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Bentgrass Root Loss in Summerby Harrell's

Blog, Golf July 22, 2010 9:23 am

by Fred Yelverton
Professor of Crop Science and Extension Specialist, NC State University

Many golf course superintendents are concerned about root loss due to the extreme heat this summer. The chart below is a 12 month rooting pattern developed at the Sandhills Research Station in 2000 and 2001. Note that, averaged over 2 years, bentgrass lost 76% of root biomass from the end of May to September 1. The heat this year, coupled with stress from Pythium Root Rot, has likely exacerbated this decline in bentgrass root biomass.