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Shade On Golf Course Tees And Fairways

Shade has become a major problem in recent years on golf courses around the world. Four species commonly used on golf course Tees and Fairways that are affected by shade are Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pretensis), True Putt creeping bluegrass (Poa annua var. repens), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera). One of the main reasons for this problem is trees. The problem is getting turfgrass established and keeping it alive under shady conditions because of lack of adequate sunlight and competition from trees root systems completing with turf root system for water and nutrients. Shade alters several physiological and morphological characteristics including in increased stem elongation, longer leaf sheaths, higher chlorophyll content, and higher leaf succulence (Dudeck and Peacock 1992). Restriction of airflow in these shaded areas due to tree and shrubs can also promote diseases such as brown patch during summer months.
Planting trees was very popular in the first quarter of the twentieth century. Because of the early successes with tree planting these wide open areas on golf course have now become encircled with trees around greens, tees, and fairways causing shady conditions. Trees were originally thought to have been beneficial on golf courses because they are aesthetically pleasing, environmentally friendly, help in screening unwanted views and help as wind breaks. Trees are also habitats for bird and other wild life. What was originally thought to be beneficial on golf courses is now taking its toll on playing areas such as greens tees and fairways. Furthermore trees negative effects on golf courses are creating insufficient light and air movement resulting in loss of turf quality and creating unwanted traffic patterns due to bad placement.
Trees block light which is the ultimate source that runs the photosynthetic process in turfgrass plants. The quality is important in photosynthesis because...

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