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Sports Fields
 The common problem with turf is that it is exposed to the elements of weathering and compaction created by people and machines. The severity of a particular
problem will vary according to the regional weather patterns, and the agronomic and related management practices on a particular turf area. In most cases it is
not practical to keep the players or equipment off turf areas when weather is undesirable and soil conditions are conducive to compaction.
We know that compaction is the most
important factor that limits healthy turf
because of its effect on root growth, pore
space, water movement and the water
holding capacity of soil. The soil is no
longer what nature originally gave us.
Regardless of where you are, there are certain
factors that are necessary to your business
of turf management.
Everyone agrees that you must have a fertile
soil on which to grow turf grass. But
there are three other factors that must be
present before turf can grow on that fertile
soil. We know that 95% of what affects the
growth of a plant is light, water, and air.
Only 5% is fertilizers. So... the effectiveness
of the fertilizers used (which is the
largest out of pocket expense) is controlled
by the 95%. By alleviating the compaction
and allowing greater water infiltration, we
automatically increase the amount of air
brought into the root zone. Water movement
is the primary vehicle used to pull
oxygen into the root zone.
Q. What advantages does the AerWay
have over conventional core aeration?
Ans. There are a number of advantages
that the AerWay machine offers.
- The engineering and design of the
AerWay tine creates a shattering or fracturing
effect that relieves compaction
between the holes without glazing the side
walls. This enhances water and air movement
Conventional core aerification methods
have a built-in glazing effect that
restricts lateral water and air movement.
- The AerWay creates more pore space
and leaves a larger cavity
under the surface for root development.
Research data shows the AerWay to
improve deep root development 120%
over a control plot. The solid coring aerator
reduced deep rooting by 15%. The
AerWay did this without increasing water
losses from evaporation.
- We can relieve compaction in the top
6” of soil - allowing increased light, water
and air movement without creating a big
mess on the surface
- The initial investment for an AerWay is
about half the cost of conventional coring
type equipment. The cost of maintenance
per acre is also about 46% less
than coring type equipment.
Q. How does the AerWay control
moisture loss?
Ans. Because the shattering action
allows the slit to fill back with loose soil
and the first mowing closes the top of
the soil to control moisture loss.
Q. How does this improve water
and air movement?
Ans. By relieving compaction and
loosening the top 6” of soil, we create
more pore spaces and increase the water
holding capacity of the soil. The primary
function of the downward movement of
water in a soil profile is to draw in the oxygen
and air. With core aerifying, where
you have two open holes and the atmospheric
pressure is the same in both holes,
you cannot get air to move in the soil
between the two holes?
Q. How does the light, air and water
movement affect the “Anaerobic”
black layer?
Ans. The black layer cannot exist in the
presence of air. So, by relieving compaction,
we improve the percolation of
water through the top 6” to 8”. With the
downward movement of the water, we
hydraulically draw oxygen and air in
through the soil which creates an aerobic
environment that is not conducive to black
layer formation.
Q. Does the AerWay help eliminate thatch?
Ans. Yes. The AerWay method of cultivation
improves the light, water and air balance
making it more desirable to make
liming and fertilizer corrections more efficient.
This allows for a higher level of
activity of the soils microorganisms that
control thatch build up, (such as earth
worms, desirable soil bacteria).
Q. Can I use the AerWay as a tool
to overseed?
Ans. The AerWay is a valuable tool
for improving and overseeding undesirable
stands of turf grass. It can be used to revitalize
established turf or adjusted to prepare
a seed bed in a bare area where turf
was non existent.
Q. How does the use of the AerWay
affect chemical use?
Ans. - By using the AerWay, you’ll be
speeding up the breakdown of toxic levels
of chemicals used in the past.
- By shattering and fracturing the soil
surface prior to chemical use, you’ll
enhance the effectiveness of the chemicals,
thereby reducing application rates.
- Plants that are under stress are the most
susceptible to disease and insect damage.
By creating a better soil environment with
the AerWay and producing a healthier
plant, we’ve found we’re able to substantially
reduce chemical use.
- The AerWay creates a porous soil surface
that will accept chemicals more rapidly
and enhances the ability of the operator
to comply with D.E.R. regulations concerning
harmful run off.
>Q. When do I use the AerWay?
Ans. The most effective time to use
the AerWay is just after the spring rains
and when early traffic has created compaction.
This prepares the soil surface for
efficient use of rainfall and irrigation water
during up coming heat stress periods.
Another good time to use the AerWay is
monthly on heavily traffic areas. Then use
the AerWay in the Fall to aerate for compaction
and/or overseeding.
Q. What can I expect to see the
first year?
Ans. - Elimination of local dry spots in
irrigated areas.
- Reduced damaging effects
of dryness and wear in traffic areas.
- Reduced run off on steep slopes that
can create wet areas at the bottom of the
slope.
- Reduction in water use
- Quicker response and greater efficiency
of applied fertilizer
and lime.
- You’ll be able to perform the
cultivating practices of loosening up the
soil without interfering with play.
Q. What are the main advantages of
using the AerWay on sports turf?
Ans. The most important thing is that by
reducing the compaction you reduce the
leg and knee injuries of the players. This
is a factor that all sports field managers
are taking a hard look at. The nice thing
about the AerWay is that you can use the
AerWay all season long and still have a
playable surface.
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Tuesday September 07, 2010
 Watch Sports Turf Video
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