鋪砂與打洞

Topdressing & Aerification

JAMES SUA, CGCS,CCPC,CTP, CGIA

鋪砂與打洞 Topdressing & Aerification

INTRODUCTION 前言

The previous chapters covered most of the essential aspects of basic turfgrass management. However, occasionally you will encounter unusual situations that do not easily fit into one of the typical subject areas of turfgrass management. This chapter will discuss several of these common but very important problems in a question-and-answer format.

前面的幾章已經談到了基本草皮管理最主要的一些重點。但是偶爾也會遇到與平常不一樣的特殊狀況。本章以問答的方式來探討的就是這些看似平常卻非常重要的議題。

 

What causes thatch and how can it best be controlled?

枯草層(草盤層)的形成原因以及如何控制枯草層(草盤層) ?

Thatch is a partially decomposed organic layer that develops above the soil surface (Figure 1). It consists of living and dead stems, roots, crowns, and sheaths. These tissues are very resistant to decomposition. The leaf blades of the turfgrass plant do not significantly contribute to thatch build-up, since they readily decompose. Therefore, as long as the 1/3 rule for mowing frequency is followed, it is not necessary to collect clippings. In fact, as discussed, clippings left on the turf will return significant amounts of nutrients to the soil.

枯草層(草盤層)是位於土壤的上層由有機物的分解而形成的(圖1)。這裡包含了死亡的莖根，草皮的冠部，和葉鞘。這些組織都不易腐爛。而草皮的葉片因為較容易腐爛，所以不是造成枯草層(草盤層)的主要原因。因此，只要照著三分之一的法則來割草，就不需收集割完的碎草。事實上，就像先前所討論過的，草皮上所遺留下來割草後的碎片反而能提供土壤大量的養份。

Thatch is caused by:枯草層(草盤層)形成的原因 :

Ø  Frequent, shallow watering

Ø  Excessive nitrogen fertilization

Ø  Infrequent, high mowing

Ø  Clay, sand, and compacted soils

Ø  Thatch –producing grasses

Ø  Excessive pesticide use

Ø  Poor soil aeration

 

Ø   密集較潛的灌溉

Ø   過量的氮肥

Ø   不規則的，且割草長度較高的割草

Ø   黏土，砂土和緊實的土壤

Ø   枯草層(草盤層)所出的草

Ø   使用過多的殺蟲劑

Ø   土壤通氣不良

 

Thatch prevention預防枯草層(草盤層)

Ø  Water deeply and infrequently

Ø  Use a slow release nitrogen fertilizer

Ø  Mow on a regular basis

Ø  Aerate clay and compacted soils

Ø  Plant low thatch-producing grass varieties

 

Ø   不定時的深層澆灌

Ø   使用緩慢釋放的氮肥

Ø   定期的割草

Ø   將黏土和緊實的土壤通氣

Ø   採用較不易產生枯草層(草盤層)的草種

 

 

 

Thatch枯草層(草盤層)

Soil 土壤

 

 

 (note the larger number of roots in the thatch)

 (請注意在枯草層(草盤層)有許多的根)

A thatch layer thicker than 0.5 inch may cause a decline in turfgrass quality. It can encourage increased disease and insect problems; reduced heat, and drought hardiness; shallow rooting; and restricted movement of fertilizers and insecticides into the soil. On the other hand, a thatch layer less than 0.5 inch thick will improve the wear tolerance of the turf and provide some insulating protection against high and low temperatures.

Thatch accumulates simply because the rate of tissue growth exceeds the rate of tissue decomposition. Any factor that stimulates rapid tissue production or impedes tissue decomposition favours thatch accumulation. For example, excessively high nitrogen fertilization, the use of vigorously growing species and cultivars, and high heights of cut will all encourage thatch development. The use of certain pesticides also increases thatch by destroying soil organisms such as earthworms that speed the process of decomposition. Thatch is primarily a problem associated with creeping/spreading turfgrasses rather than bung-type turfs.

Thatch should be controlled when it reaches a thickness of 0.5 inch or more. This can be determined accurately only by examining a vertical cross-section of the soil and turf. Simply walking over the turf and trying to “feel” the thatchiness is not a good idea. Various cultural practices (mowing height and/or irrigation) or the species itself may result in the turf feeling spongy, which can be mistaken for a build-up of thatch. A soil probe, spade, shovel, or pocketknife can be used to remove the vertical sample for inspection. Since thatch thickness can vary throughout a turfgrass site, it is important to take several samples from the turf area.

