-
DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 457 664 EF 005 630
TITLE Sports Field Management Guide, September 1999.PUB DATE
1999-09-00NOTE 17p.; Color photos made not reproduce clearly.
Supplement to
"Grounds Maintenance" and "American School &
University"magazines. Produced by Intertec Publishing
Corporation.
PUB TYPE Collected Works - General (020) Guides
Non-Classroom(055)
EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.DESCRIPTORS *Athletic Fields;
*Guidelines; *Turf Management
ABSTRACTThis journal presents three articles on athletic
facility
turf management practices. Articles are as follows: "Turfgrass
Choices forAthletic Fields" (Eric K. Nelson); "Fertilization:
Maximizing Performance ofHigh-Traffic Turf" (John C. Stier); and
"Tips for Sports Turf-Managers" (GilLandry). (GR)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be madefrom
the original document.
-
n ui eSeptember
TOW. asumag.comZOZORD.
INTERTEV PRIMEEIIA Pub cation
Table of ContentsTurfgrass choices forathletic fields 2
Fertilization: Maximizingperformance of high-traffic turf 8
Tips for sports-turfmanagers 12
U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONOffice of Educational Research and
Improvement
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATIONCENTER (ERIC)
his document has been reproduced asreceived from the person or
organizationoriginating it
0 Minor changes have been made toimprove reproduction
quality
Points of view or opinions stated in thisdocument do not
necessarily representofficial OERI position or policy
PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE ANDDISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS
BEEN GRANTED BY
1
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESINFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)
BEST COPY AVAILABLEMg,
-
Turfg asschoices forathletic fieldsBy Eric K. Nelson, The Scotts
Company
hen select-ing turfgrassff n teh lfei tr isct
thing to con-sider is adaptation to your environ-mental and
climatic conditions. Othersite considerations and
availablemanagement resources should guideyou to an appropriate
species and,finally, to varieties that will performwell in your
situation.
If you had an unlimited budget,you could control most
environmen-tal factors to best suit your turfgrass.
In reality, some construction andmanagement procedures are just
tooexpensive for the average operation.Turfgrass selection,
however, is acritical part of a project you can eas-ily and
inexpensively control.
Even the best-adapted turfgrasseswill fail if your site is
poorly con-structed or you do not follow goodcultural practices.
Prior to construc-tion, send root-zone soil samples toa
professional laboratory to testphysical and chemical
characteris-tics. Ensure that you uniformly in-corporate the
appropriate physical
Cho sing the rightt rfgrass variety is
the first step for thesuccessful establishment
of your athletic turl.and nutritional amendments forgood
root-zone consistency. Opti-mum drainage and root-zone aera-tion
are absolutely critical to suc-cess regardless of the turfgrass
youselect.
Another important factor in suc-
U. S. TURFGRASS CLIMATE ZONES
The turfgrass you choose must be appropriate for your climate
zone.
ZONE 1Cool semi-arid& northern cool humid
ZONE 2Cool humid
ZONE 3Transition zone
ZONE 4Warm marine
- & warm temperate
ZONE 5Sub-tropical& tropical
2 SPORTS FIELDmanagement guide September 1999
3
-
cessful establishment of sports turfis allowing enough time for
the turfto mature. Unfortunately, we oftenrush to open a facility
before juve-nile plants have matured properly.
Choosing species andcultivars
The best grasses for sports turfare species offering good
traffictolerance, shear resistance and re-cuperative ability. The
species thatbest meet these criteria are Ken-tucky bluegrass,
perennialryegrass and tall fescue (cool-sea-son grasses) and
bermudagrass andzoysiagrass (warm-season grasses).The first
decision you must makeis which of these two groups is bestfor your
location? Cool-seasongrasses are best adapted to Zones1 and 2 (see
zone map, page 2),though you can use perennialryegrass for winter
overseeding in theSouth. Warm-season grasses are mostsuited to
Zones 4 and 5. Managers inZone 3the Transition Zone haveoptions in
both groups.
Within each species, many avail-able varieties, or cultivars,
exhibitvarious levels of vigor, seasonal per-formance, stress
tolerance, pest resis-tance and other qualities. Because noperfect
variety exists, it often helpsto blend complementary varieties
oreven mix distinct species to improveturf adaptation and
performance. TheNational Turfgrass Evaluation Pro-gram (NTEP),
university trials andseed-company representatives aregood sources
of information aboutturfgrass characteristics.
Cool-season turfgrassesKentucky bluegrass. In cool-season
areas, Kentucky bluegrass is a topchoice for athletic fields for
severalreasons. It is wear tolerant, providesexcellent traction,
recuperates wellfrom injury, mows cleanly, has goodpest resistance
and performs well un-der varying maintenance practices.Kentucky
bluegrass is hardy in Zones1 and 2 and more cold tolerant
thaneither perennial ryegrass or tall fes-cue.
Spreading rhizomes are the mostvaluable characteristic of
Kentuckybluegrass on athletic fields. Theyproduce a tightly knit
sod that bindsthe soil, resists shearing forces andprotects the
crown of the plant. Rhi-
Seedling survival limited to aerification holes indicates severe
compaction, which youmust correct before you can expect successful
turfgrass establishment.
zomes also permit the grass plant tocreep into bare spots
created byscuffs and divots.
Kentucky bluegrass' thatch pro-duction can be beneficial or a
man-agement headache, depending onhow much accumulates. Thatch
in-sulates against winter kill, reducessoil compaction and softens
the play-ing surface. A layer more than 0.5inch thick, however,
creates a barrierto water movement, harbors insectsand disease, and
reduces pest-con-trol efficacy. Cultural practices suchas aeration,
vertical mowing andtopdressing keep thatch manage-able. If limited
resources prevent youfrom performing these operationsregularly,
consider choosing a Ken-tucky bluegrass variety known forslow
thatch accumulation.
You should mow Kentucky blue-grass no lower than 1 inch, but a
2-inch mowing height will produce ahealthier, more stress-tolerant
and re-silient turf. If you plan to maintain theturf at a low
mowing height, plant avariety selected for low-mowing
tol-erance.
