punishing on the equipment that we run, so it is great that we have a local dealer that we can call on for support. Keeping downtime to a minimum is crucial and Vanderfield are able to help out here with their parts supply", says Shane.

John Deere congratulates Shane and his crew for maintaining an international standard for Darwin's Golf and Turf facilities and looks forward to continuing this relationship in the future.

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By John Neylan

- _ . « •

Even in couchgrass fairways the lack of subsoil moisture is" resulting in turfgrass stress

DROUGHT EFFECTS The prolonged dry conditions around much of Australia continues to provide short and long term challenges for Golf Course Superintendents and Golf Clubs.

The most obvious effect is on the availability of water supplies and the quality of this water. Golf courses that rely on dam supplies filled from local catchments are in a perilous state. From the start of the irrigation season they have had to prioritise where the water will be used, with greens having priority and fairways often left to fend for themselves. In this situation, the benefit of having a well established couchgrass sward highlights the benefits over cool season fairways.

Many golf courses rely on bore water and at this time, this important resource is being placed under considerable pressure with lowering water tables and reduced yields. With the bore water supplies, are we using up what has taken many years to accumulate? Golf Courses relying on creeks, rivers and streams are faced with low flows and reduced extraction entitlements.

As the water supplies diminish without being recharged with fresh water there is a deterioration in quality. Prolonged dry conditions result in the concentration of soluble salts, sodium and chloride and as a consequence turf deterioration can occur.

Observing the effects on turf condition has been interesting and provides an insight into the long term pressures on golf course sustainability. Those golf courses (particularly in the southern states) that have developed pure swards of warm season grasses are managing extremely well with restricted water applications. Those fairways that consist of a mixture of warm and cool season grasses, and rely on a transition between the two are struggling. In a number of situations the die-off of the cool season species (e.g. Poa annua) occurred suddenly in the spring, however, with restricted water applications it is very difficult to encourage the couchgrass to fill in. It further increases the debate on maintaining poly swards of cool and warm season grasses.

Even on couchgrass fairways the lack of subsoil moisture and summer showers is

resulting in turfgrass stress. This is particularly obvious on the weaker strains of couchgrass. Because of the lack of subsoil moisture and the need to irrigate more frequently, it is interesting to note the persistence or germination of weed species such as Poa annua and summer grass. This is an added complication where cool/warm season species fairways are maintained.

There is nothing like a drought and water restrictions to focus attention on alternative water resources and in particular recycled water. In effect this is treated sewerage of which there exists large volumes that are discharged (wasted) often to the ocean. In Melbourne, Melbourne Water are very active in promoting reuse either by "sewer mining" or reuse from treatment plants, (see article in this issue page 32-35). It is very interesting to note the effort put into coming up with a "community friendly" term for this water source so as to avoid the association with its origins. In Victoria the term "New Water" has been trade marked. Having worked for over 20 years in the use of recycled/reclaimed/ "New Water", I am pleased there are now strong political policies being put in place to use this resource.

Education is going to be a huge part of gaining public acceptance, including golf club members. A recent comment from a Herald Sun reader to the '50/50' column (14/1/03) indicates the challenge of gaining acceptance. The reader wrote as follows:

"So the state government is going to introduce recycled sewerage water for our crops. Does this mean we will soon be drinking recycled sewerage and washing our clothes in it?"

This is obviously ridiculous. However, there is work to be done.

In times of reduced water supplies, quality can be a major issue. Now is the time to sample your water supplies and have them checked for salts, sodium and chloride. If you are observing a slight yellowing of the turf, lack of growth, and a poor response to fertiliser, it could be due to the uptake of sodium and chloride. Turf that is wilting, even when there is adequate soil moisture, could be due to increasing soil salinity.

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NORTH LAKES GOLF CLUB In early December, I had the opportunity to look at the North Lakes Golf Course following the qualifying event for the Australian PGA. I last looked at the course in October 2001 while construction was still in full swing. At that time, some of the fairways had been planted and some greens constructed but not grassed. There was still shaping taking place, irrigation was being installed and ponds constructed. At that time it was difficult to imagine the finished product.

Given the time frame, the transformation is a credit to all involved. In particular the course conditioning, with a relatively immature turf has produced an outstanding result. The fairways are "Wintergreen" (an oldie but a goodie) and

the greens are "Tifeagle". I was most interested to observe the "Tifeagle", one of the new hybrid couches. This is the first Australian Golf Course to establish all greens to this new grass and the results indicate that it is performing up to expectation.

North Lakes is managed and owned by Club Corp. of Australia and the General Manager is Neil Gardner Neil is a turfie that started on bowling greens, constructed golf courses in Asia and managed a 36-hole course in the Phillipines. The Superintendent is Scott McKay who has also had experience in Asia and now works for Greenmaw P/L who has the maintenance contract. The presentation and the finish on the golf course is a credit to all staff concerned.

CHANGES AT LAKELANDS GOLF CLUB I was fortunate enough to catch up with Stephen Marsden in early December, during his last week at Lakelands Golf Club. Stephen has taken up a position as the Construction Superintendent on the new Jack Nicklaus Golf Resort at Lake Taupo in New Zealand.

Stephen, Lakelands Golf Club and the groundstaff have assisted the AGCSA tremendously with the establishment and maintenance of our trial plots and for this we are very grateful. Stephen is a model Superintendent and very professional in his demeanour and how he runs his golf course. Stephen was not only responsible for Lakelands, he was also the regional Superintendent for the Club Corp operations in Queensland and New South Wales.

The new Superintendent at Lakelands Golf Club is Darren Moore who did his apprenticeship at Metropolitan Golf Club with Peter Sawyer, spent time in Florida and has completed six years in the Phillipines to move to Lakelands.

The experiences of these Superintendents and others demonstrates the career opportunities for those entering the trade of greenkeeping. In my experience, Superintendents that have lived and worked overseas are highly motivated, have a broader skill base and are good problem solvers, A

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Maximising turf quality, minimising nutrient leaching: Research update from University of Western Australia

The variable-speed lateral boom irrigator used to irrigate experimental plots at Shenton Park.

Establishing and implementing

management practices that limit

nutrient leaching from agricultural

and horticultural land is a priority

in many countries, including

Australia. Movement of nitrogen

and phosphorus through the soil

to surface and ground waters is

of particular concern, as this can

degrade aquatic water systems

and compromise water used for

drinking, industry and recreation

(Carpenter et al., 1998).

Information on irrigation and fertiliser regimes turf under Western Australian conditions, that maintain turf growth, but minimise nutrient Here we report findings from the first phase leaching, is currently lacking for the sandy soils of a 3.5-year study, of Western Australia's Swan Coastal Plain. Most field-based studies investigating nitrogen RESEARCH APPROACH leaching from turf grown on sandy soils have The effects of fertiliser and irrigation regimes on been conducted in North America utilising turf turf growth and quality, plus nutrient leaching, species not commonly grown in Australia is being evaluated at the University of Western (e.g., Brown et al, 1977; Snyder et al. 1984). Australia's Turf Research Facility. The soil is Extrapolating these results to Australia is virgin Karrakatta sand, cleared of native difficult due to climatic and species differences. vegetation in 1996. Previous studies have Furthermore, these studies have mainly studied shown the soil to be free-draining, have low nitrogen leaching from established turf, rather chemical and biological fertility. The surface soil than turf grown for turf roll (sod) production. (0-100mm) has a pH of 4.7, cation exchange The University of Western Australia, in capacity of 2.25 m.e. 100g dry soil \ and partnership with Horticulture Australia Ltd and phosphorus retention index (PRI)of 2.08 industry groups, is currently investigating the (Pathan et al., 2001). interaction between irrigation and fertiliser The field study is investigating four fertiliser regimes on the growth and quality of turf types (conventional (soluble), control release, (Wintergreen couch), as well as nitrogen and pelletised poultry and pelletised biosolids) (Table 1), phosphorus leaching, during the production of each supplied at three rates (100, 200 and 300

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LOUISE BARTON, GEORGE WAN AND TIM COLMER

kg N/ha per "crop"), and under two irrigation rates (70% and 140% daily replacement of net pan evaporation). There are three replicate plots (each 10 m2) of each treatment located in a randomised split-plot design. Fertilisers were applied over a 16 week growing period (commenced October 2001), and at different

frequencies depending on the fertiliser type (Table 1), to turf planted as rhizomes. A variable-speed traveling boom irrigator (Short & Colmer, 1998) was used to ensure water inputs are precise and reproducible.

Nutrient leaching from the various fertiliser and irrigation treatments was monitored using

soil lysimeters installed in the plots before the commencement of the study. Soil lysimeters consist of PVC cylinders (250 mm in diameter by 950 mm in length), filled with soil, and with a bucket at the base to collect leachate. The lysimeters used in our study contained topsoil (0-150mm) and subsoil (150 mm-980 mm)

Table 1. Selected characteristics and timing of application of the fertilisers. The conventional and control-release fertiliser treatments include a combination of two fertilisers

Fertiliser Nitrogeni %) Phosphorus(%) Potassium(%)

Conventional3

Conventional I 6.4 11.2 11.2 Conventional II 34 - -

Control-release6

Control-release I 16 11 10 Control-release II 31 2 4

Pelletised poultry0 4.0 1.3 1.7 Pelletised biosolid0 5.5 1.5 ?

a20% of total nitrogen applied as Conventional I and incorporated prior to planting. Remaining nitrogen applied as Conventional II and every three weeks as split applications. b20% of total N applied as Control-release I immediately after planting. Remaining nitrogen applied as Control-release II every 6 (100 kg N/ha), 4 (200 kg N/ha) or 3 weeks (300 kg N/ha) as split applications. c70% of total nitrogen incorporated prior to planting, and then remainder applied every four weeks as split applications.

