To achieve the best Green Irrigation Management the superintendent must control many factors that depend on the weather, traffic of players or cultural practices. Moreover, the superintendent must optimize the irrigation system and control the correct soil moisture to achieve the best playability and plant health. It is crucial to count with broad experience, deep agronomic knowledge and to understand that each green might require specific management with individual monitoring and supervision.
General aspects to take in consideration to achieve the best green irrigation management:
| 1. Design & Green Specifications | Sand selection and composition (air & water filled porosity) |
| Infiltration rate & field capacity | |
| Turf selection (specie & variety) | |
| Quantity (%) of organic matter and soil amendments. | |
| Slopes of the surfaces (run off) | |
| Shades & Sun exposition | |
| 2. Irrigation Design & Management | Pressure, type of sprinkler & uniformity of irrigation system |
| Design & location of sprinklers onsite (distances, uniformities) | |
| Optimization of the Irrigation software (timing, frequency, etc) | |
| Avoid frequent irrigation and schedule depth irrigation
Use of meteorological station |
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| Devices to control humidity (Pogo & TDR & permanent sensor) | |
| Daily supervision & monitoring on site of irrigation system | |
| Hand watering & syringing | |
| 3. Agronomic Program | Control of thatch & cultural practices |
| Control of compaction & soil structure (bulk density)
Control the oxygen & water available for the plant in the profile |
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| Control de hydrophobicity with wetting agent | |
| Improve the root development (Depth irrigation & less frequency) | |
| Height & frequency of cut | |
| Use of growth regulator | |
| Supervision of the water quality (Salinity & pH) | |
| Optimization of fertilization program (Granular & Foliar) | |
| Traffic of players | |
| 4. Weather & local aspects | Evapotranspiration |
| Temperatures & humidity | |
| Number on hour of light | |
| Predominant wind in local areas |
In conclusion, globally understanding of all aspects allows archiving the highest quality standards on greens during all the year and also gives the possibility to save water and electricity. TAS works through all considerations and details to tailor the best adapted solution to a specific site.
By: Carlos Arroyal