Choose a Kentucky bluegrass vari-ety with good performance
during theseason you expect the most intensefield use. For example,
spring greenupis important for traditional springsports such as
baseball and softballbecause actively growing tissue is bet-ter
able to recover from injury. Wintercolor and frost tolerance are
indicatorsof varieties that actively grow during
4
cooler months and thus would be suit-able for fall sports.
Relative to other cool-season grassesfor athletic fields,
Kentucky bluegrassis slow to germinate and establish. Al-low a
minimum of 180 days of stress-free growing for establishment of
pureKentucky bluegrass from seed beforeany intensive use of the
turf. If youhave less than 180 days until inten-sive use,
installing sod is your bestoption. Whether you choose seed orsod,
use a blend of several varietiesthat have complementary
characteris-tics giving season-long performance.
Ryegrass overseeding can begin im-mediately after sod transplant
if youneed increased wear tolerance. Anotheralternative when
establishment time islimited is to sow a mixture of 70-per-cent
Kentucky bluegrass and 30-per-cent perennial ryegrass at 3 pounds
per1,000 square feet. This allows the Ken-tucky bluegrass to gain a
footholdwhile the perennial ryegrass producesquick soil
stabilization and wear tol-erance. With limited initial use and
atleast 90 days of good growing condi-tions, this mix soon will
provide astrong turfgrass stand.Perennial ryegrass. Positive
char-
acteristics of perennial ryegrasses forsports turf include
excellent weartolerance, a tough, vigorous root sys-tem that
resists shearing forces, tol-erance of soil compaction and
highshoot density at low cutting heights.Some v.arieties contain
endophytes
Continued...
SPORTS FIELD 3management guideSeptember 1999
-
STURFGRASS CHOICES FOR ATHLETIC FIELDS V
that impart increased insect resis-tance. Ryegrasses also are
resistantto lethal bluegrass diseases such asnecrotic ringspot and
summer patch.High germination and seedling vigormake perennial
ryegrasses valuablewhen you need speedy establish-ment.
Perennial ryegrass can provide amature turf sooner than
Kentuckybluegrass or tall fescue. If you haveonly 60 to 90 days for
establishmentfrom seeda common situationyour only realistic option
is to plantperennial ryegrass and then continueto overseed
regularly. Strong germi-nation energy also makes perennialryegrass
the best choice foroverseeding worn or diseased turf.
Perennial ryegrass is the best cool-season species for compacted
soils.However, this tolerance varies a gooddeal among varieties, so
be sure youchoose one with characteristics youdesire.
Some seed companies offer dwarf-type perennial ryegrasses that
ratewell in visual quality. Early experi-ences with these
selections indicatethey have lower vigor than conven-tional
varieties. This increases thepotential for weed encroachment
andreduces ryegrasses' utility for quickestablishment and
recuperation frominjury. On the positive side, thedwarf-type
ryegrasses tend to bemore heat tolerant and persist betterin the
transition zone. They also re-quire less mowing than other
variet-ies. Weigh these factors carefully be-fore choosing a
dwarf-type perennialryegrass.
Many athletes prefer turf mowedlower than 1 inch because they
feelit allows them more speed. If youmust cater to this preference,
remem-ber that perennial ryegrass is moretolerant of close cutting
than othercool-season grasses. However, cut-ting heights between 1
and 2 incheswill produce a better-quality, morestress-tolerant
turf.
The negative characteristics ofperennial ryegrass include lower
re-cuperative potential than Kentuckybluegrass, the inability to
formthatch, high nitrogen needs and sus-ceptibility to winter
damage.
Because it is a bunch-type grass,perennial ryegrass does not
spreadby stolons or rhizomes and thus haslimited recuperative
potential. As aresult, you must budget for frequent
overseeding of heavily used peren-nial ryegrass fields.
A thin thatch layer at the soil sur-face provides some
insulation to pro-tect perennial ryegrass from winterinjury.
Because perennial ryegrassdoes not produce thatch,
Kentuckybluegrass is the perfect complement.It is much hardier than
ryegrass andproduces a thatch layer helpful forwinter
protection.
Perennial ryegrass responds rap-idly to nitrogen fertilization.
About
Kentucky bluegrassand perennial ryegrass
offset each other'sweaknesses well. A
combination of the twoprovides the winter
hardiness, cushioningthatch layer and
recuperative abilities ofbluegrass, with ryegrass'
usefulness for quickestablishment and
1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 squarefeet each month maintains
vigor andreduces the impact of diseases.Breeders currently are
developingryegrasses more tolerant of reducednitrogen levels.
Perennial ryegrasses tend to besusceptible to winter damage.
Severedamage in the Northeast from thewinter of 1993-94 prompted
breed-ers to improve hardiness. Hardier va-rieties should be
available in the fu-ture. Until then, budget for a com-plete
renovation each spring.
Kentucky bluegrass and perennialryegrass offset each other's
weak-nesses well. A combination of thetwo provides the winter
hardiness,cushioning thatch layer and recu-perative abilities of
bluegrass, withryegrass' usefulness for quick estab-lishment and
overseeding. Both arewear-tolerant, making this a mixthat's tough
to beat for northern ath-letic turf.
Tall fescue. Tall fescue is a goodchoice for low-use athletic
fields withlimited irrigation. It is heat- anddrought-resistant,
has high germina-tion rates and is wear-tolerant onceestablished.
Give tall fescue 180
4 SPORTS FIELDmanagement guide September 1999
days of optimum growing conditionsbefore use. If time is
limited, tall-fes-cue sod is available.
To take advantage of the heat anddrought tolerance of tall
fescue, pre-pare soils as deeply as possible.Mowing height should
not be lowerthan 1.5 inches, but 2 inches willproduce healthier
turf. If you antici-pate heavy use or cannot correct soilconditions
to accommodate the deeproots of tall fescue, stick to peren-nial
ryegrass and Kentucky blue-grass.
