ISHS Acta Horticulturae 661: I International Conference on Turfgrass Management and Science for Sports Fields
THE EFFECTS OF WEAR ON THREE SOILS AND TWO TURFGRASS MIXTURES FOR SOCCER GROUNDS |
| Authors: | A. Reyneri, G. Bruno |
| Keywords: | Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis, tiller density, hydraulic conductivity, root depth |
| Abstract:
Wear and soil compaction are two factors that can influence the quality of sport grounds. Construction factors such as drainage, sand-based root-zone mixes, or grass mixtures may reduce wear damage. The degree to which wear damage is reduced depends on the type of construction system installed, the season, and traffic intensity. This research was conducted in the Piedmont plain of Northern Italy. The objective was to characterize the effects of wear on three soil systems (an all-sand USGA system; a simplified all-sand system; and a sandy loam soil) on a Lolium perenne and Poa pratensis mixture. Wear was applied by a device with two studded (14 mm studs) rollers plus one flat roller. During September-June, three wear treatments were applied (no wear; lenient wear; and intense wear). Soil hydraulic conductivity, root depth, tiller density, grass cover and species composition were measured in 2000-2003. On the sandy loam soil, the intense wear treatment reduced hydraulic conductivity 48% compared to no wear, while on the sand systems, hydraulic conductivity was always higher than on sandy loam soil. In winter, tiller density was reduced by 20% for lenient wear and 40% for intense wear. Even under severe wear, much of the turf recovered during the summer. | |
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