If thatch thickness is 0.5 inch or more, consider some method of removal or control. Only a few methods of thatch control are available. One popular method is mechanical removal with a dethatching machine. A dethatcher is a specialized machine with wires or blades that operate vertically to the soil surface (Figure 2). The vertical action pulls the thatch up from the soil surface to the surface of the turf, where it can be removed. The wire tines or blades are set to reach a depth just slightly below the soil surface. It is sometimes necessary to go over the turf area in two directions to achieve thorough and uniform thatch removal.

枯草層(草盤層)的厚度若超過0.5英吋時就會影響的草皮的品質。枯草層(草盤層)會造成病蟲害的增加，降低熱度與乾旱的影響，產生較淺的根部系統，並限制肥料及殺蟲劑滲透到土壤裡。但是若枯草層(草盤層)的厚度小於0,5英吋時，會提高草皮的耐磨損力，可防止高溫與低溫所造成的土壤傷害。

枯草層(草盤層)的堆積主要是因為組織生長的速度快於組織分解的速度。任何促進組織快速生長或是妨礙組織分解的因素都會造成枯草層(草盤層)的形成。例如過量的氮肥，採用生長快速的草種及培養方法，割草高度較高等都會促進枯草層(草盤層)的形成。使用某些殺蟲劑也會造成枯草層(草盤層)的形成，因為破壞了土壤中的生物例如蚯蚓等可加速分解植物。 枯草層(草盤層)主要的問題是會造成草皮匍匐/蔓延而不挺拔的現象。

如果枯草層(草盤層)的厚度超0.5英吋時就一定要處理，檢驗枯草層(草盤層)的厚度只有透過土壤和草皮區的縱切面來正確的觀察。單單的站在草皮上試圖靠”感覺”來判斷枯草層(草盤層)並不是一個好的方法。不同的培養方法(割草的高度/或灌溉的方式)甚至於草皮的品種都會使草皮感覺像是海綿一樣柔軟而誤以為是累積了枯草層(草盤層)。可以使用土壤探針，鏟子和圓鍬或是小刀挖出垂直的樣本來檢驗。因為枯草層(草盤層)的累積在草皮區內會有很大的差異，所以在同一草皮區內取樣時一定要採取多重的樣本。

當枯草層(草盤層)的厚度超過0.5英吋時，就要採取移除或控制的措施。目前可行的枯草層(草盤層)控制方法不多。最常用的方法是以除枯草層(草盤層)的機器來處理。除枯草層(草盤層)機屬於專業的機具，以金屬絲或刀片垂直作用於土壤表面(圖2)，以垂直的方向將枯草層(草盤層)由土壤內挖起到草皮上方。金屬線的尖端或刀片可深入表土的下方。有時候在草皮上也需要從兩個不同的方向來達到均勻的移除枯草層(草盤層)。

Figure圖2 : Views of a De-thatcher除枯草層(草盤層)機

The mechanical removal of thatch is a harsh practice that can cause stress to the turfgrass plant. It is recommended that there be at least 30 days of favourable growth conditions following the dethatching operation. Mechanical dethatching thins the turf and may allow weeds to encroach on the area. Also, the turfgrass area should not be dethatched after preemergence herbicides have been applied, since the chemical barrier will be destroyed.

Another method of thatch control is the use of a core aerifier or cultivation machine. Many people use the term aerification when referring to core cultivation. Coring is a process in which hollow or solid tines or spoons are used to make a vertical hole through the turf into the underlying soil. In the case of hollow tines or spoons, a turf/soil core is removed and is dropped onto the surface of the turf (Figure 3). The cores may then either be broken up and worked back into the turf by dragging steel mat or screen or brush over the area or picked up and removed. Greatest thatch reduction occurs when the cores are worked back into the thatch layer. Coring can be done whenever the growing conditions for the turf are good. Core cultivation is a slower method of thatch control, unlike a mechanical dethatcher, coring does not appear to significantly disrupt the preemergence chemical barrier.

