Comparison between Different Rotary Mowing Systems: Testing a New Method to Calculate Turfgrass Mowing Quality

Michel Pirchio, Marco Fontanelli, Fabio Labanca, Christian Frasconi, Luisa Martelloni, Michele Raffaelli, Andrea Peruzzi, Monica Gaetani, Simone Magni, Lisa Caturegli, Marco Volterrani and Nicola Grossi
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Michel Pirchio: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Marco Fontanelli: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Fabio Labanca: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Christian Frasconi: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Luisa Martelloni: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Michele Raffaelli: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Andrea Peruzzi: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Monica Gaetani: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Simone Magni: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Lisa Caturegli: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Marco Volterrani: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Nicola Grossi: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy

Agriculture, 2018, vol. 8, issue 10, 1-11

Abstract: Poor quality in turfgrass mowing is highlighted by the shredded leaf tips with necrotic tissues that give an unsightly brownish colour to the turf and may also lead to turf disease. Mowing quality is also typically assessed by visual rating, thus the score depends on the person doing the assessment. To make the evaluation of mowing quality not subjective, an innovative method was developed. The aim of the trial was to examine the effects of different mowing systems and two different nitrogen rates (100 and 200 kg ha −1 ) on two turfgrass species in order to test the new mowing quality calculation. Three different mowing systems were used: a battery-powered rotary mower set at 3000 rpm and 5000 rpm respectively and a gasoline-powered rotary mower set at full throttle. The battery-powered mower at low blade rpm produced a poorer mowing quality and turf quality than the gasoline-powered mower and battery-powered mower at high rpm, which produced a similar mowing quality and turf quality. Leaf tip damage level values showed a significant correlation with the results of the visual mowing quality assessment. Lower leaf tip damage level values (slightly above 1) corresponded to higher visual mowing quality scores (around 8).

Keywords: rotary mowing; dull blades; leaf shredding (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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