SEAISLE 1, Sea Isle 2000 MANAGEMENT section

SPORTSFIELD MANAGEMENT - Establishment

SUMMARY DETAILED INFORMATION   1) Pre-establishment   2) Planting Recommendations   3) Mowing   4) Grow-in   5) Mature Turf   6) Evapotranspiration

SUMMARY

N:P:K Ratio 1:2:3

2 weeks after planting

4 weeks after planting

0.25kg N per 100 sq. metres (0.5 Lbs N/1000 ft.)

0.25kg N per 100 sq. metres (0.5 Lbs N/1000 ft.)

Following this establishment period, the fertility regime should be reduced. It is best to apply fertiliser in small increments (at least 2-3 applications) from late March or early April through August. Never apply more than 0.25kg (0.5 Lbs.) of water-soluble nitrogen per 100 sq. metres (1000 square feet) at any one time. Up to 0.5kg (1 lb.) of nitrogen per 100 sq. metres (1000 square feet) may be applied as long as at least 50% of the nitrogen is in slow-release form. Phosphorous application should be made depending upon results of soil tests. Generally, if phosphorous is needed, apply no more than 120-250g (1/4 to 1/2 lb.) of phosphorous for every 500g (1 lb.) of nitrogen applied. Potassium requirements of SeaIsle Paspalum are generally low, with rates of 120-250g (1/4 to 1/2 lb.) of potassium per 500g (1 lb.) of nitrogen being adequate.

DETAILED INFORMATION

1 - PRE-ESTABLISHMENT - Soil pH between 5.5 and 8.0 - Soil surface should be soft and pliable - Ideal, % soil CEC saturation values 1) % Ca = 65 - 85% 2) % Mg = 10 - 20% 3) % K = 2 - 7% - Salinity effects of soils 1) Electrical conductivity (ECe) < 4.0 d Sm-1 2) Total dissolved salts (TDS) < 2500 ppm 3) Sodium absorption ratio (SARe) <10 meq L-1 - Salinity effects of irrigation water 1) ECw < 3 d Sm-1 2) TDS < 2000 ppm 3) SARw <18 meq L-1 4) Residual sodium carbonate (RSCw) < 2.50 meq L-1 5) Na < 210 ppm 6) Cl < 355 ppm 7) Na < 2000 ppm

2 - PLANTING RECOMMENDATIONS Sprig Dispersal: 10 - 15kg per 100 sq. metres (5-14 bu/1,000 sq.ft. or 200-600 bu/Acre) Compaction: Sprigs can be covered by a thin layer of soil or sand, organic matter, or synthetic polymers to minimise compaction problems and maximise sprig survival Fertiliser: N levels should be kept low, since this grass prioritizes root development during the first month after planting. When stolons start growing, N can be added. P and K are essential for root development. Fertiliser formulations of 1:2:3 or 1:3:4 N:P:K are adequate at 150 - 250g per 100 sq. metres (0.33 - 0.50 lbs./1,000 sq. ft.) weekly for the first month. Herbicides: Granular Ronstar is safe to use at planting. Irrigation: Minimise drying of the surface during the first two weeks after sprigging. After root initiation, irrigation scheduling can be gradually lengthened in intervals between applications and in duration of each application (infrequent, longer duration events) to force the root system deeper into the soil profile. No Down Time: Paspalum sprigs can be planted into established bermudagrass turf, using a modified aerator to push the sprigs into the mature turf, rolling 3 - 4 times in different directions, topdressing, and frequent irrigation during the first two weeks after planting. A herbicide such as Prograss may be needed to transition the bermudagrass out of the stand during less aggressive growth of the bermuda after 6 - 8 weeks.

3 - MOWING Begin when vertical growth reaches 25 mm (1 inch). Mowing at 0.12 - 20 mm (0.50 - 0.75 inch) will enhance horizontal growth.

4 - GROW-IN Time Frame: Normal grow-in time from sprigs is 2-3 months, depending on sprig volume, water quality/quantity and environment. Fertility: At the time stolons start growing, N fertility should be shifted to an aggressive strategy coupled with regular verticutting or slicing to enhance grow-in. The fertility package should include balanced N-P-K fertilisers at 0.5kg per 100 sq. metres (1lb./1,000 sq. ft.) every 2-3 weeks until coverage is 90% complete. After each verticut, a highly soluble nitrate source may be applied at 0.5kg per 100 sq. metres (1 lb./1,000 sq. ft.) on 7-14 day cycles to escalate growth. Irrigation: Apply 6 - 12mm (0.25 to 0.50 inch) water after each fertiliser application. Mowing: Cutting heights should be no higher than 25 mm (1 inch) and preferably 13-20 mm (0.50-0.75 inch) to promote shorter internodes and a denser canopy.

5 - MATURE TURF Fertility: SeaIsle 1 does not take up NH4+N, but responds readily to NO3N. Scheduling is a cool season grass protocol: 1) 0.25 - 0.5kg N per 100 sq. metres (0.50 - 1.0 lb. N/1,000 sq. ft.)     applications during the fall and spring 2) 0.15 - 0.3kg N per 100 sq. metres (0.33 - 0.66 lb. N/1,000 sq. ft.)     applications during the summer, with minimal amounts during the     hottest months. 3) Do not exceed 2kg actual N per 100 sq. metres (4 lbs. actual     N/1,000 sq.ft.) per year. If that amount is exceeded, puffiness,     thatch buildup, and scalping may occur. 4) Apply K2O fertilisers at 0.5-1kg per 100 sq. metres (1-2 lbs./1,000     sq. ft.) during the fall to enhance winter hardiness.

6 - EVAPOTRANSPIRATION Environmental Averages Cool Humid Environment Cool Dry Environment Warm Humid Environment Warm Dry Environment Hot Humid Environment Hot Dry Environment 3-4 mm (0.10 - 0.15 inch) /day 4-6 mm (0.10 - 0.15 inch) /day 3-4 mm (0.15 - 0.20 inch) /day 4-6 mm (0.20 - 0.25 inch) /day 4-8 mm (0.20 - 0.30 inch) /day 8-10 mm (0.30 - 0.40 inch) /day Factors - Humidity - Temperature - Total Hours Sunlight - Soil Conditions:   - Clay   - Sand   - Organic Matter NOTE: Key basic information should be requested from analytical laboratories when submitting samples for analysis. Because SeaIsle 1 will often be grown in salt-challenged environments, knowledge about the level of salinity stress will be extremely important for making management decisions.