Incorporating fertilisers (except control-release) prior to planting turf.

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A T M 29

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collected from the site. Rhizomes were planted in the lysimeters at the same time the field plots were planted.

A series of turf and leachate measurements were taken from the plots and lysimeters to assess turf growth and nutrient leaching during the study (Table 2). At the completion of the 16 weeks, the turf was cut and removed from plots and lysimeters, and the plots re-established for a second cropping phase. A turf roll from six turf farms on Perth's Swan Coastal Plain were collected one week after harvesting the turf at our turf research facility. The total nitrogen content of the industry rolls was measured and compared with those collected from the turf research facility.

S U M M A R Y OF MAJOR F INDINGS Turf growth and quality Decreasing the irrigation rate from 140% replacement of daily evaporation to 70%, generally increased the turf growth for the conventional, poultry and biosolid treatments applied at 200 and 300 kg N/ha (Figure 1). Turf fertilised using control-release was generally unaffected by irrigation rate, except at 200 kg N/ha when increasing the irrigation rate decreased growth. At the low irrigation rate, turf growth at each fertiliser rate was greatest for conventional fertiliser treatment followed by control-release, biosolids and poultry treatments. Increasing the fertiliser application rate always increased turf growth for each fertiliser type at the low irrigation rate. By comparison at the high irrigation rate, turf growth was greatest for the control-release fertiliser, and increasing the application rate did not necessarily increase turf growth.

Turf colour appeared to vary between high and low irrigation treatments during the trial, with low irrigation treatments tending to look greener than high irrigation treatments . However by harvest, chromameter results

Table 2. Turf and leachate measurements

Measurement Rationale

Turf biomass production (clippings+roll)3

Turf roll colour6

Turf roll strength0

Lysimeter leachate volumes & nitrogen content Lysimeter turf biomass production & nitrogen content3

Lysimeter turf roll soil content Anaerobically mineralisable soil nitrogen (at harvest)

Assess turf growth Assess turf quality Assess turf quality Calculate drainage and nitrogen leaching Calculate turf nitrogen uptake Calculate soil nitrogen removal Indicator of residual nitrogen in soil

*Turf clipping collected weekly from plots (and lysimeters) from eight weeks after planting and onwards. bColour measured using a chromameter.

Strength assessed by lifting three rolls from each plot and reporting the number (out of three) that remained intact. dPhosphorus leaching and other parameters have been measured, but for brevity are not reported here.

Conventional A. High irrigation

Pelletised Poultry

ite: OU

B. Low irrigation

A. High irrigation

ïi

• • 1

B. Low irrigation

* as Turf colour for conventional fertiliser and pelletised poultry treatments (200 kg N/ha ) at high (A) and low (B) irrigation treatments, after 10 weeks growth.

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128 A T M

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3 0 0 0

£ 2 5 0 0 i O c O 2 0 0 0

0 > "«3 1500 JS 3 E 1000 3 o

5 0 0

0

3 0 0 0

.c 2 5 0 0 % o 2 o 2 0 0 0

0)

1500 « 3 E 1000 3 o

5 0 0

0

LOW IRRIGATION

Conventional Control-release Poultry

HIGH IRRIGATION

Conventional Control-release Poultry

100kg N/ha 200kg N/ha 300kg N/ha

ü ii Biosolids

100kg N/ha 200kg N/ha 300kg N/ha

d

ag

il iï ac fg

ag

i l Biosolids

Fig 1. Cumulative growth for the (A) and the (B) irrigation treatments for couch grown under each fertiliser type and fertiliser rate. Values represent means (n=3) . For each graph, columns with the same letter are not statistically different at 5% confidence level.

showed irrigation did not have a significant effect on turf colour. Instead turf colour tended to depend on fertiliser type and fertiliser rate. Greater colour was recorded for inorganic fertilisers than organic fertilisers, especially when applied at the higher fertiliser rates.

The ability of the turf sods to remain intact when handled depended mainly on fertiliser type and fertiliser rate. Irrigation rate did not have a significant effect on sod strength. Turf receiving inorganic fertilisers at 200 to 300 kg N/ha was most likely to remain intact. Whereas, turf fertilised with pelletised poultry or pelletised biosolids (at all rates) rarely stayed intact.

Leaching and nitrogen budget The cumulative leachate volumes for the first 16 weeks of the study were greater from the high irrigation treatment than low irrigation treatments. The average cumulative loss from the low irrigation treatment was 1155 L per 10 m2 (15 % of the water (+rainfall) applied during the same period); whilst the average cumulative loss from the high irrigation treatment was 7196 L per 10 m2 (53 % of water applied).

Nitrogen leaching losses ranged from 8 to 110 kg N/ha after 16 weeks. Nitrogen leaching losses varied depending upon irrigation rate, fertiliser type and fertiliser rate. Increasing the irrigation rate increased nitrogen losses by approximately 3 to 10-fold.

At the high irrigation treatment nitrogen leaching losses decreased in the order conventional > pelletised poultry = pelletised biosolids > control release. Increasing the nitrogen application rate further increased nitrogen leaching losses. At the lower irrigation rate, fertiliser type and fertiliser rate had no effect on leaching losses; consequently differences within the low irrigation treatments did not exceed 14 kg N/ha. In all treatments nitrogen leached was mainly in the nitrate form.

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Turf nitrogen uptake (clippings plus turf roll) ranged from 23 to 220 kg N/ha after 16 weeks growth. Nitrogen removal by mower clippings represented 6 to 45% of nitrogen uptake from the high irrigation treatments and 15 to 47% from the low irrigation treatments. Decreasing the irrigation rate and increasing the fertiliser rate both increased turf nitrogen uptake. Turf uptake was greatest for the conventional fertiliser, followed by control-release and then the organic fertilisers. The nitrogen removal by turf rolls collected from industry sites ranged from 100 and 170 kg N/ha. These nitrogen removal rates were similar to those reported for plots in our study receiving either conventional

The research facility at Shenton park, Perth

or control-release fertilisers (200 and 300 kg N/ha treatments only).

Soil nitrogen removal in the turf roll ranged from 37 to 95 kg N/ha. The nitrogen contained in the turf roll soil represents both residual fertiliser and that already present in the soil before the trial commenced. Soil nitrogen removal was only effected by fertiliser type, with removal rates greatest for pelletised biosolids and pelletised poultry and least for conventional fertiliser treatment.

The amount of residual nitrogen (anaerobically mineralisable nitrogen) remaining in treatment plots at harvest demonstrated that residual nitrogen was greater in organic than inorganic treatments, with the amount of nitrogen potentially available for the next crop decreasing in the order pelletised poultry > biosolids > control-release = conventional.

CONCLUSIONS Increasing the irrigation rate from 70 to 140% daily replacement of pan evaporation decreased the efficiency of all fertiliser types for a spring/summer crop. Increasing the irrigation rate decreased turf growth, as well as decreased nitrogen uptake. Increasing the irrigation rate also substantially increased nitrogen leaching losses, mainly in the form of nitrate. Inorganic fertilisers (i.e., conventional and control-release) promoted greater growth, and produced rolls with better colour and strength than organic fertilisers (i.e., pelletised poultry and pelletised biosolids). However, organic fertilisers provided more residual nitrogen than the inorganic fertilisers (the value of this residual nitrogen will be assessed in subsequent crops). The nitrogen content of turf rolls from the inorganic fertiliser

treatments receiving 200 or 300 kg N/ha (at both irrigation rates) were similar to those collected from industry. The results to date indicate that optimising irrigation regimes will not only increase turf growth, but also minimise nitrogen leaching. The study is currently on going, consequently recommendations regarding fertiliser types and rates will be provided at the completion of the field study when we will have determined nutrient budgets from four turf crops (2 spring-summer; 2 summer-autumn-winter).

REFERENCES Brown, K.W., J.C. Thomas, and R.L Duble. 1982. Nitrogen source effect on nitrate and ammonium leaching and runoff losses from greens. Agronomy Journal 74: 947-950.

Carpenter, S.R., N.F. Caraco, D.L Correll, R.W., Howarth, A.N.. Sharpley and V.H. Smith. 1998. Nonpoint pollution of surface waters with phosphorus and nitrogen. Ecological Applications 8: 559-568.

Short, D., and T. Colmer. 1998. Water use and drought tolerance in turf grasses: New research in Western Australia. Irrigation Australia 13(2): 4-7.

Snyder, C.H.. BJ. Augustin, and J.M. Davidson. 1984. Moisture sensor-controlled irrigation for reducing N leaching in bermudagrass turf. Agronomy Journal 76: 964-969

Pathan, S.M., L.A.C Aylmore and T.D. Colmer. 2001. Fly ash amendment of sandy soil to improve water and nutrient use efficiency in turf culture. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 9: 33-39

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Louise Barton, George Wan and Tim Colmer, Faculty of Natural

& Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Australia,

http://www. fnas. uwa. edu. au/turfresearch/index, htm

This research is supported by Horticulture Australia Ltd

(Project TU00007), Turf Growers Association of WA, Golf

Course Superintendents of WA, Scotts Australia,

CRESCO/CSBP, Organic 2000, MicroControl Engineering

(Rainman), City of Stirling, City of Nedlands, WA Water

Corporation and WA Waters & Rivers Commission.

