Black layer role of irrigation

To keep greens cool during the summer, light and frequent irrigation and/or syringing are necessary. But unless you keep on your toes by regularly flushing or leaching greens, black layer will be an unwelcome outcome of your summertime irrigation program.

Light, frequent irrigation sets encourage black layer because most of the water stays at the top of the root zone — in the surface thatch/mat area. When this happens, a "seal" develops that prevents oxygen from reaching the roots, and…