Dandelion management at Värpinge golf course

Summary

At Värpinge GC, dandelions (Taraxacum sp.) affect playing quality. Since 2010, special vertical cutting equipment has been tested.

There has been no clear effect of superficial verticutting (of leaves) on dandelion occurrence, overall and at each treatment time. However, there seems to be a tendency for less weeds in general in 2014, compared with 2010 and 2011. The variation within season, between seasons and between the two fairways is pronounced, although the degree of cover of dandelions is generally low, often below 5%. Verticutting of dandelions may thus be a way to manage this weed in order to create a better playing surface.

In 2017, work was performed on the report and a field day was held in spring. At the field day, the project was presented together with other multifunctional initiatives at Värpinge GC. The following themes were presented and discussed: 1) Weed control of dandelion with a special vertical cutter. Weed control was discussed on-site in the trials and weed control equipment (Toro) was demonstrated. 2) Grazing with sheep of the entire course; what it does and how it is achieved in practice. 3) Organic vegetable cultivation in CSA format on golf course roughs. This is a social project in collaboration with Lund municipality. 4) Crane track - free architectural golf course for children up to 12 years. A totally unique course with reversible playing direction devised by the course architect.

Contact
Håkan Rasmusson

Håkan Rasmusson, Värpinge golf course, Rinnebäcks gård, 227 63 Lund, Sweden Phone: +46 705 189130, E-mail: hakan@varpingegolfbana.se

FACTS
Category: Turfgrass
Status: Finished
Project period: April 2014 - June 2016

Fundings (kSEK)

 

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Total

STERF

75

50

 

 14

 

139

Other sources

21

6

 

 0

 

27

Total

96

56

 

 14

 

166

Project objectives

  • To obtain knowledge regarding the dandelion frequency and dandelion morphology/appearance over the growing season and to determine whether it is affected by the vertical cutting regime.
  • To obtain some indications on how dandelions appear over the entire growing season under a frequent mowing/grazing regime.
  • To evaluate the effect of superficial verticutting on playing quality.

Project participants

Håkan Rasmusson

Värpinge golf course, Rinnebäcks gård, 227 63 Lund, Sweden

+46 705 189130

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