Deck 9: Cultural Systems

Question 1

Design a cultural program for roadside turfs in Minneapolis, Lincoln, Tulsa, and Orlando.

Answer 1

Cultural designs refer to the combination of both primary and secondary cultural practices including pest management and propagation for the proper establishment of turfs. In other words, customizing turfs according to the requirement is called a cultural system. The turf refers to the layer of the ground that comprises of grass and plant roots.
The climate in Lincoln is highly variable comprising of seasons that are cold, hot and humid. The climate in Minneapolis is similar to that of the Lincoln that is humid continental climate. Tulsa comprises of temperate climate of the subtropical variety. Orlando comprises of the humid sub-tropical type of climate.
The plant species that are used for the roadside turf should be tolerant to traffic and mowing and their selection is based in the climatic conditions of the particular region in Minneapolis and Lincoln mostly buffalo grass and synthetic grasses are used. In Orlando, centipede-grass and Bahiagrass are used and in Tulsa, Bermudagrass can be best grown.

Question 2

What is meant by the cultural intensity spectrum in turfgrass management?

Answer 2

Cultural system is adopted to meet the needs of the turf grass. Several methods are put to make it work. Adjustments are made to manage the turf grass growth. Selecting the particular process and the intensities with which they must be employed depends on the use and quality of the turf grass.
Once cultural practices are done turf are used for mowing, irrigation, fertilization. The number and the intensity of the cultural operations is called mowing height. Whenever the cultural intensity increases the mowing height is reduced but the frequency is increased.
If the mowing height is lowered then fertilizers, cultivation, irrigation are included. Pest management is also done to prevent the damage. A turf grass will work and grow properly only when the soil is proper hence the soil should be checked properly and stabilized, the cultural operations intensity are low if the soil is checked carefully.
Mowing is done more often in lawns, roadside areas. Mowing should be regularly done as it refreshes the plant and avoids damage, periodic checking helps less damage to the turf. Turf is greatly used in sport areas.

Question 3

What are the growth factors of importance in turfgrass management?

Answer 3

Factors that help in the growth of the plant are called as the growth factors. For every plant, these growth factors are essential. The principle purpose of the turfgrass culture is to make sure that all the resources are sufficient for its growth. The factors include the basic resources such as food, water, light, minerals and nutrients, which can be supplied directly via fertilization and irrigation practices.
Moisture and nutrients are directly absorbed by the turf through the soil, which can be enhanced by the proper irrigation practices. One of the most important components is the oxygen, which is supplied to the plants by the soil through the roots. The oxygen supply of the plants can be increased by irrigation and proper cultivation practices.
Under certain circumstances, the water gets clogged, which blocks the entry of oxygen and other minerals so the blockage should be avoided by employing the best cultivation practices. The other important component that is essential for the management of the turf includes the light. It is provided by the sun.
Light intensity can never be stopped to the plants except when there is an obstacle, which does not allow the light to pass through the plant. The plants prepare their food by the process of photosynthesis and sunlight is very important for the photosynthesis to occur. The maintenance of the turf under low light conditions is greatly influenced by the various fertilization as well as mowing practices.

Question 4

Explain the limiting factor concept.

Question 5

Design cultural programs for greens in Chicago and Tampa.

Question 6

In what important ways do cultural programs for tees and fairways differ from those for greens?

Question 7

Design cultural programs for football fields in Detroit and Atlanta.

Question 8

Design cultural programs for lawns in Toronto, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Austin, Birmingham, and Miami.