Effect of the tine type on mechanical aeration of grassy sward
Authors/Creators
- 1. Chahaibi Sayed, Pr. Department of Rural Engineering, Higher Institute of Agronomy, 4042 Chott Meriem, University of Sousse, Tunisia.
- 2. 6Department of Soils and Agri-Food Engineering, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 0A6, Canada.
Description
The effect of mechanical aeration depending on the tine type was studied on a sandy soil of Tunisian golf green. Aeration was performed using an aerator Verti-drain of 1.6 m of width, at a perforation density of 250 holes/m2. Two types of tines were used, hollow tines with outer and inner diameters of 12 and 10 mm respectively, and full tines with a diameter of 8 mm. Measurements focused on soil resistance to penetration and its bulk density. They were performed at initial state (E0) and 6, 21, 40 and 53 days after aeration. Results showed that mechanical aeration as it was practiced progressively improved grassy soil structure by reducing its resistance to penetration and bulk density compared to initial state, especially with hollow tines perforation. However, this situation lasts only about ten days to see again the soil compaction. Indeed, measurements 6, 21 and 40 days after aeration, showed a continuous lowering of soil parameters and the optimum was recorded at 40 days. However, from 53 days after aeration, soil started to return to its initial state.