Drawbacks of tall fescue includepoor tolerance of cutting
heights be-low 1.5 inches, only fair cold-hardi-ness, a bunching
habit and non-uni-form stands in the absence ofoverseeding. It also
needs at leastmoderate fertility to maintain colorand density.
Further, tall fescue re-quires soil temperatures above 55°Ffor
minimal germination, comparedto perennial ryegrass, which can
ger-minate at 45°F. This may limit sow-ing times.
As with the ryegrasses, some turf-grass breeders have
developeddwarf-type tall fescues that establishand recuperate too
slowly for goodathletic turf performance. Be wary ofthis if you are
thinking of using adwarf-type variety.
Because tall fescue is a bunch-typegrass, use 5 to 10 percent
(by weight)Kentucky bluegrass in your seed mixto provide for
lateral repair of divotsand scuffs. If you use more than 10percent
bluegrass, stand uniformitywill suffer. To maintain uniformity,tall
fescue must predominate the turfstand. This requires you to
overseedtwice annually with tall fescue or thesame fescue-bluegrass
mix.
Fawn and Alta are pasture-type fes-cues similar to KY31, and you
shouldavoid them regardless of price. Also,do not purchase any tall
fescue with-out a variety nameit may turn outto be pasture
grass.
Transition-zoneand warm-season grasses
Determine the season of heaviestuse when choosing a turfgrass
forathletic fields in the transition zone.There, cool-season
grasses performwell in late fall through spring butsuffer during
the summer. Warm-sea-son grasses, however, are best forfields
receiving intense summer use.
Continued...
-
In ONE year, this RASSHOPPERwill CUT and TRIM grass,
mulch,side-DISCHARGE and BAG clippings,bull-DOZE dirt, THROW
snow,
VACUUM leaves, SWEEP walkways,and AERATE soil.(For eveg thing
there is a SEASON.)
And for every season, Grasshopper has just the right
attachments.
Make a clean sweep with Quik-D-Tatch Vac® collection systems.
Mulch, bag or
discharge with the same deck for superior results in varying
conditions.
All-season grounds maintenance systems put Grasshopper
zero-radiusmaneuverability to work all year long. QM mounting
system lets you changeattachments in minutes without tools.
Easy to operate. Even beginning operators get the feel of
Grasshopper's dual-lever,Hydra-Smooth' controls in no time. Mow all
day with little or no fatigue.
Built-in quality. Robotic-welded steel construction
and specially designed components for long-
running durability.
I
MOVE UP TO
GRASSHOPPERABILITYgrasshop'per abilLty n.
the ability to make allthe right moves formowing quality
andtimesaving productivity
7+,
Akwv- 4
p.
Heavy-duty multipurpose 48- and 60-inch dozeiblades move dirt,
sand, gravel and snow quickband easily. The V-snow plow clears
sidewalks.
-PTO-driven 48- and 60-inch fixed angle rotarybrooms handle
dirt, debris and clean up toeight inches of snow. 60-inch
bidirectionalbroom available.
PTO-driven 48- and 60-inch snowthrowersthrow snow up to 20 feet
away. Winterenclosure for all snow removal attachmentsprovides
protection from wind and snow.
40- or 60-inch AERA-vator" penetrates hard,thy soil without
irrigation. ROPS with overheadcanopy is optional.
SL96 FlipUr' Decks rotate 90 degrees for easof maintenance and
compact transportability.
First to Finish...Built to Lasi
YOUR NEXT MOWERThe Grasshopper Company
One Grasshopper Trail P.O. Box 637
moundridge, KS 67107 U.S.A.
Phone: (316) 345-8621 FAX (316) 345-23(
Circle 150 on free info card
-
TURFGRASS CHOICES FOR ATHLETIC FIELDS
Winter hardiness and managementpractices also are important
charac-teristics for choosing the right spe-cies and variety. South
of the transi-tion zone, choose one of the warm-season
species.Bermudagrass. Historically,bermudagrasses have been the
topchoice for athletic fields in warm cli-mates. They are well
adapted forsummer use in Zones 4 and 5 becausethey manufacture and
store carbohy-drates at high temperatures more ef-ficiently than
cool-season grasses.You also can use bermudagrasses inthe
transition zone, but winter kill ispossible.
Bermudagrass has the best recu-perative potential of any
commonlycultivated turfgrass. When soil andair temperatures are
above 75°F, it isextremely vigorous if moisture andfertility levels
are adequate.Bermudagrass responds well to ni-trogen fertilization,
and it easily tol-erates mowing heights under 1 inch.
Although bermudagrass rhizomesand stolons provide a turf
thatquickly spreads to repair scuffs anddivots, they also
contribute to rapidthatch accumulation. Regular soilcultivation,
aeration and topdressingalleviate soil compaction and thatchbuildup
without sacrificing turf cov-erage for long periods.
Because bermudagrass growthslows in the fall and spring, and
stopsaltogether with winter dormancy, re-cuperative potential is
lost duringthese periods. Avoid wearing the dor-mant turf down to
bare soil throughwinter use. Overseed with perennialryegrass for
quick, temporary coverand color from late fall through mid-spring.
Choose ryegrass blends withexcellent germination and establish-ment
characteristics. Avoid dwarf-type and heat-tolerant
perennialryegrasses, which are slow to estab-lish and interfere
with the spring tran-sition back to bermudagrass.
Because bermudagrass is vulner-able to winter kill in the
transitionzone, varieties have been developedwith better winter
hardiness. But, insevere cold spells, any bermudagrasswill perish.
Where higher budgetsmake complete turf renovation pos-sible every
year, some managers feelthat the benefits of bermudagrassoutweigh
the risk of winter kill.
You can establish bermudagrassfrom seed, sprigs or sod. Your
choice
depends on the available budget, therequired speed of
establishment andthe varieties you've chosen. Sodshould be your
choice for completecoverage in the shortest time. Fielduse can
begin as soon as the sod issufficiently rooted.
