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Turf Management

Understanding NDVI's Role:

  • NDVI measures the health and density of vegetation by comparing the reflection of near-infrared light (high in healthy plants) and red light (absorbed by healthy plants).

  • It helps detect plant stress (from drought, pests, disease, nutrient deficiency, compaction, etc.) before it's easily visible to the human eye.

  • This allows for proactive, targeted management – applying water, fertilizer, or treatments only where needed, saving resources and improving turf consistency.

Factors Influencing Monitoring Frequency:

  1. Time of Year / Growth Season:

    • Peak Growing Season: More frequent monitoring is needed when turf is actively growing and environmental stresses (heat, humidity, drought) are higher. Consider weekly or bi-weekly checks.

    • Shoulder Seasons (Spring/Fall): Moderate frequency might suffice as growth slows and stress levels change. Consider bi-weekly or monthly checks.

    • Dormant Season: Less frequent monitoring is typically needed unless specific issues like winter damage are being assessed. Consider monthly or less frequent checks.

  2. Area of the Course:

    • Greens: These are high-value, intensely managed areas often under significant stress. They benefit most from frequent monitoring. Consider weekly checks, potentially even multiple times per week with handheld meters during high-stress periods.

    • Tees & Fairways: Important playing surfaces, but often less sensitive than greens. Consider bi-weekly or monthly checks during the growing season.

    • Roughs: Generally require the least frequent monitoring. Consider monthly or seasonal checks.

  3. Specific Management Goals:

    • Early Stress Detection: Requires regular checks to catch problems early (e.g., weekly).

    • Irrigation Management: Monitoring before/after irrigation cycles or during dry spells might necessitate more frequent checks (potentially multiple times a week on key areas).

    • Fertilization Response: Checking before and periodically after applications (e.g., weekly for a few weeks post-application) helps assess effectiveness.

    • Disease/Pest Monitoring: Increased frequency during periods of high risk.

  4. Technology Used:

    • Drone-Based NDVI Mapping: Provides comprehensive coverage. Frequency might be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Subscription services offered with regular flights.

Suggested Schedule Framework:

  • Establish a Baseline: Map the entire course (or key areas) during optimal health to understand normal NDVI ranges for different turf types and areas.

  • Peak Season (Active Growth & High Stress Potential):

    • Greens: Weekly (drone).

    • Fairways/Tees: Weekly to Bi-weekly (drone).

  • Shoulder Seasons (Moderate Growth/Stress):

    • Greens: Weekly (drone).

    • Fairways/Tees: Bi-weekly to Monthly.

  • Off-Season/Dormancy:

    • Monthly or as needed for specific assessments (e.g., winter kill).

Important Considerations:

  • Consistency: Take readings under similar conditions (e.g., time of day, sunlight) for better comparisons over time. Mowing can affect readings, so be aware of that timing.

  • Ground-Truthing: NDVI identifies variability or potential stress, but it doesn't tell you the exact cause. Always investigate areas flagged by NDVI readings to diagnose the specific issue (e.g., check soil moisture, look for disease symptoms, take soil/tissue samples).

  • Relative Change: Monitoring trends and changes in NDVI over time, or relative to healthy control areas, is often more valuable than focusing solely on absolute numbers.

Ultimately, the best schedule is one that integrates into your agronomic program, provides timely data for decision-making. Start with a baseline frequency and adjust based on observed conditions and management needs.

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