Turf Systems Research Articles

Effect of mowing timing and clipping collection practices on azoxystrobin distribution, persistence, and efficacy

AbstractPrevious research suggests mowing practices following azoxystrobin application alter pest control and residue fate. Azoxystrobin, an acropetal penetrant quinone outside inhibitor fungicide, is commonly applied in turfgrass and other agricultural settings, protecting desired plants from fungal pathogens by inhibiting fungal growth. Field research was initiated in Raleigh, NC, and repeated in time to assess the effect of post‐application mowing timing and clipping collection practices on azoxystrobin residue persistence in tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus Schreb.). At trial initiation, azoxystrobin was applied at the maximum single application rate (0.61 kg ai ha−1) to tall fescue plots. To determine the effect of initial mowing timing, plots were mowed (9.5 cm) at 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, or 14 days after application (DAA). To determine the effect of clipping removal, plots were mowed at 3, 10, and 17 DAA and clippings were either returned to the canopy or bagged and removed. Concurrently, soil cores (92 cm2) were collected at 3, 7, 14, and 21 DAA and then segmented into remaining aboveground vegetation and soil (0.0‐ to 2.5‐cm depth) for residue analyses. Mowing timing affected azoxystrobin residue in the vegetation and in soil. When clippings were returned to the canopy, 5% more azoxystrobin was detected in the vegetation at 7 and 14 DAA. At 3 and 7 DAA, in the soil, returning clippings resulted in >3% more of the applied azoxystrobin compared to removing clippings. Data from this research may allow for extended fungicide intervals for brown patch suppression and demonstrate the importance of returning clipping to turf systems to retain azoxystrobin residues.

Climate adaptive solution for artificial turf in cities: integrated rainwater storage and evaporative cooling

The number of artificial turf fields in cities has increased due to increased pressure on outside sport facilities caused by a higher population density. Downsides of these fields are changes in thermal conditions and decreased infiltration of rain. Artificial turf can reach very high surface temperatures leading to unfavourable playing conditions and contributing to the urban heat island effect. In this study the possibilities of a subsurface water storage and capillary irrigation system for evaporative cooling of artificial turf based on rainwater capture, storage and reuse are investigated. The system consists of an 85 mm water-retention subbase with capillary columns, a capillary shockpad and a natural infill. First, a laboratory experiment was conducted to test the evaporative potential of the system with different types of infill and artificial turf. Next, four research plots were designed in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, which consisted of natural grass, conventional artificial turf and two versions of the cooled artificial turf system (non-infill and standard). Evaporation from the cooled artificial turf reached maximum values around 4 mm/d during summer and surface temperatures were significantly lower than at the conventional artificial turf. Rainwater was stored below the fields. By combining these functions, these fields can help cities adapt to climate change.

Dissipation of spring-applied methiozolin in turfgrass systems

AbstractMethiozolin is applied five or more times per year to control annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) in cool, temperate areas, but high market demand in the southern United States and recent registration in Australia has expanded the product’s use in variable climates. To better design weed control programs for variable turf types, more information is needed to characterize methiozolin dissipation in different turf systems. Methiozolin was applied biweekly three times to a Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) lawn and adjacent bare soil in New Jersey and on 12 hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt Davy] putting greens in Virginia. Soil samples were collected immediately following each application and biweekly for 12 additional weeks. Methiozolin was extracted from each soil sample and analyzed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Methiozolin was detected only within the top 2 cm of the soil (including verdure), but not below 2 cm, demonstrating its limited vertical mobility. Dissipation was significantly faster in turf-covered soil compared with bare soil. The time required for 50% methiozolin dissipation was 13 and 3.5 d in bare soil and turf-covered soil, respectively. In Virginia, methiozolin dissipation in the 1-m span of three sequential applications differed between years. Methiozolin concentration immediately following the third biweekly application to C. dactylon ×transvaalensis greens was approximately 105% and 180% of the concentration immediately following the initial application, in 2021 and 2022, respectively. This difference in methiozolin accumulation following three applications was attributed to differential C. dactylon ×transvaalensis green up during methiozolin treatments each year. Despite differences in posttreatment methiozolin concentration between years, the temporal dissipation rate later into the summer was consistent. Following the final application on C. dactylon ×transvaalensis greens, methiozolin dissipated 50% and 90% in 14 and 46 d, respectively. These data suggest that methiozolin dissipates more rapidly in turfgrass systems than in bare soil.

Erosion protection at mining sites using a concrete-enhanced synthetic turf system

Many mining sites are facing water erosion challenges due to changing weather patterns and more frequent extreme weather conditions. A concrete-reinforced engineered turf system has been developed for erosion protection and used in mining applications recently. This system consists of an impermeable geomembrane that does not allow the stormwater runoff to be in contact with the subgrade and hence, eliminating potential erosion of subgrade. This presentation provides an overview of conventional erosion protection methods and the concrete-reinforced engineered turf system, followed by an evaluation of the hydraulic performance of the concrete-reinforced engineered turf system, including the steady state overtopping flume testing, heavy debris load testing, and intentional damage testing. Case studies are provided to demonstrate installation and field performance of the erosion protection system for stormwater channels, downchutes, spillways, and slopes at mining sites.