Bermudagrass seed is availablehulled (the hulls removed)
orunhulled. Hulled bermudagrass seedgerminates more rapidly than
unhulledseed, so allow 2 to 3 weeks extra forestablishment if you
use unhulledseed. Under ideal conditionsday-time temperatures above
85°F andnight-time temperatures above 70°Fseeded bermudagrasses
require mow-ing in 2 to 3 weeks and may producestolons in as few as
4 weeks. Withproper irrigation and fertility, field usecould begin
in 2 months.
Bermudagrass is intolerant ofshade, and you should avoid usingit
in situations where significantshading occurs. For example,
sta-dium fields with multi-level seatingcan block enough sunlight
to thinand reduce the recuperative abilityof
bermudagrass.Zoysiagrass. Zoysiagrasses provide
several advantages overbermudagrass for athletic fields inZones
3 and 4. Zoysiagrass exhibitsthe best wear resistance of any
turf-grass available for athletic-field use.It is more tolerant of
irregular fertili-zation and mowing thanbermudagrass and also has
bettercold hardiness.
Even though zoysiagrass producestough, creeping rhizomes and
stolons,its recuperative potential is weak be-cause of its
relatively slow growth.Therefore, use intensity is an impor-tant
factor in determining whetherzoysiagrass will work well for
you.
Like bermudagrass, zoysiagrassundergoes winter dormancy. But
itis not as tolerant of the mechanicalthinning performed prior to
annualwinter overseeding with ryegrass.Another way to provide color
all yearin the transition zone is to seed Zoy-sia japonica in early
summer andthen follow up with an overseedingof turf-type tall
fescue in September.These two species can coexist peren-nially
because of their similar irriga-tion requirements, and they
providegood uniformity because of theirsimilar leaf textures.
Tailor your cul-tural practices to favor zoysiagrassin the summer
and tall fescue in the
6 SPORTS FIELD Jmanagement guide September 1999 7
winter. Wait 12 months from the zoy-sia seeding date before
allowing ac-tivity on fields established with thismixture.
Several species of zoysiagrass areavailable on the market as
seed, sod,plugs or sprigs. Emerald (a hybrid)and Zoysia tenuifolia
are unsuitablefor athletic fields because of theirslow spread.
Zoysia japonica, how-ever, is widely available and welladapted for
athletic fields. Use yourown criteria to decide which methodof
establishment is right for you. Sodis ready for use as soon as the
newroots sufficiently anchor the sod butis relatively expensive.
Seed andsprigs, though less costly, need a fullyear for
establishment before fielduse. Sprigs and plugs initially pro-duce
a bumpy, inconsistent playingsurface that requires heavytopdressing
to smooth. Therefore,establishing by sod or seed gener-ally means
less follow-up effort.
Zoysia requires soil temperaturesabove 70°F for germination, so
youshould plant seed only after all dan-ger of frost has passed.
Some turf-grass managers use clear, ventedpolyethylene tarps to
cover the seed-bed. This elevates soil temperaturesand conserves
moisture for improvedseed germination and establishment.Also,
zoysiagrass seeds have imper-meable seed coats. Communicatewith
your supplier to ensure the seedyou buy is scarified for quicker
ger-mination and establishment.
Set the mowing height ofzoysiagrass near 1 inch on
athleticfields. Greater mowing heights maycause puffiness and
susceptibility toscalping injury, particularly with thedenser
varieties such as Meyer.Zoysiagrass tends to accumulatethatch when
overfertilized. Controlthatch by topdressing regularly, pro-viding
good drainage and maintain-ing pH between 6 and 6.5.
Because your choice of turfgrass isone of the most economical
ways youcan control athletic field quality, donot cut corners when
specifyingturfgrasses. Turf containing a mix ofcomplementary
species or cultivars isyour best bet for long-term success.Base
your choices on the specific char-acteristics relevant to the
performanceof turf in your situation. SFMG
Dr. Eric Nelson is a Turfgrass Specialist at The Scotts Com-pany
(Marysville, Ohio).
-
At Last! From the company that has provided equipment for theilg
Industry for more than 25 years. Equipment built for the
demands of the Turf Care Professional.
the name you needto know for Turf Management
Low Profile 2 Ton Fertilizer Spreader
304 stainless steel hopper trough and baffleLow profileTerra
turf tiresHigh speed fansGround drive or PTO40-45 ft. spread
Low Profile 3 Ton Sand Spreader304 stainless steel hopper trough
and baffleLow profileTerra turf tiresGround drive or PTO1/8"-1/2"
thick sand spread30 ft. spread
Other Adams Turf ProductsEstate Spreader
Ste AL," HI/LOW Sissor Dump Trailer304 stainless steel bed3 cu.
yd. / 6200 lb payload12 V hydraulic pumping system withremote
control power cableTerra turf tires72" lift and dump height
t44.-.14
Call TOLL FREE 1-800-643-4266Mit cpagr website at
www.adamsestalszpreadamaorn
Email: adamseadamsfertequip.com FAX: (870) 946-4396
aclam5FERTILIZER EQUIPIVIENIT
Manufactured by INDUSTRIAL IRON WORKS, P.O. Box 628 Highway 1,
DeWitt, Arkansas 72042
:\ Circle 151 on free info card
-
ertilization:Maximizing performance of high-traffic turf
By John C. Stier, University of Wisconsin
By properly applying fertilizers, you can helpyour turf spring
back from the wear
and tear of heavy-use events.
Managing turf in high-traffic areas is diffi-cult because of the
ef-fects of traffic on soiland the turf itself. Thebest
management
programs use a combination of tech-niques, including proper
fertility man-agement, to provide conditions thatpromote rapid turf
recuperation. Ingeneral, managing high-traffic areasrequires more
frequent fertilization atlower rates than more typical turf ar-eas.
Nutrients must support a consis-tent growth rate that will allow
recov-ery from the effects of wear.
Effects of traffic on turfTraffic affects turf in two
primary
ways: soil compaction and directwear on the turfgrass
plants.