機械式的移除法比較激烈，所以會造成草皮的壓力。所以使用後最好能讓草皮至少有30天良好的生長環境來修護草皮。機械式的除枯草層(草盤層)會使草皮變薄，也可能使雜草趁機侵犯進入草皮區。在幼苗出土前施用除草劑之後不可進行枯草層(草盤層)的移除，因為會破壞到其化學屏障。

另一個控制枯草層(草盤層)的方法是使用打洞通氣法或是培養機。許多人提到打洞通氣這四個字時指的是打洞作業。打洞作業就是以實心或空心的尖叉或是泥鏟挖出一個垂直的洞，直接穿過草皮深入土壤裡。當使用空心的尖叉或是泥鏟打洞時，會移出一塊草皮/泥土並堆於草皮上(圖3)。打洞後挖出的土塊可用拖式鋼毯或鐵網或用刷子將其敲碎再鋪於草皮上或是直接移走。若是將其回填到枯草層(草盤層)可大幅的降低枯草層(草盤層)的現象。打洞作業需在草皮有良好的生長環境的前提下進行。打洞培養也是一種緩慢降低枯草層(草盤層)的一種方法，並且對於幼苗出土前施用除草劑時也不像除枯草層(草盤層)機那般破壞到其化學屏障。

Figure圖3 : Core cultivator. Top view of core cultivator coring pattern打洞培養機。從上方俯視打洞後的格式

Aerating Guidelines打洞通氣的原則

Aerator holes should be 3 inches deep, 3 inches or less apart, and about three quarters of an inch in diameter. Several passes will be needed for correct spacing. This should be done twice a year on a continual basis. The benefits of aerating are soon lost if the practice is discontinued.

Turfgrass must have a constant supply of fresh air moving to the surface of every living, growing root to replace carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide builds up continuously and needs to be released from the soil. Air exchange, or aeration, takes place in spaces between the solid particles of soil.

Aeration can be natural occurrence between the soil and its surroundings. Temperature differences between the soil and the atmosphere may result in air movement. Water activity into and out of the soil will affect the proportion do not produce a sufficient amount of aeration for a turf area to stay healthy, lush and green, additional mechanical aerating must take place.

Aerating should be as much as a part of turf area care programme as mowing, watering and fertilizing.

Compaction, excess thatch, and clay soils cause weak-rooted turfs. At these stages, it is necessary to aerate mechanically. Replanting the turf may be another answer to severe compaction problems, but the soil will have to be modified first to exact a long-term solution.

通氣孔需深入土壤3英吋深，彼此間隔小於3英吋，直徑約四分之三英吋。需要重覆操作數次才能作出正確的區隔。這個工作必須持之以恆的每年作兩次。若是中斷之後則所有通氣的益處亦將很快的終止。

草皮的根部生長需要有充足的空氣流通才能進行二氧化碳的氣體交換。二氧化碳會一直累積所以需要從土壤中釋出。空氣交換或是通氣是在固體的土壤粒子間進行。

土壤與其周圍也會有自然的通氣現象。由於土壤與其周遭氣候的溫差也會造成空氣的流動。水份的流入與流出土壤也會影響到通氣量的減少。若要草皮長得健康蒼翠，一定要採取人工機械式的通氣。

通氣就像是割草，澆水與施肥一樣，都是草皮保養不可或缺的重點。

緊實的土壤，過多的枯草層(草盤層)，和黏土都會使草皮的根部無法有效深入。在這樣的情況下，一定要使用機械式的通氣設備。 重新種植草皮也有可能是解決嚴重的土壤緊實現象的方法之一，但是一定要先改善土質才能維持長期的草皮生長。

適當的通氣孔口徑及間距

Compaction土壤緊實

Compaction is the pressing together of soil particles, which squeezes air out of the soil. Most compaction occurs in the upper two inches of soil. The biggest cause of compacted soil is activity on soggy turf. Other causes include watering turf areas and/or excessive tilling when preparing a seedbed. Construction and grading equipment used to build homes also has adverse effects.

土壤緊實指的是土壤粒子經壓縮在一起而使空氣擠出土壤的現象。大部份的土壤緊實都發生在土壤表土2英吋的範圍。造成土壤緊實最大的因素是在潮濕的草皮上活動所引起的。其他的原因包括澆灌草皮和/或在準備苗圃時過渡的耕耘。建築工具和分隔設備也會造成不良的緊實現象。

Causes of Compaction造成緊實的原因
Children playing兒童在草皮上玩耍	Upper 1 inch of soil土壤上層1英吋
Dogs狗	Upper 1 inch of soil土壤上層1英吋
Sports Activities (Volleyball) 體育活動(排球)	Upper 2 inches of soil土壤上層2英吋
Parking Cars on turf area 車輛停在草皮上	Upper 3 inches of soil土壤上層3英吋
Heavy construction Equipment 重型建築機具	Upper 6 inches of soil土壤上層6英吋

 

 

As soil is compacted, the soil’s aeration process becomes ineffective. Air spaces are squeezed out and filled with water. At this point, the soil is waterlogged and unable to drain. Waterlogged soil promotes shallow root growth.

