Estimating economic minimums of mowing, fertilizing, and irrigating turfgrass

Authors

Douglas J. Soldat, University of Wisconsin-Madison
James T. Brosnan, The Univeristy of TennesseeFollow
Ambika Chandra, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center
Roch E. Gaussoin, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Alec Kowalewski, Oregon State University
Bernd Leinauer, Extension Plant Sciences, N Skeen Hall
Frank S. Rossi, Cornell University School of Intergrative Plant Science
John C. Stier, The Univeristy of Tennessee
J. Bryan Unruh, West Florida Research and Education Center

ORCID IDs

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3390-1740

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2854-3483

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3700-2005

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0861-1095

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3621-7861

Date of this Version

2020

Citation

Agric Environ Lett. 2020;5:e20032

https://doi.org/10.1002/ael2.20032

Comments

2020 The Authors

Abstract

The public health crisis and economic recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have forced turfgrass industry professionals to re-evaluate standard practices. Minimum costs required to fertilize, irrigate, and mow turfgrasses can be roughly estimated using climate data, turfgrass physiology information, and resource costs. Although the actual minimum costs vary situationally and regionally, mowing golf putting greens optimally requires about US$34 per acre per month, whereas other turfgrass areas cost less than US$11 per acre per growing month. Fertilizer applications to turfgrass cost US$22 or less per acre per growing month. Irrigation costs (water and electricity for pumping) vary widely, with the least expensive regions requiring ∼US$300 per acre per year compared with 12 times more than that total in other parts of the United States.