Compaction. Most compactionoccurs in the top 1 to 3 inches
ofsoil, where it decreases soil porespace. Consequently, less
oxygenand water is available to turfgrassroots. Compaction relates
to soiltype (clay soils compact more thansandy soils), moisture
level (wetsoils compact more easily than drysoils) and the type of
traffic. For ex-ample, an athlete running in cleatscan exert as
much as 145 pounds per
square inch (psi), while a personwalking in street shoes may
onlyapply 6 psi. By comparison, vehicleswith turf tires (smooth,
bald surfaces)generally only exert 4 to 7 psi.
As compaction increases, turfgrassroots are less able to grow
throughthe soil, so the bulk of root growthoccurs in the top few
inches. Rootsin this situation tend to grow shortand stubby and
possess fewer fineroot hairs, which are important formaximizing
water and nutrient ab-sorption. Thus, turfgrass plants be-come less
efficient at absorbing wa-ter and nutrients and require more
High-traffic turf, such as athletic fields, requires careful
attention to fertility to promote rapid recuperation from
injury.
8 SPORTS FIELDmanagement guide September 1999 9
-
ftESErivED GANI_SON SOCCER FIE_DS
NO PRACTI.`,i
Sometimes the best management strategy is to diverttraffic long
enough to allow turf to recuperate.
frequent watering and fertilizing thanturf in non-compacted soil
situations.As compaction increases, the uptakeof several key
nutrientsnitrogen(N), potassium (K), phosphorus (P)and
calciumdecreases. Uptake ofseveral micronutrients also can
de-creasenotably iron, magnesiumand manganese.
Direct wear. Traffic also causes di-rect wear on the turfgrass
plants.Turfgrass leaves are torn and crushedby all types of foot
and vehicular traf-fic. However, as long as the crowndoes not
experience severe damage,the grass plant can recover and grownew
leaves.
Problems develop when theturfgrass plant experiences repeatedand
continuous traffic that does notallow enough recuperative time
fornew leaves to grow and mature. Theplant eventually uses up its
storedcarbohydrates and dies. However, ifthe crown is damaged,
death is cer-tain no matter how long the recupera-tion time. If
traffic damages only afew plants in an area, surroundingplants
often grow larger and mask theinjury.
Fertilizer types and ratiosNitrogen is the key element for
turfgrass growth. Moderate levels ofN within the plant promote
the besttraffic tolerance. Excessive N levelsresult in soft,
succulent turf moreprone to tearing and being crushedby traffic.
High N also favors shootgrowth at the expense of root growth.This
can lead to decreased moistureand nutrient uptake and make theturf
more susceptible to drought andheat stress.
Low N levels slow turf's recupera-tion from traffic damage.
Therefore,
'6 in high-traffic situations, the total amount of N you
applyduring a growing season should be at or slightly above the
-5. upper end of the range typically recommended for the
turfspecies or cultivar (see "Annual nitrogen requirement...,"page
10).
The amount of N you should apply also depends on thesoil type
and on weather conditions. Football fields andother areas with
exceptionally high traffic, especially thoseon sandy soils, may
require up to 8 to 10 pounds of N per1,000 square feet per year,
depending on the turfgrass spe-cies. Cold or hot conditions cause
turf growth to slow, soturf requires less N during these times.
Turfgrass species orcultivars with faster growth rates require more
N than turftypes with slower growth rates.
Continued...
NOEL
All Your Top Dressing NeedsSimply Done.
Turfco's Mete-R-Matic III fills your top dressing needs in one
package.No engine or hydraulics. Simply attach to your tractor or
turf truck. Use afront loader to fill its large capacity hopper and
you're set for top dressing.It's got all the simplicity and
versatility you'll ever need.
>>> Top dress the way you want, from 1/64" to 1/4"
>>> Patented chevron belt spreads all material, wet or
dry
>>> Ground-driven for precise application regardless of
speed
>>> Large capacity hopper, six tires low 16 PSI
>>> Three-year warranty
Lte44pliatts .*
8
.
Originators Of The FirstPowered Top Dresser In 1961
1-800-679-8201 www.turfco.com Fax 612/785-0556
1 0Circle (152) on Reply Card
SPORTS FIELDSeptember 1999 management guide
9
-
m FERTILIZATION ON HIGH-TRAFFIC TURFLittle evidence exists that
one N
source is better than another for im-proving traffic tolerance
of turf. Theexceptions to this are slow-release,low-N (6 percent or
less) "organic"fertilizers, which do not release N atan adequate
rate; especially in cooltemperatures.
The most effective practice is touse fertilizers with moderately
quickto quick-release N sources. Applythem at low rates (0.25 to
0.50 poundN per 1,000 square feet) every 2 to 4weeks during the
most active peri-ods of growthspring and fall forcool-season turf
and late springthrough late summer on warm-seasonturf. Appropriate
N sources includeammonium sulfate, ammonium ni-trate and urea.
For cool-season turf, use a slow-release fertilizer such as
sulfur-coated urea (1 to 2 pounds of N per1,000 square feet) during
mid-sum-mer to minimize the potential of fo-liar burn on
unirrigated sites. Applythis about 2 weeks after the
finalquick-release-N application (early tomid-June) so that
additional N be-comes available as the turf uses up
the N from the quick-release appli-cation. Apply additional N
(quick-release) 6 to 8 weeks after the sulfur-coated urea. If heavy
traffic contin-ues throughout the summer, also ap-ply small amounts
(0.25 to 0.33pound of N per 1,000 square feet) ofquick-release N
every 3 to 4 weeksto promoteturfgrass re-covery.
Keep othernutrients atproper levelsbased on soiltests. Apply Kin
a 1:1 ratiowith N. A fertil-izer with a ra-tio of about 1-
environment, such as drought.Phosphorus levels usually are
suf-
ficient in most soils. Thus, any heavyapplication of P should be
on therecommendation of soil tests. Manyturf fertilizers contain
small amountsof P (for example, 18-3-18). Thesefertilizers can
benefit turf by provid-
ANNUAL NITROGEN REQUIREMENTOF COOL-SEASON TURFGRASS SPECIES
Turfgrass species Annual N requirement(per 1,000 square
feet)
Tall fescue 1 to 2 poundsFine fescue (creeping red, Chewings)t 2
pounds or lessRough bluegrass (Poa trivialis)t 2 to 4
poundsKentucky bluegrass 2 to 6 poundsPerennial ryegrass 2 to 6
poundsCreeping bentgrasst 4 to 8 pounds' Not recommended for
high-traffic areas due to low wear tolerance.
