There is no substitute for adequate irrigation of athletic fields. Irrigation should be the number one priority when upgrading playing surfaces. Benefits from turfgrass selection and management will only be realized when irrigation is available.
The next line of defense against compacted fields is a healthy mat of actively growing turf that will prevent hard and unsafe conditions. Select traffic-tolerant cultivars when you are establishing or renovating the playing field. Cultivars that wear down slower and recover faster will make turf maintenance practices such as coring and fertilizing more successful. Choosing the right grass will protect the field from the players and also will safeguard the players from a slick, muddy and often rock-hard playing surface.
The cultivars listed in Table 1 were ranked according to either quality or wear tolerance, or both, as determined in the National Turgrass Evaluation Program.
Many of the athletic fields in Missouri are unirrigated and a misconception has developed that a drought-tolerant species like tall fescue can provide an acceptable playing surface without irrigation. Tall fescue is a bunch grass that will result in a clumpy, uneven surface when it is left unirrigated and mowed at heights necessary for sports activities. Turf-type tall fescues can be mixed with 5 to 10 percent Kentucky bluegrass to produce a smoother playing surface.
Seeding rates can vary according to field conditions. Normal seeding rates are used under ideal conditions, such as a proper seedbed, adequate watering and a one-year growing period without traffic. Higher seeding rates typically are used when quick cover is needed and the fields will be put in use while the turf is still immature (Table 2).
Slit or drill seeding is preferred for renovating sports fields, because germination is improved and the crowns of seedlings are somewhat protected from traffic. Broadcast seeding in combination with coring, slicing and topdressing is also an acceptable practice for renovating worn fields. Seed that is broadcast and not firmly planted below the surface may be able to establish, but the seedlings are easily dislodged and will quickly decline when they are exposed to athletic traffic.
Mature stands of the top-performing grasses, combined with irrigation, proper turf maintenance and traffic control, result in safer and more attractive playing surfaces.
The list of cultivars in this publication is not meant to be all-inclusive. Cultivars other than those listed may also be suitable for use in Missouri.
Table 1
Turf cultivars selected for athletic fields.
Kentucky bluegrass | |
---|---|
Excellent: | Abbey Asset A-34 Blackstone BlueStar Challenger Chateau Coventry Fairfax Glade Julia Livingston Marquis Midnight Moonlight Nuglade Preakness Quantum Leap Unique |
Good: | America Argyle Bartitia Blacksburg Boutique Brilliant Bristol Brooklawn Classic Denim Freedom Huntsville Langara Limousine Nassau North Star Nublue Nustar Rugby II |
Fair: | Able I Baron Barzan Georgetown Gnome Haga Kelly Liberty Merit Princeton Ram-1 Victa |
Tall fescue | |
Excellent: | Apache II Austin Barlexas II Bonanza Chieftan II Crossfire II Finelawn 88 Finelawn Petite Guardian Jaguar II Jaguar III Masterpiece Millenium Pixie Plantation Rebel Jr. Rebel III Rembrandt Shenandoah SR 8200 Tomahawk Trailblazer II Vegas |
Good: | Bonanza II Bonsai 2000 Cochise Coronado Gold Endeavor Falcon III Grande Houndog V Legend Olympic Gold Phoenix SR 8300 Tarheel Titan 2 Watchdog Wolfpack |
Fair: | Adventure II Avanti Ky-31 Monarch Rebel 3D Safari Southern Choice |
Perennial ryegrass | |
Excellent: | APM Brightstar II Calypso II Catalina Citation III Imagine Omni Pennant II Prelude III Riviera II Saturn II Secretariat SR 4100 SR 4200 |
Good: | Allaire II Blackhawk Charger II Cowboy II Derby Supreme Manhattan 3 Morning Star Omega 2 Palmer III Paragon Pizzaz Precision Repell II Rodeo II Yorktown III |
Fair: | Advantage Cutter Quickstart Saturn |
Table 2
Normal and high seeding rates for various turfgrasses and turfgrass mixes used in athletic fields.
Normal seeding rate "ideal conditions" |
High seeding rate "quick cover" |
|
---|---|---|
Kentucky bluegrass | 1.5 to 2.0 pounds per 1,000 square feet | 2.5 to 3.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet |
Perennial ryegrass | 6 to 9 pounds per 1,000 square feet | 10 to 15 pounds per 1,000 square feet |
Tall fescue | 6 to 9 pounds per 1,000 square feet | 10 to 15 pounds per 1,000 square feet |
80 percent Kentucky bluegrass 20 percent Perennial ryegrass |
2 to 2.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet | 3 to 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet |
90 percent Tall fescue 10 percent Kentucky bluegrass |
6 to 9 pounds per 1,000 square feet | 10 to 15 pounds per 1,000 square feet |