Members of the UWA Turf Research Steering Committee are

thanked for their support and advice throughout the field trial. JL

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130 A T M

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Recycled Water - A Viable Alternative

Melbourne Water Corporation's Eastern Treatment Plant at Bangholme

Introduction Managers of large areas of irrigated open space, such as golf courses, need to assess their current water resources in terms of volumes used and opportunities for using alternative water resources. Especially in instances where there is currently a reliance on highly valued or over allocated resources such as drinking water and groundwater. One resource currently under utilised is recycled water. Recycled water has many benefits. It reduces the demand on freshwater resources, protects the environment by reducing the discharge of treated effluent to bays and the ocean, creates employment and economic growth, and makes use of a resource that currently goes to waste. In some situations it can also be viewed as an enhanced water source if nutrients can be used to reduce the need for applying additional fertilizers. Water recycling will defer or even prevent the need to build further storages, which are very expensive and environmentally unacceptable to the community.

Early last year the Melbourne Water Corporation (MWC) in association with Bayside, Monash and Kingston City Councils, engaged Earth Tech Engineering (ETE) to undertake a study to investigate the potential for the use of recycled water in the 'Sand Belt' area of Melbourne.

This recycled water study resulted from scoping workshops held in February 2002 and September 2002, where several major open space managers, including golf clubs, local municipal councils and Parks Victoria were invited to input into the extent of the study.

This article provides a summary of the findings of the investigations to date and highlights some of the issues surrounding long term water supply sustainability.

Project Scope The project scope was developed at the February workshop where it was agreed the study would:

1) Only consider 'Class A' recycled water; and 2) Consider various servicing scenarios and

develop estimated cost structures including:

Using 'sewer mining' or 'At Source Recycling' technology • servicing individual golf clubs such as Spring

Valley and Woodlands; • servicing clusters of clubs such as: - Royal Melbourne Sandringham, Victoria,

Cheltenham, - Kingston Heath, Capital, and - Metropolitan, Huntingdale, Commonwealth,

Yarra Yarra

Using a piped network • serving all potential users with a recycled

water reticulation network from MWC's Eastern Treatment Plant at Bangholme.

Golf clubs in particular have a good understanding of the operational issues which go hand in hand with a recycled water scheme and there is a good appreciation of the management of recycled water from application rates, periods of operation, nutrient loading of turf grasses, etc.

Relevant current issues for long term water supply sustainability Regarding the long term sustainability of water supply, options for supply in the 'Sand Belt' region generally come from four sources;

1. reticulated potable water 2. redirected storm water 3. bore water 4. recycled water

Whilst clubs varied greatly in the level of reliance they had on any of the above water sources, the investigations so far indicate that there is a keen interest in long term security of supply and acknowledgement that the source water which has historically been used to now may not necessarily be the ongoing source of sustainable supply into the future. With this in mind, it will be imperative for golf clubs and other major users to consider a long term strategy for sustainable water supply and some of the current issues which are being considered in the water sector.

In brief, some current relevant issues are:

Reticulated Potable Water • The Victorian Governments Strategic

Directions Report which considers 'planning for the future of our water resources' sets out that there will not be any additional major water storages constructed to service Melbourne for the next 50 years. This means that servicing for growth will need to be achieved by improved demand management

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BY PHIL GEORGE, PETER ROBINSON AND MARNIE IRELAND

techniques, thereby reducing current usage rates of potable water supply.

• The same report indicates that in the future managers of large open spaces will be required to have water supply management plans which are auditable.

• Importantly seasonal summer pricing may be introduced for reticulated potable water which doubles the current price of water to approximately $1500 per Ml for the period of the year water is most needed for irrigation.

Redirected Storm Water • Drainage authorities are becoming more

aware and focused on total catchment management issues.

• Environmental flows to streams, creeks and rivers is becoming more and more of a social issue.

• From a security of supply perspective, if it does not rain there is no runoff so other source waters need to be utilised.

• Diminishing opportunity to redirect storm water flows for irrigation use.

Bore Water • Southern Rural Water which administers

bore water licenses has advised that the Moorabbin aquifer which covers the area of interest is reaching supply capacity and little if any additional bores will be approved into the future.

• More stringent management and monitoring of existing bores will be required with metering and reading of bores to be compulsory.

• Yields from existing bores are in some instances reported to be reducing or less reliable.

• Bore water quality is also becoming more variable with salinity becoming more apparent.

• Actual real costs for bore water supply are sometimes not well known due to 'hidden' operations and maintenance costs.

Recycled Water • Recycled water is a new 'real' alternative

for Melbourne but already well know elsewhere.

• Recycled water can effectively 'drought proof properties as the source water which has a 'guaranteed' minimum dry weather flow.

• Use of recycled water is sustainable under a properly designed and management irrigation plan.

• Improvements in treatment process technologies in recent years have made recycling more cost competitive than in the past.

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A T M 35

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Phone: (03) 5966 6251 Fax: (03) 5966 6451 36 Hazeldene Rd. Gladysdale. Victoria 3797 Email: [email protected]

Key Contacts: Chris Young: 0417 380 298Paul Reeves 0419 895 939 or Mick OShannessy 0409 231 385

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Recycled Water - A Viable Alternative

In summary, for major water users, it is apparent that for a robust long term water supply strategy consideration needs to be given to recycled water as a viable alternative source water to ensure long term sustainability of supply in a cost effective manner.

Water usage and cost for recycled water As mentioned earlier the usage of water supply varies from club to club and source to source. However, generally speaking, on a peak demand day, i.e. a day in the middle of summer when irrigation of courses is at its highest, the water application rate will typically be in the range of 0 . 5 - 1 . 0 AAL/day.

Recycled water can be supplied via two methods:

1) 'At Source Recycling' (ASR or Sewer Mining); or 2) Reticulated network.

ASR typically involves the installation of a localised treatment plant which takes sewage from a nearby trunk sewer treats to an appropriate standard and discharges any waste back to the sewer network. Treated recycled water is then available for application. ASR plants are fully self-contained with odour and noise management in an environmentally advanced manner with minimal impact on the surrounding environment.

Reticulated network for recycled water relies on the availability of an existing sewage treatment plant, such as in this case the Eastern Treatment Plant at Bangholme, with a piped recycled water scheme extending from the downstream end of the treatment plant to users along the reticulated network.

Approximate costings for recycled water using both these methods have been developed for the 'Sand Belt' region.

At source recycling plants Based on an average peak daily demand of around 0.8 Ml/day per golf club for the scenarios detailed in the project scope earlier, this equates to ASR plants in the following capacity ranges: Individual Golf Club: ARS capacity @0.8 Ml/day Cluster of 4 clubs: ARS capacity @2.5 Ml/day

As an example, a 0.8 Ml/day ASR plant treating to Class A3 will cost approximately $1,800 / Ml for water supplied to the 'front gate'. Alternatively, a 2.5 Ml/day ASR plant treating to Class A3 will cost approximately $1,200 / Ml. There will be some additional costs associated with actually piping the recycled water from the trunk sewer to the property boundary but this will be on a case-by-case basis.

Reticulated network option Preliminary site investigations have been undertaken which consider the viability of a reticulated recycled water pipeline from the Eastern Treatment Plant following the Eastern Trunk Sewer easement northwards through to around Kingston Road, Heatherton then northwards to Centre Road Oakleigh South. A lateral recycled water supply main would also extend along Centre Dandenong Road.

Overall capital costing of this pipeline is estimated to be $6 to $6.5 million with an annual operating cost of approximately $230,000 to $350,000 depending on a 100 or 150 day irrigation period. This pipeline has been

sized to supply 12 Ml/d to various node points based on anticipated demand from users. Based on the water supply demand nodes shown on the plan should a piped network solution be adopted effectively by all clubs and other potential users this would result in a charge to consumers in the order of $ 650 to 700 per Ml. This compares favourably with a current 'winter' potable water price of @ $780 per Ml. Melbourne Water has indicated it is prepared to consider linking this recycled water price to the winter price for potable water to provide a level of confidence to consumers that the recycled water price will remain lower than the winter potable water price of the day in the future.

Conclusion Initial consideration indicates that the reticulation network option is the most attractive. However, the final actual chargeable amount for recycled water will result from the level of uptake of recycled water. To equitably share the risk of investing and developing a recycled water scheme it is considered reasonable that a 'take or pay' type supply agreement be entered into by each of the consumers which assures Melbourne Water or any third party proponent of the scheme, acceptable revenue streams.

If supported by major open space managers identified in this study they will not only secure the future of their own water supply, but the entire turf industry will learn and benefit from having a scheme on this scale up and running.

Peter Robinson is employed by Earth Tech P/L and

Mamie Ireland is part of the Water Recycling group

within Melbourne Water, it

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"Rosebud Country Club is a busy 36 hole course and our resources are pretty well stretched all year round."

"Our new booster pumps with the Hydrovars gives us peace of mind in knowing that the pumps are doing what they are meant to. This allows me to get on with the job of managing a golf course."

Geoff Parker, Golf Course Superintendent, Rosebud Country Club.