0-1 (for ex-ample, 15-0-15 or 18-0-15) is theeasiest way to
provide the proper N:Kratio. If your primary N fertilizer doesnot
contain sufficient K, use a K-only fertilizer such as muriate of
pot-ash or sulfate of potash. K probablyincreases traffic tolerance
indirectlyby increasing turfgrass tolerance tophysiological
stresses caused by the
ing some P to the plant when otherconditions (poor rooting due
to com-paction or soil immobilization) pre-vent the turf from
absorbing enoughP from the soil.
Fertilization timingFootball and soccer fields receive
Continued .
I .II
Peat ports WipingAt uper Prices
Light on your wallet low initial cost and long lifeGreat
striping from the shearing reel cut of a NationalSmooth, clean
cutting builds hardier, healthier turfEasier to sharpen and lower
operating costEasier to maintain than rotary riding mowerEasy rear
turning wheel for high maneuverability
Visit us online: www.nationalmower.comor call:
1-888-907-3463
WM,NAllONAL MOWER COMPANY
. . 700 Raymond Avenue St Paul, MN 55114Fax (651)646-2887 Email
sales@nationalmowencom
II
,77- -*4--
NATIONAL° is a Registered Trademark of National Mower
Company
Nothing makes sports turf look better than a National. The Best
Price. The Best Cutting.
Circle (153) on Reply Card
I 0 SPORTS FIELDmanagement guide September 1999
-
OTN Weather Center...on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
WEATHER
4WIT /WOLJIT o.
41*.
LJ
It's not a computer! The DTN Weather Centerincludes a small
one-meter satellite dish, receiver
and color monitor. (Dog not included.)
Just like a good watchdog, your DTN Weather Center willkeep you
alert to changes. This new satellite-deliveredtechnology shows
everything you need to know. Currentforecasts, high resolution
radar and local conditions...delivered to your office or worksite.
The cost is /ow...lessthan $3 a day. All with a no-hassle 30-day
money backguarantee. Over 100,000
THE WEATHER WATCHDOG!subscribers use DTN weather service.
Put the DTN Weather Watchdog to work at your place.
Questions? Phone us today at 1-800-610-0777
Circle 154 on free info card
12
L: in.Vitcsisitiisze It110 West Dodge Road Omaha, Nebraska
68114
-
II FERTILIZATION ON HIGH-TRAFFIC TURF .heavy use in the late
fall and earlyspring, when turf growth is minimal.To encourage turf
recuperation dur-ing these periods, fertilize a littlelater in the
fall and a little earlier inthe spring than in less-trafficked
ar-eas. The idea is to maintain a suffi-cient level of nutrients,
particularlyN, in the soil for the turf to use dur-
where the turf is actively growing,fertilizer applications
should supplyonly small amounts of N (0.12 to 0.25pound N per 1,000
square feet every2 to 3 weeks), in rapidly availableform. After
soil temperatures haverisen to 50°F or above, increase theamount of
fertilizer to 0.25 to 0.50pound N per 1,000 square feet every
2 to 4 weeks to supplya total of 0.5 to 1.0pound of N per
month.Sandy soils will re-quire two to threetimes more Nup to3
pounds per month.
As growth declineswith the onset of hotsummer
temperatures,decrease the amountof N by about half.Then, increase
ratesback to spring levelswith the onset ofcooler late-summerand
autumn tempera-
tures. Make the final application aslate in the growing season
as pos-sible to allow turf to recover duringthe final weeks of
traffic (mid Octo-ber through mid November).
Warm-season turfgrasses needfertilization beginning in the
spring
Poor species selection, overuse and improper fertiliza-tion can
result in poor turf quality.
ing any potential growth period,even if it's in late fall or
early spring.The downside to this approach isthat turf is more
subject to winterkillif it remains succulent during freez-ing
periods. To minimize the possi-bility of winterkill, irrigate only
asnecessary in mid to late autumn andensure adequate drainage
exists toprevent saturated conditions duringwinter thaws.
Cool-season turfgrasses may con-tinue growing, albeit at a slow
rate,until air temperatures are below 32°Fand the soil freezes. For
cool-seasonturfgrasses, make a dormant applica-tion of N in late
November or earlyDecember. This ensures sufficient Nwill be in the
soil in early springwhen it may be difficult to fertilizedue to
standing water or other con-ditions.
Fertilizer applications in the springshould begin when soil
temperatureswarm to about 50°F. If you didn'tmake a dormant N
application, or ifthe soil is sandy, you may need toapply
fertilizer earlier than this if traf-fic starts before temperatures
reach50°F. For soccer and other athleticturf, this may be as early
as mid tolate March depending on your cli-mate. Take care not to
promote toomuch growth or succulence. Duringthis period, turf is
especially suscep-tible to freeze/thaw damage. Untilsoil
temperatures rise to the point
12 SPORTS FIELDmanagement guide September 1999
RELATIVE WEAR TOLERANCEOF TURFGRASSES
Species Wear toleranceBermudagrass,zoysiagrass
Excellent
IPoor
Tall fescuePerennial ryegrassKentucky bluegrassFine fescue
BentgrassRough bluegrass
as the turfgrass emerges from winterdormancy. Apply P and other
nutri-ents according to soil-test recommen-dations based on the
turf species andsoil type. You can fine-tune N ratesaccording to
the weather. Areasoverseeded with cool-seasonturfgrasses during the
winter requirestarter fertilizer with a high P level(about 2 pounds
P per 1,000 squarefeet unless soil tests recommend adifferent
amount) to encourage rootgrowth. During establishment, youmay need
to re-route traffic.
Overseeding. Of the cool-seasonturfgrasses commonly used
foroverseeding, perennial ryegrass pro-
13
vides the best traffic tolerance. Afterryegrass is established,
apply 0.5 to1 pound N per 1,000 square feet permonth, preferably in
split applica-tions (0.25 to 0.50 pound N every 2weeks).
