ISHS Acta Horticulturae 661: I International Conference on Turfgrass Management and Science for Sports Fields
TALL FESCUE TURF QUALITY AND SOCCER PLAYING CHARACTERISTICS AS AFFECTED BY MOWING HEIGHT |
| Authors: | N. Grossi, M. Volterrani, S. Magni, S. Miele |
| Keywords: | color, verdure, clipping yield, thatch, hardness, traction, rebound |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.661.41 |
| Abstract:
Among cool-season turfgrasses tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) exhibits the best adaptation to the Italian climate. Many turf type cultivars have been recently released and management practices consequently should be adapted. The purpose of the research was to evaluate, in a tall fescue turf, soccer playing characteristics and quality of recent cultivars maintained at low mowing height. The trial was carried out in Pisa (Italy) using ‘Arminda’ and ‘Safari’ cultivars that were mowed at 10, 15, 20 and 25 mm. Quality, color, ground cover, clipping yield, verdure, thatch thickness, shoot and leaf density and leaf texture were determinated. Ball rebound, traction, penetration resistance and hardness were also measured as playing quality parameters for soccer. Both cultivars showed an adaptation to low mowing height, which increased shoot density and promoted a finer leaf texture. Hardness and ball rebound were significantly affected by mowing heights, highest values being recorded for the lowest mowing heights. Nevertheless a good playing quality was measured for all the plots. The results of the present work showed that tall fescue, if maintained at low mowing height, can provide a dense and fine textured turf suitable for soccer fields. | |
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