Athletic Field Paint Impacts Light Spectral Quality and Turfgrass Photosynthesis

Abstract

Athletic field paints are applied to turf surfaces with little or no acute injury. However, field managers notice chronic declines in turfgrass health after repeated applications. This study examines athletic field paint impacts on spectral quality and associated turfgrass photosynthesis. Growth chamber experiments evaluated effects of red and white athletic field paint as well as one, two, three, and four repeated weekly applications on total canopy photosynthesis (TCP) of perennial ryegrass {Lolium perenne L.). Paint treatments were applied weekly for 6 wk with TCP recorded 24 h after each application using agasexchangesystem.Spectroradiometry experiments evaluated reflection, absorption, and transmission of light at various wavelengths based on paint color, dilution, and thickness. Over a six week period all treatments reduced TCP based on color (P < 0.0001) and dilution (P < 0.0001). Red no-dilution paint produced a 75% reduction in TCP over 6 wk while white 1:1 diluted paint only produced a 19% reduction. Spectroradiometry data suggests this is likely due to reductions in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) with red paint absorbing 51% of incident PAR while transmitting and reflecting 6 and 43%, respectively. White paint transmitted 5% of PAR while reflecting 95%. Alterations in light spectral quality resulting from athletic field paint applications can impact PAR, which may result in reduced turfgrass health.

Athletic Field Paint Color Impacts Transpiration and Canopy Temperature in Bermudagrass

“…These include reductions in TCP, stomatal obstruction by paint pigments, and increased temperatures (McCarty et al, 2014;Reynolds et al, 2012Reynolds et al, , 2013. Black and blue paint resulted in the highest increase in VPD while also having the lowest transpirational water loss within the same VPD range as in the nonpainted study, where VPD was shown not to be a limiting factor on transpiration.…”

“…Each of these could contribute to previously reported decreases in TCP and increases in canopy temperature in painted turfgrass canopies (Reynolds et al, 2012(Reynolds et al, , 2013. Given that paints are designed to entirely coat leaf surfaces, it is reasonable to suspect that gas exchange may be impeded by stomatal obstruction, potentially leading to carbon (C) starvation and reduced evaporative cooling.…”

“…The underlying basis for this decline has been linked to reductions in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) reaching the leaf surface due to absorption by paint pigments and is often color dependent (Reynolds et al, 2012(Reynolds et al, , 2013. While these products are specifically designed and labeled for use on athletic turf, repeated applications commonly result in declines in turfgrass quality, density, and performance.…”

The Effects of Athletic-Field Paint Color on Net Photosynthesis and Canopy Temperature of Overseeded Perennial Ryegrass

“…Darker paint pigments, such as black, blue, and purple, reduced NP, probably due to significantly reduced absorption of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Similarly, white also reduced NP, probably due to reflection of PAR (Reynolds et al, 2012). In both seasons, red had higher NP due to a smaller reduction in absorption in PAR compared with other colors.…”

“…A thletic‐field managers routinely paint playing surfaces for proper marking and aesthetics. Commonly, latex, water‐based paints specifically manufactured for turfgrass application are diluted at variable ratios with water before application (Reynolds et al, 2012). In the transition zone, bermudagrasses ( Cynodon spp.)…”