Combining other managementstrategies
You'll get the best results whenyou combine the right fertility
pro-gram with other practices that mini-mize or compensate for
traffic. Raisethe mowing height to provide bettertraffic tolerance
by protecting thecrowns and other tissues. If possible,raise the
height to the maximum rec-ommended for the species (for ex-ample,
2.5 inches for improved Ken-tucky bluegrass or 2 inches for
pe-rennial ryegrass). If this is not pos-sible, remember that
raising themowing height even 0.25 inch willimprove wear
tolerance.
Reduce compaction problems suchas poor drainage and shallow
rootingwith core aeration. Do this when theturf is actively
growingaerate cool-season species in the spring or fall
andwarm-season grasses during summer.
Ensure both surface and subsurfacedrainage are adequate to
preventstanding water and saturated soil. Ifsurface drainage is
inadequate, re-grade the area so that water drainsfrom the
surface.
Finally, because no turfgrass canrecuperate under constant heavy
traf-fic, you may need to divert traffic fora period to provide
some respite fromwear. If you need to overseed or rees-tablish the
turf, choose the most wear-tolerant species for your area (seetable
"Relative wear tolerance ofturfgrass species," below).
Generalized fertilitystrategy
No fertility program can preventturf loss in areas subjected to
exces-sively high traffic. Reseeding or re-sodding such areas will
occasionallybe necessary.
Always remember to water-in fer-tilizer immediately after
applicationto avoid fertilizer burn and removalfrom mowing. If
irrigation is notavailable, fertilize with quick-releaseN sources
while it's raining or shortlybefore an expected rain. SFPAG
lohn C. Stier is assistant professor of turfgrass science at
theUniversity of Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.).
-
_or
- ---""11111101.
las_
COMPACT SELF-POWERED VACUUM
Rotating Rubber Finger Pick-Up20 hp.,1-londe Engine Easy
Towing
Gomm INDUSTRIESP.O. Box 705 I Beatrice, NE 68310
TOLL FREE: 800-228-6542 IN NEBRASKA: 402-228-4226
FAX: 402-223-2245 WEBSITE: www.goossen.com
r
: ±,4
-17'4
LL- , e
COMPLETE VERSATILITY
One pasS aerating & clean ut) ,Variety of interchangeable
decks'Onef,pasS verticutting & clean up
:141,1111.1".
Asozs_
A1POWERFUL PACKAGE'
I1QO.CFW& 132RnFikja.413,13f0 Drive . 361' Diameter Fan
Circle155 on free'info catcp0. ,
. , .
-
ips for sports-turfmanagersBy Gil Landry, University of
Georgia
Aeration andtopdressing help solvecompaction problems,thus
improving turfquality and playersafety on your fields
ompaction can be aturf manager's night-mare, causing turfquality
to decline, re-ducing cushioning forplayers and increas-
ing susceptibility to turf pests.Aeration and topdressing are
good
bets to combat compaction.
Aeration and soil compactionAeration opens channels in the
soil
for better air and water movement. Italso increases pore space,
which soft-ens the soil.
Degree of soil compaction varies.Soils high in silt and clay
compactmore quickly than sandy soils; wetsoils compact more quickly
than drysoils.
Most soil compaction occurs withinthe top I to 3 inches of the
soil surfacefrom normal use but may result fromheavy equipment
traffic or repeatedaeration to the same depth.
Check for soil compaction by usinga soil probe, shovel, blunt
rod or screw-driver. Consider your aeration optionsbased on soil
hardness, weather, turf-growth cycles and field use.
Deep or shallow?Shallow aeration reaches into the top
3 or 4 inches of soil. Equipment using
14 SPORTS FIELDmanagement guide September 1999
,',°,,,k+.:2E'.'t"A 1Wak?"ItalTil.T4:41.7th
Aeration temporarily reduces turf quality but is one of the most
beneficial practicesfor long-term turf health.
solid spikes pokes holes in the soil, cre-ating openings without
removing soil.Equipment with hollow tines or spoonsremoves soil
cores and deposits themon the soil surface. In most cases, hol-low
tines or spoons are better. However,solid-tine equipment that
causes soillifting and vibrating can be quite ef-fective. Using any
equipment regularlyat the same depth can create a com-pacted layer.
Deep aeration extendsbelow the 4-inch level and helps im-prove both
surface and deep-soil prob-lems.
Ideally, aeration should reach thedepth of compaction yet cause
mini-mal surface disruption. Equipmentthat brings soil to the
surface is themost disruptive, but because it makesa greater change
in existing condi-tions, it can produce the mostlong-lasting
results.
15
Turf needs time to recover and grassroots need to regenerate and
spreaddeeper into the soil. Because spikingand slicing is less
disruptive to turfgrowth and appearance, you can use itmore often
than coring.
Consider using different types ofcultivation at different times.
Performthe more disruptive aeration beforemajor root-growth
periodssuch asspring and fall for cool-seasonturfgrasses and spring
for warm-sea-son turfgrasses. Shallow aeration be-fore deep
aeration should make bothmore effective.
Proper soil moisture enhances aera-tion effects. Soil that is
too wet or toodry is difficult to aerate effectively.Generally,
soil moisture should be atfield capacity when you aerate. For
vi-brating and shattering aerators, thesoil should be slightly
drier. Field ca-
-
rounds°Maintenance
and
American School & University.FACILMES PURCHASING
ANIIBUSiNISS AOMINISIMATION
Address editorial and advertising correspondence to
P.O. Box 12901, Overland Park, KS 66282-2901
(913) 341-1300
www.grounds-mag.comwww.asumag.comwww.intertec.com
Brian Agnes, Group Publisher
Dr. Mark S. Welterlen, Editor-in-Chief
Cindy Ratcliff, Senior Associate Editor
Jennifer Ray, Art Director
Dave Noland, National Sales Manager
Molly McKane, Marketing Manager
Candis Logue, Marketing Coordinator
Steve Wilton, Circulation Manager
Jennifer Shore, Adv. Prod. Coord.
