Summary - Evaluation of intercept drain installed using FR1 Trencher by the STRI
The objective of the research was to evaluate the benefit of using the FR1 Trencher to install localised, narrow intercept drains on a sloped area of turf. During conditions of surface runoff, the installation of a 1”gravel filled localised intercept drain resulted in a significantly firmer playing surface, in comparison to an area where no intercept drain was installed.
Treatments
The trial had two treatments:
After the installation of the intercept trial, conditions were not conducive for the testing of the trial until the prolonged wet weather experienced from November onwards. From mid-December onwards, to help create surface run off, plastic ground covers were installed directly above the trial area, so that when it rained, water would flow onto the golf green turf downslope.
- Untreated control where water was able to flow downslope onto the golf green turf.
- Area where a 1” intercept drain, backfilled with fine gravel, installed at the top of the slope.
After the installation of the intercept trial, conditions were not conducive for the testing of the trial until the prolonged wet weather experienced from November onwards. From mid-December onwards, to help create surface run off, plastic ground covers were installed directly above the trial area, so that when it rained, water would flow onto the golf green turf downslope.
Results - Surface Hardness
After the ground covers were installed to create surface runoff onto the trial plots, turf below the intercept drain was significantly firmer than turf where no intercept drain was installed. These effects were consistent for the remainder of the trial.
The installation of an intercept drain on an area of sloped turf consistently resulted in a firmer playing surface, especially when surface runoff was encouraged. However, this did not correlate with significantly drier soil conditions. This was due to an experimental artifact in that, under conditions when runoff would be expected i.e. heavy rainfall, rain water was still falling on uncovered turf surface, thereby wetting the soil.
The STRI confirmed from the trial that there was a consistent benefit, in terms of increasing surface firmness, of installing a localised 1” gravel intercept drain. The trencher was effective at installing this narrow drain, which had a measurable effect on improving surface playability on a sloped golf green.
The installation of an intercept drain on an area of sloped turf consistently resulted in a firmer playing surface, especially when surface runoff was encouraged. However, this did not correlate with significantly drier soil conditions. This was due to an experimental artifact in that, under conditions when runoff would be expected i.e. heavy rainfall, rain water was still falling on uncovered turf surface, thereby wetting the soil.
The STRI confirmed from the trial that there was a consistent benefit, in terms of increasing surface firmness, of installing a localised 1” gravel intercept drain. The trencher was effective at installing this narrow drain, which had a measurable effect on improving surface playability on a sloped golf green.