How the Hydrovar reduces energy consumption. Most applications involve the pump operating either along its full speed performance curve or the pumps performance is throttled or regulated by a valve. The Hydrovar eliminates these operating methods by regulating pump speed and hence output to match the system demand. This saves wasted energy traditionally lost in these conventional pump systems. Energy savings of up to 70% can be realized, (figure 1)

Figure 1

P Y/. I s

/ / i > / / / / / / A •'¿¿A / V

= pump with constant speed

H H ^ = pump (variable speed) (Energy saving up to 70% at partial load.)

a Hydrovar? Hydrovar has gained a reputation as the pump mounted, microprocessor pumping system controller. But it does much more than just change motor speed.

It actually manages the performance of the pump to match a wide range of system conditions and requirements.

Hydrovar is fully programmable on site as it incorporates the microprocessor and the variable speed drive in one compact and unique package.

How the Hydrovar reduces maintenance cost. Hydrovar software is designed specifically for centrifugal pump operation, control and protection. Hydrovar can thus be setup to protect the pump from operating under various unfavourable conditions eg. cavitation, operating against closed head, low NPSHa or operation past a pumps maximum flow rate. Hydrovar will automatically shut down and alarm if adverse conditions occur.

Hydrovar provides the Golf Course Superintendent with the flexibility of watering required with substantial savings on installation, power usage and maintenance. For details about the experience of some of Australia and New Zealands most prestigious Golf Clubs who have installed Hydrovar pumping systems, contact the Lowara distributors nearest you.

Brown Brothers Engineers Australia Pty Ltd

Christchurch Phone (03) 365 0279 Auckland Phone (09) 525 8282 Melbourne Phone (03) 9793 9999 Sydney Phone (02) 9624 2577 Email [email protected] Web Site www brownbros com au

Fax (03) 366 6616

Fax (09) 525 8284

Fax (03) 9793 0022

Fax (02) 9624 2561

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Greens Construction Undate

Phil Ford (left) and Dr. Jim Moore (USGA) discuss the changes to the USGA Specification for greens construction.

The authors were fortunate enough to receive Victorian TAFE Association funding to undertake a study tour of the US last October.

Our main aim was to look at the latest developments in the area of greens construction.

There are two main methods of sand based golf green construction - the Californian Method, which consists of straight sand over a shaped clay base, and the Perched Water Table Method which uses a gravel layer over the clay base, with an amended sand rootzone over the gravel. Both systems work well if designed and constructed carefully.

The USGA Specification is a Perched Water Table Method construction with very strict requirements for materials and techniques. A true USGA green complies with all aspects of these specifications, not just some of them. When built according to this specification there are very few problems. Jim Moore, Director of the USGA Construction Education Program, states that problems arising from USGA greens constructions in the US are not agronomic, but contractual. In other words the specification provides excellent drainage, porosity, aeration, root growth and all the other agronomic

considerations. The more common problem is with legal disputes arising between the club and the contractor on whether a particular rootzone sand met the specs, or not etc.

In Australia you'd be hard pressed to find a true USGA green, as we tend to 'improve' on the method or take shortcuts. Once built, these greens get called 'USGA greens' when, in fact, they're actually nowhere near it. Common 'improvements' include an Infiltration Rate that is too high (150-300mm/hr is the normal range), moisture retention figures that are too low (15-20% volumetric MR is required), or gravel sizes that are too large. Another common 'improvement' is to only add peat moss or other amendments to the top half of the profile rather than right through it. Many of our rootzones, in fact, don't use any amendments at all, just the straight sand. I've seen all these modifications occur, but the resulting construction is still called a 'USGA Spec'.

136 A T M

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PHILLIP FORD AND GARY THOMAS

Failures (and rebuilds) with these greens tend to tarnish the reputation of the true USGA spec.

If Superintendents want to build greens according to their own method, that's fine. Nothing against that - just don't call them USGA greens when they're not. Call them 'Perched Water Table' greens if they're on a gravel layer, but don't call them USGA greens unless they actually adhere to all aspects of the specification.

What if you do wish to adhere to the USGA spec? This can only be done if you have a consulting and laboratory service that provides the correct testing for materials. The USGA has an accreditation program and a proficiency testing program for labs to ensure that their testing methods and equipment conforms to certain standards. Infiltration Rate is a good example (also referred to as Hydraulic Conductivity, or K«»). If a rootzone sample is not packed, compacted and tested with the same technique and equipment the results will be all over the place. Maybe we need to send our samples to one of these labs in the US for testing, at least until an Australian lab becomes accredited. Details of these labs are on the USGA web site. These labs will have a Quarantine permit number that should be quoted. You would normally send your primary sand and (separately) your proposed amendments (organic materials or soil). Let them try various combinations of these until they decide on a blend that meets the spec.

Although the USGA Specification provides good agronomics, it is an evolving thing. The next review of the specification is due in 2003, and three of the main proposals for modification are:

1. Trenchless construction: Dr. Ed McCoy from Ohio State has been researching a Flat Pipe product that is designed to sit on the clay base, rather than in a trench. It appears to work well, and will probably be sanctioned under the future USGA spec. It is a plastic construction with no geotextile sock around it. The flat pipe costs around $1.50 per lineal foot compared to $0.3 per foot for conventional flexible drainage coil pipe, but if you add $3.70 per lineal foot for trenching costs, the flat pipe laid on the base surface comes out much cheaper (costs in US dollars). The particular Flat Pipe used (AdvanEDGE, from ADS in Ohio) is marketed under licence out here as Megaflow, from Geofabrics Australia. (Dr. McCoy also studied flat pipe under a California method installation, and sees the need for a geotextile fabric sock in this profile as there is no gravel layer in the California green).

2. Allowing for finer rootzone sands, possibly unamended: The USGA specification sets particle size limits that preclude the use of finer sands (such as our Melbourne sandbelt sands). But Dr. Jim Murphy's work at Rutgers was showing that finer materials at the higher end of the Moisture Retention range and the lower end of the Infiltration Rate range provided better agronomic conditions in the early period of establishment, without creating slower drainage or lower porosity in the longer term. Slow drainage and poor porosity in all profiles over the following years was the result of surface conditions (thatch accumulation), not the underlying rootzone. So it's a fair bet that the

USGA particle size specification will be loosened at the finer end, and that potentially the finer sands could be used unamended (ie: a 'pure sand' rootzone) if they conform to the other soil physical parameters.

3. The USGA: Specification currently allows for amendments such as sphaghum peat moss, reed sedge peat, various compost products, and 'soil' where required to bring the Moisture Retention, Infiltration Rate and Porosity into line. But amendments such as zeolite, that affect the chemistry of the soil more than the physics, may be allowed in future specifications provided they don't push the rootzone out of conformation with the physical characteristics. The USGA specification is primarily a soil physical specification, and if a Turf Manager wishes to incorporate chemical or biological amendments into the profile the USGA will probably allow that, provided the rootzone continues to conform to the physical spec.

The USGA is also trying to promote good sampling method. Often a sand sample will be taken from the outside of a pile and sent off for testing. But wind erosion may have caused the external layer of the pile to be coarser. Correct sampling means taking at least eight sub-samples from the inside of the pile and blending them before sending it off for testing. Again, the USGA web site has the full instructions on this ('Quality Control Sampling of Sand and Rootzone Mixture Stockpiles').

If we think about materials testing for a project here in Australia, we're usually thinking of taking the sample off the back of the truck before it dumps its load. In the US it's taken for

Lets Talk

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4CM capacity Dakota 440 also available.

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Gary Thomas (left) with ex-patriot Stuart Boothe, Assistant Superintendent at Tiburon, Naples, Florida

granted that rootzone mixes will be prepared and stockpiled well before the construction project actually starts, which allows plenty of time for sampling and testing of the various piles well before it turns up at your gate. We need to be working more closely with our sand suppliers to try to get that sort of system going.

What about the California Method? McCoy's work at Ohio showed that California greens with a 3 metre drain spacing resulted in an uneven distribution of moisture after drainage. Basically, the greens were drier directly over the pipes and wetter in between. The USGA greens, on the other hand, had a much more even distribution of moisture thanks

to the gravel layer. Australian information (Mclntyre and Jacobsen) would indicate that California greens built with a drain spacing calculated by Hooghoudt's formula (which would come out at around 1 metre drain spacing, not 3 metre) would fix this problem. Unfortunately, research on the California Method is not being funded and people are still working off the old published California Method specification. This works fine in places like Palm Springs, but really needs modification (ie: closer drain spacings) in wetter climates.

This summarises some of the things we looked at. We are preparing a fairly comprehensive report on our trip, including

photos, which we'll distribute as a CD. If anyone is interested in having this sent out, probably the easiest way is to fax me your details on (03) 9388 1884.

Gary Thomas and I would like to thank the Victorian TAFE Foundation for funding the study tour, and also Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE for their support.

Phillip Ford and Gary Thomas

Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE

Parkville, Victoria A

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138

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A T M

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Install Confidence Install Rain Bird®.

Do you have complete confidence in your irrigation system? Rain Bird does.

We have complete confidence, because irrigation is our sole focus and expertise. From the most advanced, user-friendly central control systems to top quality rotors and innovative swing joints, Rain Bird focuses on engineering complete golf course irrigation systems to cover all of your specific watering needs—both today and tomorrow. Rain Bird's reliable and easy-to-use systems are proven and fully supported by outstanding service. As your irrigation requirements change, Rain Bird will change with you by ensuring that our latest innovations are compatible with your existing equipment. Because you need to trust your irrigation system, install Rain Bird and be confident.

