Soil water content (SWC) influences the consistency and performance of athletic field surfaces. Two studies were conducted at the University of Tennessee Center for Athletic Field Safety, Knoxville, TN, to determine how SWC affects wear tolerance of hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt‐Davy, ‘Tifway’] on root zones composed of either silt loam (cohesive) or sand meeting US Golf Association specifications (noncohesive). Soil water content treatments for cohesive root zones averaged low (0.06–0.13 m3 m−3), medium (0.14–0.21 m3 m−3), medium‐high (0.22–0.29 m3 m−3), and high (0.30–0.37 m3 m−3); comparatively, SWC on noncohesive averaged low (0.05–0.11 m3 m−3), medium (0.12–0.19 m3 m−3), and high (0.20–0.27 m3 m−3). Differences in the amount of ranges between root zones were due to plant available water of the soil texture. Plots were subjected to 50 traffic events for 5 wk each fall over a 2‐yr period. Green turfgrass cover was reduced four times faster at high SWC than the low and medium SWC treatments on cohesive soil. All SWC treatments on noncohesive soil lost green turfgrass cover at a predictable rate. Surface hardness increased as SWC decreased for both root zones. Turfgrass shear strength decreased with traffic for all treatments on cohesive soils. Soil water content of noncohesive soils did not compound the effect of traffic on turfgrass shear strength. The optimal mean SWC ranges to maximize hybrid bermudagrass wear tolerance on cohesive soils were low to medium, and low to medium on noncohesive soils.
The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of brushing and infill maintenance of third generation (3G) synthetic turf on field safety. A split-plot randomized complete block design was used with six different fiber pile heights, infill depths, and shock pad combinations subjected to 120 games in the summer of 2017 at the Center for Athletic Field Safety (CAFS) in Knoxville, TN, USA. Traffic was applied with a CAFS traffic simulator. Half of the plots received maintenance every 20 games with a rotating power broom and infill applied to those below manufacturer’s recommendations. All 3G synthetic turf systems required maintenance to the same degree, and maintenance was necessary to keep surface hardness of 3G synthetic turf systems consistent and acceptable. Overall, field safety and consistency increased in this study due to maintenance, thus suggesting brushing and infill maintenance plays a vital role in maintaining high performance on 3G synthetic fields.
Core Ideas Limited impact of lower clip of the reel is noticed in bentgrass green quality and color. Double cutting and lower clip of the reel does not always lower green speeds. Lower clip of the reel picks up more sands than higher clip of the reel.
In the fall, bermudagrass athletic fields are overseeded with perennial ryegrass [Lolium perenne L.] to provide a uniform playing surface to slowed or dormant bermudagrass. Chemical techniques have been utilized for quick and efficient spring transition of perennial ryegrass. Fraise mowing has been identified as a tool that can aid in ryegrass transition in the spring. These studies were to determine the effectiveness of spring transition comparing mechanical removal of perennial ryegrass overseeding to traditional techniques on 'Riviera' bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]. In 2017, field studies were conducted at the University of Tennessee Center for Athletic Field Safety (Knoxville, TN) and the Oklahoma State University Turfgrass Research Center (Stillwater, OK). The seven treatments for the study were: fraise mow at 6.4 mm from the grass surface, fraise mow at 12.7 mm from the grass surface, fraise mow at 19.1 mm from the grass surface, spray application of trifloxysulfuron at the 27.8 g ha −1 with non-ionic surfactant at 0.25% v/v, spray application of foramsulfuron at the 28.9 g ha −1 , scalping (19.1 mm) with a rotatory mower, and an untreated control. Treatments were initiated on 11 May 2017 in Stillwater, OK USA and 17 May 2017 in Knoxville, TN USA. Plots were monitored for six weeks following treatment application. Fraise mowing at 12.7 mm was identified as the optimum depth for perennial ryegrass transitioning in this study compared to chemical transitions. This study found that the fraise mowing at 12.7 mm removed more perennial ryegrass and maintained percent green turfgrass cover throughout the study. However, if time of use for the turfgrass area is not a primary concern then depths greater than 12.7 mm are effective at perennial ryegrass removal but delay spring green-up.
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