1998 Iowa Turfgrass Research Report
Rubber Particles for Vehicular and Foot Traffic Areas - Demonstration Plot
Jeffrey J. Salmond and David D. Minner
A demonstration area was initiated in June 1996 to evaluate the effects of rubber particles for topdressing in areas that receive equipment traffic. Other experiments in this Research Report have found beneficial results from rubber topdressing when small plots and artificial traffic are used. Golf courses and other recreational areas where vehicles and mowers are repeatedly used typically develop turf wear and soil compaction problems.
A 16 ft. x 64 ft. area receiving intense equipment traffic at the Horticulture Research Station was arranged with four non-replicated treatments. The area was scalp-mowed, hollow core aerified, and the cores were then removed. Topdressing treatments consisted of a coarse crumb rubber, medium crumb rubber, and sand. All three topdressing materials were applied at a 0.5 in. depth, and an untreated control received no topdressing. Individual plot size was 16' x 16' (Table 1).
The total plot area was roped off for turfgrass re-establishment. The evaluation plots did not received traffic in 1996 or 1997. Traffic will begin in spring, 1998.
Table 1. Plot arrangement for topdressing treatments at 0.5 in. and an untreated control.
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coarse crumb
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ISU Horticulture:Publications:1998 Turfgrass Report | College of Agriculture |