RAIN^BIRD, Call Rain Bird Golf (Australia)

QLD, Wayne Brown on (07) 54671076 or 0419 669 679 VIC, WA, SA, and TAS Brad Fawcett on (03) 9390 7690 or 0407 361 612

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or contact us on our website - http://www.rainbird.com

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E i JOHN DEERE STRENGTHEN THEIR GOLF & TURF COMMITMENT

Kel Davison, Commercial Golf and Turf Manager

John Deere recently strengthened its commitment to the Golf and Turf industry in Australia and New Zealand through the appointment of Kel Davison to Commercial, Golf and Turf Manager. This new role will see Kel manage the marketing activities of both the Golf and Turf and Commercial product lines, including reel mowers, aeration equipment, utility vehicles, commercial out front mowers and compact utility tractors. Rod McDonald, Manager of the Consumer and Commercial Equipment division explains, "with the growing level of synergies that exist between commercial and turf based applications, it was important to develop a role which would centralise the marketing functions of both of these markets. Kel's past experience with the product line and knowledge of the local markets make him the ideal person to grow both the Commercial and Golf and Turf areas of the business".

GREEN BACKS THE AGCSA

As part of John Deere's ongoing commitment to the Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association (AGCSA) and the broader turf industry, John Deere have presented the AGCSA with a donation of US$2,550 that will go into a fund that will be used to support upcoming AGCSA research and education initiatives.

Kel is no stranger to the Golf and Turf industry in Australia and New Zealand. For the last three years, he has held the position of Product Manager for Australasia and the Far East, working directly for John Deere's Golf & Turf factory in the USA. In this role, Kel was responsible for growing the Golf and Turf markets in these areas as well as providing input from a product development perspective.

Further to Kel's appointment, John Deere has also strengthened its corporate support to their dealer network by providing five territory managers who are responsible for Commercial and Golf and Turf support. " We see our dealer network as one of our biggest strengths, so it is vital to offer as much support to them as we can to maintain this competitive advantage", explains Davison. "Through our dedicated Golf & Turf dealer network, we are able to offer sales people, specialised service technicians, and territory managers, who are all based in our customers local area. With the strong relationship nature of our industry, it is great to have such a large number of specialised people out in the marketplace to develop personal relationships with our customers from both a sales and service perspective", says Davison. In addition to the number of people on the ground, John Deere is also able to offer a high level of aftermarket support via its distribution

The contribution stems from a world-wide commitment that John Deere have made to use the John Deere Team Championship as a vehicle to support the local Superintendent Association.

Globally, John Deere have donated over US$275,000 to Golf Course Superintendents Associations through this program and this

network. The new Australia and New Zealand Distribution Centre located in Melbourne plays the biggest role in the process. Having over 12,000 square metres of undercover space allows John Deere to stock more than 75,000 lines and by also having distribution centres in Brisbane and Perth, John Deere is able to offer overnight parts supply to most of Australia and New Zealand. Technology also plays a big role in aftermarket support through the use of programs such as JDPoint™ and JDParts™, which provide dealers who have internet access ordering and enquiry capabilities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

John Deere will also continue to support the Golf and Turf industry in 2003 through sponsorship of the events such as the AGCSA Excellence in Golf Course Management Award and the innovative John Deere Team Championship Golf Tournament. This event provides an ideal internal relationship building opportunity for each of the key decision makers with the golf club by playing in a unique team scramble event, with the added bonus of having the opportunity to represent your club at regional, national and international levels.

For further information, please contact your local John Deere dealer, freecall 1800 800 981, or visit our website www.deere.com.au A

latest donation builds upon the contribution of US$2,375 that was donated to the AGCSA in 2001.

The John Deere Team Championship promotes positive relationship building between decision makers at golf facilities with each team consisting of the club Captain/President, Secretary Manager, Club Professional and Golf Course Superintendent. The teams play a unique scramble event where the pro plays his own ball and the other three team members form a scramble team to play a best ball format, with the best net score from either the pro or scramble team being recorded as the team score.

Regional qualifying events are held around the country with the top two teams at each tournament earning the right to represent their region at the national final. The winner of the national final is then invited to represent Australia at the world final of the John Deere Team Championship, which is held in the United States.

Details on the 2003 John Deere Team Championship will be announced shortly, A

A T M

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AGCSA TO HELP PREPARE MOONAH FOR OPEN

The Australian Golf Union (AGU) is in discussions with the Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association (AGCSA) to assist them with the agronomic aspects of course preparation in the lead up to the 2003 Holden Australian Open.

AGU Chief Executive Officer Colin Philips said that the AGU has had a long and successful history with the AGCSA and that a closer relationship was a logical progression for both groups.

Responsible for providing the agronomic advise and support will be the AGCSA's John Neylan who said the following;

"This is not about the AGCSA or the AGU taking control of the course preparation away the Superintendent, it is about making sure that that person has much greater access to information and support to help them achieve the best possible result Leigh Yanner (Superintendent at Moonah Links in Victoria) is a very talented young Superintendent and I am really looking forward to working with him ". "Within the membership (the AGCSA) have a huge pool of tournament experience that we can draw upon if needed, this is a tremendous resource".

Chief Executive Officer of the AGCSA, Steven Potts had the following to add;

"This is a real coup for the AGCSA, achieving the respect and recognition that the Association deserves is a constant battle. This will really help and I hope all AGCSA Members feel proud of their Associations involvement in the countries most prestigious event"

The AGCSA expects to start working with the AGU and Moonah Links by March this year, a

K&B ADAMS SET TO SELL SCOTTS

K&B Adams have officially joined the national network of distributors who have direct access to products, services and support from Scotts Australia.

With a long history in the Victorian turf market, K&B Adams have a broad customer base that requires the full attention of four sales professionals (Mark Eardley, Bill Shannon, Bruce Stranger and Shane Symes) along with a dedicated office manager in Ross Fergus.

The sales team at K&B are enthusiastic about introducing their customers to Scotts new Sierra range of products.

" The Scotts turf range has really grown over the past few years", says General Manager Mark Eardley. " We have always had healthy respect for Scotts products so we are really pleased to now have a direct account"

K&B Adams can be contacted on 03 9752 4133. A

The sales team at K&B are enthusiastic about introducing their customers to Scotts new Sierra range of products.

Manni-Turf is a range of unique complexed trace elements for use in turf. They provide high efficency foliar trace elements.

All Manni-Turf products are a complex of trace elements with natural sugar compounds known as ManniPlex Sugar Alcohols. The small molecular size of the complex allows the trace elements to move into the turf via the cell wall and cytoplasm. These natural sugars move easily towards plant tissue, being transported both by passive mechanical and active biological means. Once the complex reaches the plant tissue the sugar bond breaks and the trace elements become available where needed.

• • • • • • • Available Analyses: Manni-Turf Fe: Manni-Turf Mn Manni-Turf Ca Manni-Turf Total

6% Iron 6 % Manganese

3.6% Iron 0.56% Manganese

7% Nitrogen 8.4% Nitrogen 14.6% Calcium 5% Nitrogen 1.5% Magnesium 0.8% Zinc

* All trace elements are present as the unique patented ManniPlex Sugar Alcohol Complex Application Rates: Because of its very high foliar uptake efficiency maintenance applications are typically 50 mL per 100 m2. Higher rates can be used when deficiencies already exist.

BARMAC INDUSTRIES PTY LTD 31 Brecknock Street Archcrfield Q L D 4 I 0 8 Ph: 07 3255 6000 Fax: 07 3255 6600

FEATURES

* Trace Elements are complexed using the patented ManniPlex technology

* Complexing is with naturally occuring sugar alcohols

* Nutrients are transported through the plant both actively and passively

* Highest availability of trace elements

* Absorbed through leaves and roots.

Contents 2.5 Litres

A T NI

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wm V / W A > / I > M O

e50 Bookshop4

A Field Guide to Australian Frogs A New Tree biology & Dictionary (Two book set) A practical guide to Ecological Management on the Golf Course An Illustrated Guide to Pruning And If You Play Golf, You're My Friend Arborculture - 3rd Edition Australian Weed Control Handbook - 10th Edition Australian Native Plants Best Golf Course Management Practices Biological Control of Weeds Bird Conservation on Golf Courses Color Atlas of Turf grass Diseases Color Atlas of Turfgrass Weeds Compendium of Turfgrass Diseases Confessions of A Chairman of Green Confidential Guide to Golf Courses Controlling Turfgrass Pests Creeping Bentgrass Management Cricket Grounds Cricket Wickets - Science vs Fiction Crop Weeds CSIRO Handbook of Australian Weeds Destructive Turf Insect Destructive Turfgrass Insect - Biology, Diagnosis & Pests Discovering Donald Ross Diseases of Turfgrasses Disease, Insect & Weed Control in Turf Drainage for Sportsturf and Horticulture Ecological Golf Course Management Effluent Water for Turfgrass irrigation (leaflet) Encyclopaedia of Australian plants Vol 1 Encyclopaedia of Australian plants Vol 2 Encyclopaedia of Australian plants Vol 4 Encyclopaedia of Australian plants Vol 5 Encyclopaedia of Australian plants Vol 6 Encyclopaedia of Australian plants Vol 7 Encyclopaedia of Australian plants Vol 8 Evaluating Turfgrass Sprinkler Irrigation Systems (leaflet) Field Guide to Eucalyptus Field Guide to Eucalyptus - Vol 2 - S.W. & S. Australia Field guide to Eucalyptus - Vol 3 N. Australia Field Guide to weeds in Australia Flora of NSW Volume 3 Flora of NSW Volume 4 For All Who Love The Game Fundamentals of Turfgrass Management Fundamentals of Weed Science Golf Architecture Golf Course Architecture - Design, Construction Golf Course Construction, Renovation and Growth Golf Course Design Golf Course Management & Construction Golf Courses of Australia Software Golf Course Tree Management Golf Facility Planning Golf Has Never Failed Me Grasses Grasses of New South Wales Grasses of Temperate Australia Growing Australian Native Plants from Seed Growing Media for Ornamental Plants and Turf Guide to Golf Course Irrigation Systems Design & Drainage Handbook of IPM for Turf & Ornamentals Human Resource Management for Golf Course Superintendents International Turf Management Handbook IPM Handbook for Golf Courses Links Golf - The Inside Story Management of Native Vegetation on Golf Courses (leaflet) Management of Turfgrass Diseases Managing Burmudagrass Turf Managing Turfgrass Pests Managing Wildlife Habitat on Golf Courses Manual of Grasses Masters of the Links Modern Arboriculture

