Page 29 - Transitioning Turfgrass

6 ETS Field Days
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Photo 4 Acidification plant in the pumping station. Photo 5 Instrumental control of trees.

Nature Conservation at the Golf Course A new bunker construction technique:
comparison of maintenance costs
Operation Pollinator was recently launched by
the experts of the “Esapolis”, the Insect Museum Bunkers maintenance is certainly an important
of Padova. After conducting a census of the in- and expensive part of golf course management.
sects and plants found at the golf course (Photo In fact, bunkers need to be regularly checked
3, page 24), the researchers evaluated how to and maintained because vegetation can develop
create new habitats for insects to attract birdlife. around and within its borders, the sand is contam-
One of the ways is by introducing scents that can inated by dirt or gravel or is washed out. Three
attract insects that will, in turn, attract birds. materials to avoid contaminating the sand and to
The operation also intends to focus the attention limit the growth of weeds were tested. Zoysia ma-
of members of the golf course towards the beauty trella, a species characterized by a slow growth
of the natural environment in which the course is was planted on the edges of the bunkers. Techni-
included by, among other things, positioning bee- cal and economic analyses were made.
hives to produce honey along its paths.

Studies presently underway
The role of Golf della Montecchia
in protecting nature Studies presently underway are:
* Examining the advantages at using irrigation
The staff of Golf della Montecchia has long been water acidification system to control the soil
working to maintain and enhance all aspects pH (Photo 4);

of the natural environment including wild grass * Comparing mechanical system to control
areas, acquatic and riparian vegetation in the broad leaf weeds;

ponds and woodlands. These interventions have * Evaluating protocols to control Spring Dead
increased the space for wildlife particularly in Spot (Ophiosphaerella spp.) on bermudagrass
anthropized environments. In 2017 using the cen- and dollar spot (Sclerotinia homeocarpa) on
sus carried out by the National Italian Institute creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera);
for Wildlife, researchers were able to verify that * Monitoring and manage tree heritage (Photo 5).

the area of the golf course have a larger quanti-
ty and density of wild species with respect to the
surrounding area. Nine of these species are con-
sidered as conservation priority.

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