Compaction
COMPACTION
Increased play, often during the wet winter months, has made compaction a growing problem. The increased use of “ride-on” maintenance machinery may also contribute. Many turf maintenance problems are compaction related:
Compaction is usually found in the top 50-100mm. of the root zone. Because the spaces between the soil particles of compacted ground are smaller, especially on finer textured soils, air passage is restricted, with less air reaching the roots. Grasses starved of air at their roots cannot grow properly. In hot weather the roots need even more air to thrive.
Excess water pushes air out of the air spaces. Compacted soil does not drain freely, therefore in wet weather is more prone to waterlogging.
In the worst cases “Black Layer” can form; a stagnant, anaerobic layer characterised by its foul smell and dark colour. The gas produced kills the grass roots.
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AERATION FOR COMPACTION RELIEF
Natural aeration is a diffusion process enabling gaseous exchange in the soil to combat compaction. Mechanical aeration helps the process along by opening up the surface and allowing oxygen access to the roots.
However, aeration can actually increase compaction.
When a solid tine or slitting blade is pushed into the soil it affects the air spaces, or pores, by converting several smaller pores into one large pore. In doing this the surrounding air spaces are compressed and reduced in size - compaction. The compacted walls of the tine hole restrict root growth. The roots can only grow down to the limit of the hole made, and will then die back.
For tines and slitting blades to relieve compaction they must either create “heave”, or remove some
of the soil to reduce the overall density. Both methods will cause disruption to the playing surface.
AER-AID FOR EFFECTIVE COMPACTION RELIEF
An aeration system that utilises air injection preserves the existing large pores and enlarges the smaller pores, distributing air through the pore system and relieving compaction, without disturbing the surface.
Conventional aerators must be used when the soil is dry for good results. The SISIS AER-AID works equally well in moist conditions.
The SISIS AER-AID SYSTEM injects air directly into the root zone, speeding up the aeration process and delivering the benefits of reduced compaction faster than conventional aerators.
By producing tine holes with uncompacted walls, and increasing the number of large air spaces in the soil, the AER-AID promotes strong root development and improved water retention in the summer months, and improves drainage in the winter months.
AER-AID IN HOT, DRY CONDITIONS
In hot, dry conditions, when the soil temperature rises to 20oC, the grass stops growing. As the temperature rises even higher, the grass will start to die back. Using the AER-AID in these
conditions can reduce the soil temperature by 4-5oC, maintaining a healthy sward.
