Black layer on putting greens Cancel The title field is required!

1. Joseph Perry

   

   0 posts
   
   11/28/2011 4:11 PM

   Hey everybody looking for some help! I have been struggling with black layer on my poa bent greens here on the Mid Atlantic coast (Maryland) all fall and am looking for some help. I know I have all the contributing factors, thick layer of organic buildup on straight sand greens, poor drainage a result of poor greens construction, excessive continuous moisture from heavy fall rains, too busy to aerate four times a year etc. Other than remedying those factors does anyone know of any products that might flush sulfur and or work directly on the black layer. I welcome all ideas.
   
   Thanks, Joe

   
   
   
   
2. Jeffrey Gyselman

   

   2 posts
   
   11/28/2011 5:11 PM

   Check with your Floratine Rep. They have a few products that I think will help.
   
   Jeff

   
   
   
   
3. Scott Hiles

   

   0 posts
   
   11/29/2011 12:11 AM

   Aerate, aerate, and aerate again. Deep tine if possible and try to incorporate as much medium sand as you can.
   I would also look at past fertility programs and get rid of all sulphur based products for the time being. Another thing I would do is get on a foliar program quick as I could because the root system is probably retarded in its ability to grow and develop. Depending on the depth of the black layer you may have to be creative with your irrigation as well.

   
   
   
   
4. Jason Cook

   

   0 posts
   
   11/29/2011 12:11 AM

   Joe,
   
   Venting will aid you in the short term. As mentioned aerify judiciously to promote gaseous exchange and provide oxygen into your anaerobic medium. 1/4" (5/16") solid tining will limit your surface disruption and allow you to vent frequently to alleviate the symptoms. Depending on depth and availability, a deep tine is the most effective, but a conventional aerifer will work well. Diligently manage irrigation and if possible begin implementing topdressing.
   
   In the long term, identify ways to amend/repair surface drainage and internal drainage. If the areas impacted are in the lows, look to install smiley drains to remove the captured water.
   
   As mentioned, review fertility program, but in terms of N volume not necessarily product. Do not be too concerned with altering the fertility in association with sulfates, just Sulfur. Attached is an article for your records.
   
   Jason

   
   
   
   
5. Larry Allan

   

   0 posts
   
   11/29/2011 7:11 AM

   Thanks for that article Jason. I've been trying to find it for years without success

   
   
   
   
6. Larned Fred

   
   11/29/2011 7:11 AM

   gyselman said: Check with your Floratine Rep. They have a few products that I think will help.
   
   Jeff

   
   
   I agree on the Floratine products. Back when I was an asst my superintendent used Pervade and Oxyflor and you could actually see the black layer pushing down through the profile that along with 3 aerifications a year did wonders. I'm not trying to sell Floratine but the product is good

   
   
   
   
7. Cecala Randal

   
   11/29/2011 1:11 PM

   Black layer quite simply is caused by water-logging. All of Dr Vargas' experiments include prolonged water logging. Our jobs as turfgrass managers is to see that the turf is not water logged. Dr Vargas has written an updated black layer article within last couple of years, a bit revised since our last encounter discussing this subject.
   
   The redox sequence in the soil is straight forward, Ca and Mg are no longer available when bacteria begin to reduce SO4. The Ca ++ and Mg++ are history. Do we want to maintain grass when the two largest cations supplies are cut off? So why worry about bacteria reducing sulfur because we do not want to go there.
   
   Chinese proverb : "You can live two months without food and two weeks without water, but you can live only a few minutes without air." Master Hung Yi-hsiang
   
   Look into soil thermodynamics and redox sequences, pe factors in the soil. It is the p of e meaning energy. The golf industry needs a breath a fresh air for scientific guidance.
   
   I have provided biological and management solutions for black layer for almost 20 years when Clinton Hodges was the "black knight" for anaerobic conditions.
   
   Saludos Michael Rogers Down to EARTH Water Management michaelrogers53@msn.com