Horticulture Research Station

The Effect of Solid vs. Hollow Tine Aeration Under Simulated Traffic

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Abstract

Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) is a widely used turfgrass in the cool season region. Along with an esthetically pleasing dark green color, it also has an extensive rhizome system that repairs any damage much faster than other cool season turfgrasses. Sod is a term to describe sections of turfgrass that has been cut below the surface to be transferred to a different site. In sports fields, teams cannot wait a full year to play on freshly seeded fields. Instead, the field can be grown off site and the player can continue to play on the old field. Once the new field is grown to maturity, the old field is stripped off and the new field can be transferred in. Once the sod is in place on the new field, it can be played on in approximately two-four weeks. This drastically reduces the downtime on that field. One limiting factor is the quality of sod. The sod tensile strength is what holds the sod together during transportation. If the sod has a low tensile strength, it can break apart and not lay well. This could reduce the smoothness and playability of the new field. Fertility, Plant growth regulators, and pre-emergence herbicides are factors in the growth of turfgrass for the use as sod. This study aims to determine the effects of fertility, plant growth regulators and pre-emergence herbicide on KBG sod tensile strength.

How to Cite:

Thoms, A., Messer, Z. & Law, Q., (2026) “The Effect of Solid vs. Hollow Tine Aeration Under Simulated Traffic”, Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms Progress Reports 2025(1), 25-26.