49.50 170.50 60.50 50.70 25.00

115.50 77.00 85.00

209.00 44.00 66.00

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110.00 220.00 127.05 132.00 78.00 71.50 55.00

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209.00 154.00 209.00 104.50 99.00 60.50

141.90

Native Plants of the Sydney District $ 88.00 Natural Turf for Sport & Amenity $ 121.00 Noxious Weeds of Australia S 220.00 Nursery & Landscape Weed Control Manual $ 88.00 Organic Control of Weeds $ 17.60 Picture Perfect S 82.50 Positive Practice $ 55.00 Practical Golf Course Maintenance $ 115.50 Practical Greenkeeping $181.50 Proceedings - 2002, 18th Australian Turfgrass Conference $ 20.00 Rough Meditations (HB) $ 65.50 Salt-Affected Turfgrass Sites - Assessment & Management $ 152.90 Sands for Sports Turf Construction & Maintenance $ 55.00 Seashore Paspalum $ 148.50 Simplified Irrigation Design $ 99.00 Sports Fields $ 170.50 Sportsturf Protection Manual - The Complete

Guide to all Turf Protection Products $ 220.00 Sports Turf & Amenity Grasses $ 85.00 Sports Turf - Science, Construction & Maintenance $ 159.50 Spotting Soil Salting $ 27.50 Superintendents Handbook of Financial Management $ 88.00 The Care of the Golf Course $ 104.50 The Committed to Green Handbook for Golf Courses $ 33.00 The Golden Age of Golf Design $ 148.50 The Golf Course -Planning, Design, Construction and Maintenance $ 148 50 The Good Doctor Returns $ 49.50 The Life & Work of Dr. Alster Mackenzie $ 135.00 The Links $132.00 The Mathamatics of Turfgrass Management $ 88.00 The Sand Putting Green - Construction & Management (leaflet) $ 19.80 The Sand belt $ 125 .00 The Spirit of St. Andrews $ 71.50 The Turfgrass Disease Handbook $ 121.00 Tree Basics $ 16.50 Tree Maintenance - 7th Edition $ 115.50 Tree, Turf, Ornamental Pesticide Guide $ 66.00 Trees - Contributions to Modern Tree Physiology $ 275.00 Turf Irrigation Manual $ 137.50 Turf Management for Golf Courses $ 295.00 Turf Spraying - A Practical Guide $ 27.50 Turf Weeds and Their Control (HB) $ 185.90 Turfgrass - Agronomy Monograph 32 $ 132.00 Turfgrass - Science & Culture $ 176.00 Turfgrass Diseases & Associated Disorders $ 71.50 Turfgrass Irrigation Scheduling (leaflet) $ 8.00 Turfgrass Maintenance Reduction Handbook $ 132.00 Turfgrass Management $ 192.50 Turfgrass Patch Diseases $ 104.50 Turfgrass Renovation (leaflet) $ 5.00 Turfgrass Soil Fertility & Chemical Problems $ 222.00 Turfgrass Water Conservation $ 47.20 Wastewater Reuse for Golf Course Irrigation $ 198.00 Waterplants in Australia $ 49.50 Weeds an Illustrated Guide to Weeds of Australia $ 115.50

VIDEO Golf Course Maintenance for the Environment - A Strategic Approach $110.00

Please note: All prices include CST. Prices are subject to change without notice.

I 42 mm

A T M

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book v i e w

D.E A l d o u s & I .H Ch ivers , 2 0 0 2 - Sports Turf and Amenity Grasses: By Andrew Peart a manual for use and identification

This book comprises a descriptive key with vegetative illustrations for the identification of a wide range of grass genera and species. The advantage of this key is that it uses vegetative plant parts rather than the flower head or inflorescence which is often removed due to close mowing.

It also describes in detail, 10 major cool season turf grasses as well as 16 warm season ones. The description includes information regarding their botanical and common names, uses, positive and negative attributes, general comments and their identifying characteristics. As well as the description there is a large illustration of the grass as well as photographs.

A chart illustrates tolerances to many factors including temperature, drought, frost salinity, fertility and tolerance to close mowing. Recommended sowing or stolonising rates are also indicated.

Another list of 18 cool season and 13 warm season grasses are described that often occur but are not necessarily purposely sown

or sprigged. Their description involves the botanical and common name, a brief description, their adaption and use as well as their identifying traits.

The book is very thorough in its description of commonly found turf grasses and it is a valuable resource for turf species identification. However, while it makes general statements regarding tolerance to environmental factors, establishment and mowing it does not address the specific cultivar differences that can occur within a species.

This book will be most beneficial for people involved with large expanses of open space that wish to identify different grass species that may be present rather than managers of more intensely managed turf.

There is no doubt that this book is a valuable resource to the turf student wishing to gain a greater understanding about particular turf grass species, a

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A T M 43 I

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*new products

The last thing on your mind when you are on the golf course is having a cardiac arrest.

But if you do suddenly collapse, your chances of survival will dramatically increase if your course has its own portable defibrillator, a machine that gives an electric shock to re-start the heart. Golfing clients with heart problems especially will feel more at ease playing on your course if you have a defibrillator.

Trained staff, administer the life-saving device immediately while awaiting arrival of the ambulance. The average response time of an ambulance in Melbourne is 8 minutes, and in 90% of cases, 11 minutes, but it might take extra time to find which green you are on.

Former ambulance paramedic and university lecturer, Mr Peter Bailey, said that in Melbourne a person has about a 20% chance of surviving if they have a cardiac arrest but research shows if a defibrillator is used within 4 -6 minutes, that increases to over 70%.

With this in mind First Intervention have developed a package for golf clubs to purchase a defibrillator, training, assistance with policy

development and in the unfortunate event the defibrillator is used de-briefing for members involved in the cardiac arrest.

For further information please contact Peter Bailey from First Intervention on (03) 9249 9595 or visit their website at www.firstintervention.com A

Mentay, Australia's leading manufacturer of cricket pitch equipment is please to announce the long awaited release of their new cricket wicket roller, the Mentay HYDRA RIDE.

As with previous models the Mentay Hydra Ride cricket pitch roller is constructed using only quality materials and components, is 'built to last' and boasts the following;

• New Look • New Features • Fully hydraulic drive • New frame • Tare W e i g h t - 1 9 6 0 k g • Fully ballasted - 4460kg

For more information, contact Mentay on FREECALL: 1800 037 075 or view their full range of equipment on www.mentay.com.au A

BANNER MAX

Syngenta's commitment to developing revolutionary turf management products has been reinforced by its recent release of Banner AAAXX Turf Fungicide for the control of dollar spot in bent and Queensland blue couch and spring dead spot in couch.

Syngenta Professional Products will be making Banner AAAXX available to professional turf managers throughout Australia exclusively through leading turf industry distributor, Nuturf Pty Ltd.

Plant Protection Product Manager with Nuturf, James Royal, said the release of Banner MAXX would help further build on the strong reputation Syngenta established in Spring, 2002, when it released the now widely acclaimed Primo MAXX plant growth regulator.

Mr Royal said Banner MAXX offers significant benefits not previously available from other forms of propiconazole and that he expected it would become just as warmly welcomed by Australian turf managers as Primo MAXX.

Banner MAXX is a no odour, non-petroleum liquid fungicide designed and tested specifically for the turf market.

Banner AAAXX has 'microemulsion' concentrate formulation. This ultra small particle size not only helps provide excellent tank stability, tank mix flexibility, less nozzle and sprayer wear, but also helps operators achieve the levels of optimum coverage required for effective and reliable disease control," Mr Royal said.

For further information regarding Banner MAXX, contact your local Nuturf Territory Manager or phone 1800 631 008. A

144

X Banner MAXX Turf Fungicide

A New & Revolutionary Formulation for Systemic Disease Control

Banner MAXX joins the MAXX family. Developed for the turf market the MAXX formulation is ideal for the professional turf manager.

No Odour Excellent Tank Stability Mixing Flexibility Optimal Efficacy.

For further information please call Nuturf on 1800 631 008; fax 1800 809 456 or visit Nuturf Website at www.nuturf .com.au

^Registered trademark of a Syngenta (»roup Company

A T M

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1 new products

CONTROL

TRANSIST

VSTLB

VSTLG

STANDARD

A NEW TRANSITIONAL GRASS SOLUTION

The current turfseed for autumn overseeding couch sport fields is Turf Fine leaf Perennial Ryegrass. However, in many cases the Turf fine leaf Perennial Ryegrass may not transition out at the desired time for the Turf Curator or Superintendent creating competition problems for Couch or Kikuyu.

