ISHS Acta Horticulturae 661: I International Conference on Turfgrass Management and Science for Sports Fields
GROUND COVER AND BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF A SOCCER PITCH DURING THREE YEARS |
| Authors: | C.F. Cereti, F. Rossini, G. Stancanelli |
| Keywords: | Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis, botanical index, geostatistic, kriging |
| Abstract:
Turfgrasses are frequently used to cover soccer pitches. These grasses are subjected to wear and traffic stresses, and recover from their damages slowly. Turf quality of soccer pitches can be improved by several management practices. The objective of this study was to determine turf coverage in a university soccer field before and after the adoption of intensive cultural practices. Changes in turf coverage were determined by the botanical composition index and elaborated as the percentage of bare soil, Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis and Trifolium spp. It was found that L. perenne and P. pratensis reacted positively to the management practices that enhanced soil coverage and the competitive ability against undesirable weeds, especially clover spots. Geostatistical analysis methods confirmed the effect of the cultural practices used to increase turf cover also in the heavily trafficked areas of the sport field. | |
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