(913) 967-1854; brian_agnes@interteacom
(913) 967-1758; martwelterlenantertec.com
(913) 967-1780; [email protected]
(913) 967-1793; [email protected]
(913) 967-1654; dave_nolanaintertec.com
(913) 967-1959; [email protected]
(913) 967-7214; candisjogueantertec.COM
(913) 967-1357; [email protected]
(913) 967-1926; [email protected]
Intertec Publishing Corp., A PRIMEDIA CompanyRaymond E. Maloney,
Chairman
Cam Bishop, President and CEO
Ron Wall, Chief Operating Officer
Bob Earley, Vice President, Electrical & Public Services
Divisions
Jack Morris, Vice President, Production Services
Nick Cavnar, Vice President, Circulation
Doug Coonrod, Corporate Creative Director
PRIMEDIA Business InformationCurtis A. Thompson, Group President
and CEO
PRIMEDIA Inc.William F. Reilly, Chairman and CEO
Charles McCurdy, President
Beverly C. Chell, Vice Chairman
Customer Service: (800)441-0294
Outside U.S.:(913)967-1707
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Central Standard Time
A member of
American Business Press
Business Publication Audit of Circulation
BPA
Photocopy rights: Authorization to photocopy items for internal
or personal use, or the internal or
person use ol specific croft, is granted by Interlec Publishing,
provided that the base fee of US $225 per
copy, plus $00.00 per page, is paid directly to Copyright
Clearance Center (CCC), 222 Rosewood Drive,
Demers, MA 01923 USA. The fee code for use of this Transactional
Reporting Service is ISSN 0017-4688/
1999 $225 + $00.00. For those organizations that have teen
granted a photocopying Ficense by CCC,
a separate system of paymit has been arranged. Prior to
photocopying items for educational classroom use,
please contact CCC at (978) 750-8403. Organizations or
individuals with large-guanfity photocopy/reprint
needs should contact Brian Agnes, (913) 341-133. Grounds
Mainterunce is avaible in paper/electronic
format frorn Information bpress, 3221 Porter Dr., Palo Alto, CA
943134-1225, (650) 494-8787,www.express.corn. For microform or
electronic database version, contact Bell & Howell Information
and
Learning, 300 N. Zeeb Rd., P.O. Box 1346, kin Arbor, MI
48106-1346, (800) 521-0600 or (734) 761-
4700 (outside North Arrerica). Check www.umi.com for additional
tonal availability.
'INTERTECPUBLISHINGA PRIMEOIA COMPANY
© 1999 by Intertec Publishing Corporation. All rights
reserved.
pacity generally exists 24 hours after a rain or irrigation.
TopdressingThe longer aeration hotes remain open, the longer
last-
ing the effect. Topdressing keeps the holes open.
Repeatedtopdressing over a long period, especially in conjunc-tion
with aeration, provides other benefits. Topdressingcan improve the
soil profile, protect turf seed and youngplants and the crowns of
existing turf, improve drainage,help decompose thatch and level
uneven surfaces.
It's best to match the texture of the topdressing mate-rial with
that of the existing soil to avoid layering.Topdressing with sand
is common. However, unless youhave a sand-based field, this may
actually worsen soilconditions, not improve them. In most cases,
the simplestapproach is to allow aeration soil cores to dry, then
dragthem back over the turf as the topdressing material.
Calibrate your spreaderInconsistencies in topdressing materials
or application
rates may worsen rather than improve soil conditions.To avoid
this, calculate the application rate precisely
and calibrate equipment carefully.Both aeration and topdressing
temporarily reduce turf
quality. However, fertilizing a week or two before culti-vation
can increase recovery rate. SIFMS
Dr. Gil Landry is an extension turfgrass specialist with the
University of Georgia (Griffin,Ga.). He is a past president of the
National Sports Turf Managers Association.
P1ritAirAir,mrcir ... with its patented planetary motion
and unique coring tine design, relievesthe hard pan effect. A
soil-relievingtine is also available that trulyaerates with no
cleanup.The 12 tines penetrate the earth to adepth of 4 inches with
a span of 48inches wide. The tractor's forwardspeed determines hole
spacing.making the PlanetAir highly produc-tive with low PTO
horsepower require-ment. Cleanup is minimal due to itspulverizing
capability.enfalt,.1/4
'lerrat..6
Deaner Inquiries InvitedManner/air Proxalluctm2305 9' Ave. SW
Austin. MN 55912Office Phone & Fax, 507-437-7796
or1-800-475-51346. ext. 04E-mail: planetar9smig.net
16 Circle (156) on Reply CardSPORTS FIELD
management guideSeptember 1999I 5
-
0
Puil-type & Hand-puShBroadcast Spreaders
INN N.- -
When you need turf equipment that willperform hke a champ, look
to GandyCompany. Professional grounds manag-ers and sports field
superintendents havebeen using Gandy equipment to make
sports areas championship ready since1936. Our team of turf
products is
manufactured to exacting stan-dards with Materials that standup
to weather and corrosion.They're tested on major sportsfields under
the toughestconditions imaginable.
The Gandy line of turf equip-ment includes core, knife and
spike'aerators, broadcast spreaders,drop spreaders, field
groomer, single and ganglawn rollers, dethatcher/overseeder,
SweepMaster® turf brush, and land measuring wheels.
Gandy. Ws a winning name you can trust.
A/
Pull-type & Hand-pushDrop Spreaders
te .
Core, Knife &Spike Aerators
-
(9/92)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONOffice of Educational Research and
improvement (OERI)
Educational Resources information Center (ERIC)
NOTICE
REPRODUCTION BASIS
ERIC
This document is covered by a signed "Reproduction
Release(Blanket)" form (on file within the ERIC system),
encompassing allor classes of documents from its source
organization and, therefore,does not require a "Specific Document"
Release form.
This document is Federally-funded, or carries its own permission
toreproduce, or is otherwise in the public domain and, therefore,
maybe reproduced by ERIC without a signed Reproduction Releaseform
(either "Specific Document" or "Blanket").