Valley Seeds have recognised this transitional problem with Turf Fine leaf Ryegrasses and using have a solution.

This solution was found by Valley Seeds using Turfgrass Technology to trial an exciting new development in Turf grass Breeding.

Transist a Transitional Ryegrass is the solution which is the first of its species for the Australian Turf Market.

Transist is a superior new hybrid ryegrass combining the high turf quality of Perennial Ryegrass with the rapid transition characteristics of an annual ryegrass.

The result is a revolutionary new performance standard for overseeding couch and kikuyu turf surfaces in Sydney.

For more information contact Valley Seeds on (03) 5797 6205

LLEY SEEDS

DIMENSION - Now for pre-emergent control of Poa

LSD s 7

« C S b l M E N S I O N

-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80

Ryegrass Couchgrass

Fig 1: Percent Couchgrass and Ryegrass/December

The use of Transist in providing a high quality surface throughout the winter months in couch or kikuyu dominant swards is a breakthrough for the industry. Because of its transitional characteristics Transist will mean a reduction in the use of chemicals required for transitioning. In fact the trial has shown that the amount of couch in the Transist was equivalent to the control plot - where there was no competition, A

Dimension Herbicide is now registered for pre-emergent control of Wintergrass (Poa annua) in turf.

Dimension is renowned amongst turf managers for providing reliable pre-emergent and early post-emergent control of Summer Grass, and pre-emergent control of Crowsfoot, Barnyard Grass and Chickweed. The most current label extension further increases the value of Dimension as a weed control tool for Australian turf managers.

Dimension Herbicide offers turf managers several key benefits. Most important is that it provides extremely reliable residual control of wintergrass. Dimension also: •can be utilised as a resistance management tool; •is not effected by enhanced biodégradation; and •is safe to use on a wide variety of turf species.

Dimension herbicide is sold in 10L containers and is distributed through Nuturf Pty Ltd and Globe Australia Pty Ltd. a

' TRANSIST " k The Transitional Ryegrass ^

The TRANSITIONAL Ryegrass designed for OVERSOWING high QUALITY winter sports surfaces

LLEY SEEDS

For further information contact your loca l seed reta i le r or Valley Seeds Tel: 03 5797 6203 Emai l : info@val leyseeds.com

A T M 47

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VGCSA

1 3 GCSAQ Once again dry weather is the story for most of Queensland with the great bulk of the state in drought. As I write this report there is some monsoon activity in the Gulf and some towns on the NT border have had 1200mm over night and are in full flood so perhaps there is some hope for rain in early 2003?

With the dry weather the bushfire danger has increased. We have not watered fairways for 3.5 months now and have had two occasions on the course where a carelessly discarded cigarette butt has actually set the rough alight with the thatch layer smouldering away like peat and spreading gradually toward the tree line. This pales into insignificance when compared with the tragic Canberra bush fires and those in the Victorian Alps, our sympathies go out to those affected by them.

The dry weather has seen reduced disease problems for us though the load of black beetle seems to be way through the roof? Our fourth fairway has been absolutely hammered by them! With no water for fairway watering there has been little or no regrowth.

Reports of the decision by some clubs in the ACT to change their ground operation to using a contractor who encourages clubs to sell off all their equipment makes you wonder whether those making these decisions have checked the references given. You have to wonder if all options were considered as there are a range of different contractors out in the market place all with different ideas on how to get the job done and what level of input is required. I would imagine club owners or members would want to know all options had been explored and considered before a decision was made and you would hope that was based on solid data rather than anecdotal evidence. It is a big step for a club to discard their dedicated and experienced staff who are motivated by a desire to produce the best golfing experience possible within the clubs budget and replace that ethic with one driven by a totally different philosophy.

Perhaps all Superintendents should consider becoming the contractor to their own course? Get some facts and figures in place and be able to offer options to your club should the need arise.

Hopefully there will be an opportunity for some full and frank discussion of these and other pressing matters in Adelaide; is it a sign of something when you are thinking about the conference this early? To those of you who haven't had a break yet over this trying summer I hope you get to have one before winter although that seems like a long way off. I know I need one.

Best Wishes

Jon Penberthy President, GCSAQ

k

NSWGCSA Despite the decent rainfall in some areas during December, the start of 2003 sees much of the state still crippled by this cruel drought. Many fires were extinguished by these rains but as I write this Mt Kosiosko is on fire!

Welcome to Steven Potts as our new CEO, on behalf of the Board and Membership of NSW, I wish him every success in his time at the AGCSA. I have so far only spoken to Steven on the phone and many members of NSW will get to meet him "in the flesh" at Manly Golf Club in March for our annual Rube Walkerden Championship day.

On the subject of education, long serving TAFE identity Paul Cashell announced his retirement after 29 years at Ryde School of Horticulture. Paul was once Superintendent at the Lane Cove Golf Club and spent most of his time at Ryde as head teacher of greenkeeping. Frank Dempsey is now in charge and we look forward to a fruitful relationship in the quest for better education of our students.

Congratulations to the CEO's, Boards, Owners and Superintendents of the 99.9% of golf clubs in this state who, through intelligent informed debate, rejected approaches by contracting companies in recent times. Unfortunately the Superintendents of the three courses which have gone into contract maintenance have lost their positions after years of dedicated service, we wish these men and their families well as they try and put their lives back together. What is the old saying? "If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is?"

Talking about bad decisions and poor judgement, what the "bloody hell" happened at the Australian Open? When the debacle unfolded I began to feel sorry for all the innocent people who would have been looking forward to being involved in the highlight of our golfing calendar; the apprentices, groundsman, Course Quality Officials, volunteers etc not part of the decision making process, but integral to the successful running of the most important four days of golf in Australia.

The damage done to the professional image of Golf Course Superintendents on that infamous day is immeasurable. It was a great kick in the guts for people like Doug Robinson, Peter Sawyer, John Spencer, Graham Grant, John Odell to name just a few; who, over many years have lifted the regard with which Superintendents are held in this country.

Will there be an apology forthcoming? Will we see a detailed account of the weeks heading up to that tragic Thursday, so young turf technicians can learn from the mistake?

I finish my report with this thought. " If you have a higher opinion of yourself than your ability should warrant; sooner or later you will be immolated by the ferocity of your own vanity".

Martyn Black President, NSWGCSA

As the year comes to a close the golf course industry has been dominated by the events that transpired at Victoria Golf Club for the Australian Open in November. For so many years major golfing events in Victoria have been applauded for their exceptional standards by the local and international golfing fraternity.

On this occasion we have witnessed a situation that has exposed Superintendents in Melbourne to comments that there is actually a competition to see who can have the fastest putting surfaces.

I hope, as many of my contemporaries do that we find out what really happened leading to the first day of the Open. Course Consultant John Sloane was unfortunately not allowed the right of reply due to a pre-determined agreement. This has so often been the case in the past with one exception being the Graham Grant vs Greg Norman a number of years ago.

Surely, in order to avoid a similar situation occurring another time it would be pertinent to know the true facts on what can only be termed as our darkest day in this industry.

On a brighter note, the last gathering for the VGCSA was held at LaTrobe Golf Club in December with host Superintendent Mick Hyatt presenting his course in immaculate condition. This meeting has historically been a twilight event with the onus on a light hearted end to the year. The golf event was followed by a brief meeting and a very bawdy performance by a local comedian. The feedback from the evening indicates that a good night was had by all.

With 2003 upon us the experts are saying that the signs are there for a return to regular autumn and winter weather patterns. I'm sure I'm not the only one hoping they are right.

The first VGCSA meeting for the year is to be held at the Dunes GC on the 25th of February. Many of us have paid a visit to this now famous course but the Dunes is always worth another look and if you haven't seen it, the day is a must.

On behalf of the VGCSA let me pass on to all, in a particularly tough season, much rain soon and a successful year.

Michael Picken President, VGCSA

A ~ TGCSA

Happy New Year to All! Summer is starting to bite hard into water supplies, which has been a common occurrence for the past few summers. Jason Britton has taken over as course superintendent at the New Norfolk Golf Club and all reports indicate he is doing a great job. Steve Lewis at the Royal Hobart Golf Club had a very close call with bush fires sweeping along side his boundary, pine trees exploding and the heat quite fierce. Fires crossed onto the course and Steve had to put the course sprinklers on as well as putting out spot fires.

146 A T M

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r This year is a critical year for the TG.C.S.A, our

goals are to increase numbers to the field days and attract more new members. If any one has suggestions on improving our field days please contact me.

Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank Phil Hill on behalf of the T.G.C.S.A. for all his contributions whilst being at the helm as president for a number of years and what a great job he has done. Thanks Phil!

Chris Hay President, TGCSA

SAGCSA A happy new year to all! Summer has certainly proven to be one of the traditional long hot summers which you seem to hear people say 'we don't have any more'.

Our annual Christmas picnic was held at Belair National Park on December 1st, fine weather greeted a large turn out on the day with cricket matches, treasure hunts and a number of foot races keeping the children and young at heart entertained. The highlight this year was the water balloon events, throwing a water balloon from partner to partner and seeing what the greatest distance between each partner before the balloon broke. This was quickly followed by seeing how wet we could make each other with a water balloon fight. It must be said that everyone enjoyed themselves on the day especially those with a hidden supply of water balloons (no names mentioned) DARYL SELLAR.

