BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE (BMP)
Root Zone Health, Heat Stress, Water Management & Turf Recovery
A Science-Based Approach to Diagnosing Warm-Season Turf Problems
Prepared for BES-TEX Supply, LLC
San Angelo, Texas
"Healthy turf begins below the surface."
Purpose
Every summer, customers visit BES-TEX with brown spots, thinning turf, or declining bermudagrass. While many assume the problem is a fungus, research and field experience show that environmental stress is often the primary cause.
This BMP is designed to help our staff diagnose the underlying cause before recommending products.
Our objective is simple:
Diagnose the problem first. Recommend products second.
The BES-TEX Philosophy
Grass doesn't read labels.
It responds to its environment.
Healthy turf is built by understanding:
• Soil
• Water
• Roots
• Temperature
• Oxygen
• Nutrition
• Sunlight
Only after understanding these factors should pesticides or specialty products be recommended.
STEP 1
Begin With Questions
Before discussing products, ask:
• What type of grass do you have?
• How long has the problem existed?
• Is it spreading?
• Has anything recently changed?
• Are you using city water or well water?
• Has the lawn been treated recently?
• Have you applied fertilizer?
• Has a fungicide already been used?
• Has an insecticide already been used?
STEP 2
Inspect the Root Zone
Never diagnose a lawn from the leaves alone.
Inspect:
• Root depth
• Root color
• Soil moisture
• Soil temperature
• Soil compaction
• Drainage
• Odor
Healthy roots should be:
• White to cream colored
• Firm
• Numerous
• Deep
Poor roots are often:
• Brown
• Black
• Short
• Rotten
• Easily pulled from the soil
STEP 3
Measure Soil Temperature
Root temperature is one of the most overlooked measurements in turfgrass management.
Approximate guidelines:
Below 90°F
Excellent growing conditions.
90–100°F
Root growth begins slowing.
100–110°F
Moderate heat stress.
110–115°F
Significant root stress.
Above 115°F
Root function may decline rapidly, especially when combined with drought, compaction or poor-quality irrigation water.
Measure soil temperature approximately 2 inches below the surface during the afternoon.
STEP 4
Evaluate Irrigation
Many lawn problems are irrigation problems.
Inspect:
• Sprinkler coverage
• Plugged nozzles
• Pressure problems
• Overspray
• Dry areas
• Wet areas
Perform a catch-can test whenever possible.
Water deeply and infrequently rather than shallow daily watering.
STEP 5
Localized Dry Spot
Localized Dry Spot (LDS) occurs when portions of the soil become water repellent.
Symptoms include:
• Brown patches
• Water running off instead of soaking in
• Turf declining despite irrigation
• Dry soil beneath dead grass
A screwdriver or soil probe can quickly identify dry areas.
STEP 6
Soil Surfactants (Wetting Agents)
Purpose:
Improve water movement into and through the soil profile.
Benefits
• Improves infiltration
• Reduces runoff
• Improves irrigation efficiency
• Reduces localized dry spot
• Encourages deeper rooting
Typical Program
Initial application:
8–16 ounces per 1,000 square feet
Monthly maintenance:
4–8 ounces per 1,000 square feet
Apply in at least 2 gallons of water per 1,000 sq ft and irrigate with approximately ¼ inch of water after application unless applied through the irrigation system. Always follow the product label.
STEP 7
Hydretain®
Purpose
Hydretain is a root-zone moisture management product.
Unlike a wetting agent, Hydretain helps plants utilize existing soil moisture more efficiently.
Benefits
• Delays drought stress
• Improves water-use efficiency
• May reduce irrigation frequency
• Helps turf during periods of extreme heat
Typical Program
Initial application
9 ounces per 1,000 square feet
Monthly maintenance
3 ounces per 1,000 square feet
Water into the root zone soon after application according to the label.
Hydretain is NOT
• A wetting agent
• A fungicide
• A fertilizer
• A salt remover
• A replacement for irrigation
STEP 8
Core Aerification
One of the best cultural practices available.
Benefits
• Improves oxygen movement
• Reduces compaction
• Improves infiltration
• Encourages deeper roots
• Improves fertilizer movement
• Improves overall soil health
STEP 9
Organic Matter
Many West Texas soils contain less than 1% organic matter.
Low organic matter contributes to:
• Faster drying
• Reduced microbial activity
• Increased heat stress
• Reduced water-holding capacity
• Poor root development
Increasing organic matter improves overall soil performance.
STEP 10
Irrigation Water Quality
When using well water, a water analysis is highly recommended.
Important measurements include:
Electrical Conductivity (EC)
EC measures the total concentration of dissolved salts in irrigation water.
Higher EC means more dissolved salts.
High EC can:
• Reduce water uptake
• Increase drought stress
• Contribute to salt accumulation
Think of EC as:
"How salty is the water?"
Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR)
SAR measures the amount of sodium relative to calcium and magnesium.
High SAR can:
• Destroy soil structure
• Reduce infiltration
• Reduce oxygen
• Increase runoff
• Increase compaction
Think of SAR as:
"How damaging is the sodium to the soil?"
Both EC and SAR should always be evaluated together.
STEP 11
Fertility
Base fertilizer recommendations on a soil test.
Avoid excessive nitrogen during periods of extreme summer heat.
STEP 12
Disease
Many diseases are secondary problems.
Stress weakens turf.
Disease follows.
Always inspect:
• Roots
• Soil moisture
• Irrigation
• Soil temperature
before recommending fungicides.
WHEN NOT TO USE THESE PRODUCTS
Wetting Agents
Do NOT expect wetting agents to:
• Cure disease
• Fix irrigation systems
• Remove salts
• Correct fertility problems
• Eliminate compaction
Hydretain®
Do NOT expect Hydretain to:
• Replace irrigation
• Cure disease
• Remove sodium
• Lower salinity
• Correct drainage
Gypsum
Do NOT recommend gypsum simply because soil pH is high.
Gypsum is most beneficial when testing confirms sodium-related soil problems.
Fungicides
Do NOT recommend fungicides simply because the grass is brown.
Brown grass is a symptom, not a diagnosis.
BES-TEX Diagnostic Order
Before recommending any product, ask:
✓ Is the grass alive?
✓ Are the roots healthy?
✓ Is the soil wet or dry?
✓ What is the soil temperature?
✓ Is irrigation uniform?
✓ Has a wetting agent been used?
✓ Has the lawn been aerified?
✓ Is the irrigation water from a well?
✓ Has the water been tested for EC and SAR?
✓ Is there evidence of insects?
✓ Is there evidence of disease?
Only after answering these questions should a product recommendation be made.
Final Thoughts
At BES-TEX Supply, we believe our responsibility extends beyond selling products. Our goal is to educate customers, identify the true cause of turf problems, and recommend science-based solutions that provide long-term success.
Treat the cause, not just the symptom.