Matching Subjective Assessments of Sod Strength to Quantitative Measurements of Peak Shear Force with Predominately Kentucky Bluegrass Sod

作者：Guillard Karl^*; Fitzpatrick Richard J M; Burdett Holly

来源：Hortscience, 2015, 50(8): 1248-1251.

DOI：10.21273/hortsci.50.8.1248

• Poa pratensis
• shear strength
• sod quality
• turfgrass quality

Adequate turfgrass sod strength for harvesting and handling is typically determined by the producer's past experience and subjective appraisal. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between producer subjective sod-strength assessments and quantitative shear-strength measurements with predominantly ken-tucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) turf. Across three consecutive growing seasons, 93 samples were collected from sod fields in Rhode Island and assessed for sod strength by subjective and quantitative methods. Producer subjective ratings of sod strength were significantly (P < 0.0001) associated with quantitative measurements of peak force required to shear a sod strip. Minimally acceptable strength occurred most frequently when peak shear force was between 55 and 85 kg.m(-1) width of sod; whereas preferred sod strength occurred most frequently when peak shear force was between 70 and 140 kg.m(-1) width of sod. Once peak force exceeded 58 and 86 kg.m(-1), there was a > 50% probability that sod strength would be judged at least adequate and at preferred strength, respectively, up to a peak force of 140 kg.m(-1). The results suggest that quantitative measurements of shear strength can be related to producer subjective assessments, and provide unbiased benchmark values to guide management decisions for ken-tucky bluegrass sod production.

• 出版日期2015-8