A study on mechanization of aeration in turfgrass

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assoc. prof. of Agric. power and mach. Eng. Dept., Faculty of Agric. Eng., Al-Azhar Univ.

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to develop and evaluate aeration machine for turfgrass to make under Egyptian condition. The aeration machine was evaluated versus two holes density (24 and 48 hole/m2), two hollow tine diameters (2.5 and 3 cm), three average depths of aeration (4, 6 and 8 cm) and four forward speeds (2, 2.7, 3.6 and 4 km/h). After 7 days from aeration operation the results showed that the lower bulk density and penetration resistance values was 0.960 g/cm3 and 154 kPa, respectively opposite it the higher porosity and void ratio values were 65.09% and 1.865, respectively at 48 hole/m2 holes density, 3 cm tine diameter, 8 cm depth of hole and forward speed 2 km/h comparing with control 1.271 g/cm3, 337 kPa, 53.79% and 1.164 for density, penetration resistance, porosity and void ratio, respectively. The higher actual field capacity was (0.941 fed/h) at 24 hole/m2 holes density, 2.5 cm tine diameter, 4 cm depth of hole and forward speed 4 km/h. The lower energy required was 16.223 kw.h/fed, at 24 hole/m2 holes density, 2.5 cm tine diameter, 4 cm depth of hole and forward speed 4 km/h.

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