Compacted soil results in turf with low energy, poor growth, and thin yellow-green characteristics. It will not hold up well to traffic or weather stress. Playing on it would tear the turf more quickly than under normal conditions. Heat stress also causes the turf to wilt sooner. Under any of these conditions, recovery takes longer than it would for a healthy turf.

當土壤緊實時，土壤中的通氣會不良。空氣的間隙被擠出而被水份填滿。此時土壤被水浸滿而無法有效的排水。被水浸滿的土壤會產生較淺的根部系統。

緊實的土壤會使草皮的能量變低，生長欠佳，並且會產生薄且黃綠的特性。同時在天候所造成的壓力及踐踏之後的草皮復原也不佳。在其上活動會使草皮比平常更容易撕裂。熱氣也會使草皮更快枯萎。在這些情況下，草皮的復原要比健康的草皮所需的時間更長。

Soil Types土壤類型

The type of soil is another reason to aerate the turf area. Clay contributes to compacted soil. It has a fine texture with a sticky plate-like structure, and is most likely to become compacted. Clay soil needs to be improved before planting a turf area. To do this, add organic matter such as peat moss or compost to the soil.

There are two ways that one can find out the kind of soil on their turf areas. By having a soil test done by performing a squeeze test. Take a ball of moist soil and squeeze it in your hand. If the ball holds together, it’s clay. If it breaks apart easily then it’s loam. Sand falls apart most easily. This test works well for any flowerbed, garden, or turf soil.

土壤類型的不同也是需要給草平通氣的另一個原因。黏土是造成緊實土壤的主因，它的顆粒較細且有較黏的板狀結構，所以最有可能變成緊實土。黏質土壤需要在種植草皮前先作改良處理。添加泥炭苔或混合堆肥等有機物可改善土質。

有兩種方法可鑑別草皮區土壤的類型。一個是擠壓試驗。用手抓一把潮濕的土壤用力壓擠成一球，如果球體是一體成型，這就是黏土，如果球體會分散，這就是壤土，而砂土最容易散開。這種方法適用於任何的花圃，花園或草皮土壤。

Benefits of Aeration打洞通氣的優點

Aeration loosens compacted soil and breaks up thatch. It allows water and other nutrients to seep into the soil, encouraging new root growth and establishing a stronger , deeper root base for a lusher, healthier turf. Another benefit of aeration is the reduction of water runoff and puddling.

By removing cores of soil, aeration provides space for roots and soil to expand. Reducing further compactions.

Aeration is also a method of thatch control, because microorganisms brought to the surface of the turf help break down thatch. All of these factors help the turf establish a deeper root base, making the turf more heat- and drought-stress tolerant.

打洞通氣可降低土壤的緊實度，加速枯草層(草盤層)的分解。同時也可以增強土壤的吸水與吸收肥料能力，促進根部的發育且提高草根的強度與深度，使其成長為翠綠健康的草皮草。通氣另外一個好處是可以降低水份的流失與凝結。

在土壤上打洞並將土塊移除後，通氣的效果提供了根部及土壤發展的空間，也減少了進一步緊實的現象發生。

打洞通氣也是控制枯草層(草盤層)的方法之一，因為被帶到草皮表面的微生物可促進枯草層(草盤層)的分解。這些因素都可幫助草皮建立更深的根部基礎，並且更能夠耐熱和耐乾旱。

 

氧氣(O2)與二氧化碳(CO2) 在土壤中交換          通氣機

When to Core Aerate何時進行打洞工作

Core aeration can be done anytime the grass is actively growing. It is best to aerate once or twice a year on a continual basis.

It is important to allow at least 4 weeks of good growing weather. This will give plants a chance to fill open holes.