With a summer like this together with low winter rainfall in 2002, one topic seems to be on everyone's lips - WATER! both quality and quantity. Some Superintendents are watering greens, surrounds and tees. If it is not a limited supply of water, some supers in our neck of the woods are having to use water with high saline content. Just spare a thought for one of our Supers, Steve Walsh from South Lakes Golf Club. Steve is just about the last person to take water from the River Murray. Steve's irrigation water has a reading of 3500ppm! Certainly a challenge for any turf manager, and a tough time for all concerned.

Our upcoming meetings for the diary are: • Gawler Golf Club on Feb 4th. Host

Superintendent is Neville Owen. • Kooyonga Golf Club on Wednesday 26th Feb,

Course Superintendent • GlenelgGolf Club April 10th Host

Superintendent Daryl Sellar

Steven Newell has made himself available to members and their apprentices / trainees to take advantage of the opportunity to walk the course prior to the Jacob's Creek Open with Steven. This is an opportunity too good to miss for all Supers and their younger staff members. This will enable all to gain an understanding of

what goes on behind the scenes before such a tournament and can only be of benefit to all concerned. Thank you Steven.

We hope to see as many people come along to these meetings, to support ourselves, our sponsors and our industry.

Peter Harfield President, SAGCSA

GCSAWA The weather continues to be a problem for a few courses here in the west and also it seems for some of you other guys in other states, roll on winter!

The Super Series final event was held on Melbourne Cup day at the fabulous Joondalup Resort. Thanks to host Super, Rob Macdonald and his staff for their hard work in presenting the course in great condition. The series was won by Allan Devlin, Secret Harbour with an aggregate score of plus 5, Runner up was Alan Morley, 2IC at Secret Harbour... maybe those Secret Harbour guys should spend a bit more time working? The trade section was won by Steve Burke, Aquinas College with an aggregate score of plus 6, followed by Matthew Day from Wembley in second place. All who played enjoyed a sumptuous lunch while watching the great race, all in all a great day. Many thanks must go to CJD Equipment and John Deere for their continued support of this event.

Our Christmas party was held, as usual, at the Rosemount Bowl. With the best turnout ever for this annual bowling fest, the teams were drawn and competition was fierce. The final turned into a Nuturf shootout with Josh Walker and Bridget Black fighting it out with interstate imposter John Cooper and his partner Gerri New. Gerri was in startling form throughout the final and with John were this years champions. However, the visit from Santa was the real highlight and the look on all those little faces as he handed out the presents capped off a great night.

This years calendar kicks off in February with an education/golf day at Royal Perth sponsored by Best Simplot. At the time of writing I understand that the new CEO Mr Steve Potts and Phil George from ATM will be coming west for a visit and will be joining us for the event.

This will also be the week of the Johnnie Walker Classic, which will be held at Lake Karrinyup. I am sure Trevor Strachan and his guys will have Lake Karrinyup at its pristine best for this joint sanctioned event.

Allan Devlin President, GCSAWA

TGAA (Vic) An excellent evening was enjoyed by over 45 TGAA members and guests at Melbourne Zoo on Friday, 17 January, 2003. The perfect Melbourne weather was a wonderful compliment to the magnificent environs of Melbourne Zoo, where we enjoyed the hospitality of our sponsors of the evening, who were the turf construction and renovation company Sportsgrass Pty Ltd, and the major service and product supplier in T & I Pty Ltd.

In the prime location of Pavilion Number 5, where we were able to relax and enjoy the atmosphere, the night's entertainment being provided by the Wendy Stapleton Band, who amongst others, played a wide variety of tribute songs to the great English vocalist of the 60's, Dusty Springfield.

Zoo officials estimated that there were in excess of 7,(XX) people in attendance that evening. We at the TGAA were privileged not only with our Pavilion location, but were also treated to a guided tour and sneak preview of the soon to be opened Elephant enclosure by Mr Paul Grimes, who is head of the Horticultural Department of the Melbourne Zoo.

Paul was able to provide valuable insight into the vast planning and preparation that has been required prior to commencement of this incredible project, in the areas of construction of suitable indoor animal accommodation as required, the presentation of culturally suitable buildings and landscape, and in an area of great importance to the turf industry, the preparation and establishment of suitable sand profile turf areas in the open paddock areas of the Elephant enclosure. It was encouraging to see the leading principles of the turf industry being utilized in such a vastly different environment as this.

On behalf of the TGAA, I take this opportunity to thank the management and staff of the Melbourne Zoo for their assistance in making this night so memorable for us. In particular Ms. Abby Smith and Mr Paul Grimes for their wonderful contributions. Those of us who were there were able to enjoy a spectacular evening in wonderful surroundings.

I will also mention our sponsors for the evening, in particular T & I Pty Ltd, for their continued support of our industry body.

Please keep in mind our upcoming Occupational Health & Safety Day on April 1, 2003. (No Joke!) This is a very important day that we run as a no cost seminar to keep our members up to date on all things OH&S. We expect significant numbers at this day. Our seminar outline and invitation will be out to all members soon.

We trust that all of our members had a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas and New Year. Despite the pressure we are all under as a result of the extended hot, dry spell and we look forward to the opportunities and challenges that the coming year will present to us. Best Wishes,

Matt Scott, TGAA Activities

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TGAA (ACT & Surrounding Region) The beginning of the New Year in the A.C.T has been extremely difficult for many residents with savage bush fires encroaching on suburbia. Fueled by cyclonic winds, a fire storm ravaged homes along the western fringes of Canberra, leaving hundreds of families destitute. The Canberra Institute of Technology (Weston Campus) School of Horticulture had their grounds & gardens decimated by the fires. Luckily, the main building escaped with some minor external damage and will be ready for the intake of new turf apprentices and other students for semester 1 - 2003.

As an indirect result of the fires, Murrumbidgee Golf Club were unable to irrigate due to a power failure and residents of Belconnen Golf Club were evacuated with the imminent threat of an encroching fire front.

With the ACT & surrounding district already on strict water restriction, the fires have put increased pressure on turf managers in the area who have a high water output, to establish a water reduction plan in the event that further restriction will be enforced. Further restrictions are not a matter of if, but when.

Some dates for the diary: • Austep seed trial, Field day in Canberra - Late April to early May • Annual Mid-year Seminar - Wednesday 30th July.

Look in future publications for the latest up to date info on what's happening in the Canberra area

Till next time, agrostologists Justin A K Haslam (Committee, TGAA ACT & Surrounding Regions) A

r ADVERTISERS INDEX

Advertiser Page No Advertiser Page No

AGCSA 15, 28 Mentay 33

Agrichem OBC Nuturf 31

Antonio Carraro 27 Nutri-Grow 11

Aspac Golf & Turf 19, 37 Peter Williams GC Design 33

Bayer / Chipco 21, IBC Rainbird Golf 39

Barmac 41 Scotts Australia 30

Brown Brothers 35 Simplot Partners 2

Byron Bay Golf Club 14 Syngenta 6

Club Car 17 Textron Turfcare 7

Country Club 3 Turf Drain Australia 18

Densal 33 Turf & Irrigation 48

Creenmaw 38 Turf Link 9

Grove Constructions 16 Toro Australia IFC, 1,4,5

Hunter Golf 13 Twin View Turf 25

Heritage Seeds 29 Tycab 45

John Deere 22, 23 Valley Seeds 44

Lowlands Turf 8

v .

Your path to healthier turf.

Turf & Irrigation... Professionals in Service fr Advice

• Seed • Irrigation • Fertilisers • Chemicals For golf courses, bowling greens, race tracks and sports fields

Turf & Irrigation Professional Products

Tbl Rumps ana Irrigation in Northern Queensland

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CALL YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE ON Victoria New South Wales Queensland

Scott Kempster 0419 179 571 John Finlay 0419 179 564 Russell Cooke 0419 179 565 Adrian Black 0409 351 999 Clayton Williams 0419 179 572 Mark Adams 0419 179 558 Dean Kohlman 0419 179 563 Rod Holland 0419 179 561 Shane Yore 0438 271 022

South Australia Western Australia Rob Nash 0418 183 264 Tim Sinclair 0419 179 567

y i w Protection The complete guide to all Turf Protection Products.

MSDS Sheets on CD

Full colour Disease ID Chart and Spray Planner

Cross-referencing tables that allow you to search by active, pest or product name.

_ •

To order your copy phone AGCSA on:

(03) 9548 8600 148 A T M

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W h o gives you the green carpet

treatment?

MELISSA CAMERON <QLD) 0 4 2 7 802 844

WAYNE TILDEN (NSW) 0 4 1 9 4 1 3 432

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Chipco can cut any turfgrass task down to size. Find out just how much easier we can make your working life by contacting your local Chipco Regional Sales Manager for a sample of the green carpet treatment.

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* Ptylid B£S1031/0103/The Hopkins Part.

Bayer Environmental Science

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He makes sure his greens are never under par

Turf Professionals at golf courses and bowling clubs throughout Australia know that the real secret behind immaculate turf is Agrichem.

Only Agrichem's leading range of turf management products have the technical superiority and proven track record to provide turf professionals with tournament quality turf -

season after season.

Australian made and derived from the highest quality raw materials, the Agrichem turf range is the number one choice for

turf professionals who want to ensure that the only thing under par on their courses are the players.

Beware of inferior substitutes coming onto the market Insist on Agrichem - Australia's leading range of

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