Polka-dot pattern due to salinity
View LargerThis polka-dot pattern occurred due to high soil salts. Healthy turf grows in aeration holes where improved drainage leaches salts due to pereferential flow of water down the aeration holes. Salinity-stressed turf develops outside aeration holes because leaching is not occurring there due to pereferential flow of water into aeration holes. A similar effect occurs when black layer is present, and turf grows more actively in aeration holes where higher oxygen levels exist.