打洞工作可以在草皮正常發育的任何時間進行。最好是持之以恆的每年作一兩次的打洞工作。

在良好的環境下，最好是有四周以上的好天氣讓草皮生長。也可給植物一個回填開放式洞口的機會。

草皮表面進行打洞後所留下來的土塊

 

Spiking打釘洞

Spiking is the easiest and least expensive aeration method and is done by using a solid tine or a metal spike and putting an angular hole in the ground. Using this method, the turf heals quicker than with core aeration because no soil is being removed. Spiking can be done anytime of the year. But the effects of the solid tine method are short term. Another problem is that the soil is pushed to the sides of the hole compacting the area again.

打釘洞是最簡單且最經濟的打洞通氣方法，只需要一個實心的尖叉或金屬的大釘在地上鑽一個有角的洞。草皮在打釘洞後復原的速度會比打洞作業的方式還要快，因為打釘洞的過程沒有移除任何的土壤。一年四季都可進行打釘洞。但是以實心尖叉打釘洞的效果只能是短暫的。另外還有一個問題是打釘洞時土壤會被擠壓向洞口的四周，再度的造成周邊的緊實效應。

Vertical Mowing垂直割草

Vertical mowing or power raking is less effective in alleviating compaction but is an excellent means of reducing thatch, particularly for warm-season grasses. The process is less destructive than core aerate and is an excellent option if compaction is minimal

垂直割草或是機械式的耙土機對於減緩緊實現象的效果並不是最好，但是對於降低枯草層(草盤層)的效果非常有效，特別是針對生長在溫暖季節的草皮。垂直割草對草皮的傷害程度比打洞作業還要低，如果緊實的現象不是很嚴重時，這個方法會是一個很好的選擇。

Earthworms蚯蚓

Earthworms are helpful to turf areas, because they are natural aerators and thatch controllers. The tunnels they create help loosen the soil. By digesting organic matter, earthworms keep thatch production in check.

蚯蚓對草皮有益因為這是天然的通氣法，且可減少枯草層(草盤層)。蚯蚓鑽的洞也可鬆弛土壤。蚯蚓會消化掉有機物，所以也會控制枯草層(草盤層)的現象。

Coring is often followed by a topdressing procedure. Topdressing is the broadcast application of soil or other materials to the surface of the turfgrass area (Figure 4). Topdressing is often used to smooth the surface of a turfgrass area or to control thatch. The spreading of soil or other types of root zone materials over and into the thatch layer makes the thatch environment more conducive to microorganism activity, which is necessary for thatch decomposition. Topdressing is a slow but very effective means of controlling thatch. Topdressing material is typically applied in very thin layers to the turf; in most cases, only a couple millimetres are applied at one time. When done lightly, the topdressing procedure can be repeated several times each year. On occasion, it may be necessary to topdress more heavily. Depending on the situation (type of turfgrass species, cutting height, time of year), as much as 0.375 inches may be applied. The topdressing material should be worked down into the turf by pulling a steel drag mat or brush over the area. On smaller areas, the topdressing material can also be smoothed and worked into the turf by brushing with a push broom.

通常在作完打洞作業後，就會進行鋪砂。也就是將土壤或其它物質鋪撒於草皮的表面(圖4)。鋪砂通常是用來使草皮表面更平順或用來控制枯草層(草盤層)。將土壤或其他形式的根部物質撒在枯草層(草盤層)的上面或裡面可增加枯草層(草盤層)中微生物的活性，使枯草層(草盤層)分解的速度更快。鋪砂的成效比較慢，但是這是很有效的控制枯草層(草盤層)的方法。鋪砂時通常是在草皮上撒上薄薄的一層，大部份每次都只有幾公釐的厚度而已。如果每次都只鋪少量的話，一年就可以重覆鋪砂好幾次。但是偶爾也需要多鋪一些。依據實際的情況(草皮的種類，割草的高度，以及季節)，可以鋪到0.375英吋的厚度。鋪砂所用的材質可以藉由拖拉式的鋼毯或是金屬刷子將其壓入草皮中。在較小的草皮區裡可以用掃帚將鋪砂材質均勻的掃入草皮裡。

Figure圖4 : Cross-section of coring holes filled with topdressing material鋪砂材質填滿了打洞後的孔徑裡的橫切面示意圖

Topdressing is an excellent management tool. Golf greens are routinely topdressed, which accounts for the smoothness associated with high-quality greens. Golf greens that are routinely topdressed rarely develop thatch problems.

鋪砂是一個很好的草皮管理工具。高爾夫球的果嶺都會作定期的鋪砂保養，以維持高品質所呈現出的平滑度。凡是有定期作鋪砂保養的果嶺很少會有枯草層(草盤層)的問題。