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

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INTERTEV PRIMEEIIA Pub cation

Table of ContentsTurfgrass choices forathletic fields 2

Fertilization: Maximizingperformance of high-traffic turf 8

Tips for sports-turfmanagers 12

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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...

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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).

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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...

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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

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I 0 SPORTS FIELDmanagement guide September 1999

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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.).

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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

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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.

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management guideSeptember 1999I 5

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