Doğal çim yüzeyli futbol sahalarının hibrit halı tabanlı yöntem ile yenilenmesi: Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadı örneği

Since the playability and performance of hybrid turf pitches reflect natural grass pitch standards, they have been used in Europe for more than 20 years and have been frequently preferred in Turkey recently. Although hybrid turf systems are installed on football fields by various methods, the most popular one is the carpet-based hybrid method. These types of fields can be built from scratch or by renewing natural grass fields. When renovating natural grass fields, it should be considered that the processes and applications have a complex structure and the works should be carried out within a certain system. In this study, the renovation of the playing surface of the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, which is expected to host the UEFA Champions League Final in 2020, from natural grass to carpet-based hybrid grass has been examined. All renovation works were meticulously observed on site and the experiences gained were tried to be conveyed. In this way, it is aimed that the study will serve as a guide for future renovation work. Due to the complex nature of the renovation process, it is important to have the necessary knowledge when carrying out these operations. Since the renovation of these areas is expensive, it is important to ensure the necessary conditions are provided. The correct materials, essential technical equipment, and skilled personnel must be provided for the operations to be carried out, and measures must be taken to prevent any potential problems that may arise during the renovation phase.

The thermal interactions of commonly artificial sports turf systems with the immediate environment

The thermal interactions of commonly artificial sports turf systems with the immediate environment

Management policies impact fishers’ income beyond tolerable limits: The case of the Chilean TURFs in Central Chile

Fish trade worldwide seeks sustainable fishery production which right-based-fisheries should provide. However, fisheries managed in TURF system (Territorial Use Rights for Fisheries), as occurs for loco (Concholepas concholepas) and kelp fisheries in central Chile, can turn out to be highly fluctuating. This can pose a challenge to fisher’s livelihood depending on the income variability this type of management produces. This work analyzes temporal variations of loco and kelp abundances and landings at increasing spatial scales, investigating which would be a TURF size that could dampen the influence of natural variations on fishers’ income enough for it to be tolerable. We analyzed loco and kelp abundance and landings data from hard bottom TURFs in Atacama (n = 22) and Coquimbo (n = 61) regions of Central Chile, which represent 81.4% of the total TURFs in these regions. Income variations less than 39% were considered tolerable, according to a study conducted by the National Consumer Service, where 61% of a person’s salary is necessary to cover essential needs in Chilean family. Loco and kelp landings variations exceeded that criterion at all analyzed spatial scales, suggesting that they cannot rely solely on those fisheries within a TURF. Even increasing the size of TURF including the coast of an entire region, does not dampen variability to a tolerable value. This explains the reason for former fisher migrations within these fisheries, something present regulations prevent, generating a complex situation which is necessary to revise in order not to maintain an incentive to side step regulations.

Construction of multi-layer geosynthetic containment systems to mitigate groundwater contamination

This paper presents the construction of multi-layer geosynthetic containment systems as part of improvements to a stormwater management system to mitigate groundwater contamination at a coal combustion residual landfill in southeastern USA. The improvements consisted of lining the perimeter ditch and sedimentation pond to contain ash sediments and minimize infiltration into the groundwater. A composite liner comprised of HydroTurf synthetic turf system (i.e., a 1.5-mm thick high-density polyethylene (HDPE) textured geomembrane overlain by a synthetic turf that is covered with an infill/ballast material) underlain by a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) was selected for the perimeter ditch. For the sedimentation pond, a 150-mm thick reinforced concrete layer underlain by a 1.5-mm thick HDPE textured geomembrane-GCL composite liner was selected to facilitate cleaning of the pond. The selection, construction, and lessons learned of the multi-layer geosynthetic containment systems are discussed.

Probability Distribution of Soil Suction of Engineered Turf Cover and Compacted Clay Cover

It is unlikely to predict the distribution of soil suction in the field deterministically. It is well established that there are various sources of uncertainty in the measurement of matric suction, and the suction measurements in the field are even more critical because of the heterogeneities in the field conditions. Hence it becomes necessary to probabilistically characterize the suction in the field for enhanced reliability. The objective of this study was to conduct a probabilistic analysis of measured soil suction of two different test landfill covers, compacted clay cover (CC) and engineered turf cover (ETC), under similar meteorological events. The size of the two test landfill covers was 3 m × 3 m (10 ft. × 10 ft.) and 1.2 m (4ft.) in depth. The covers were constructed by excavating the existing subgrade, placing 6-mil plastic sheets, and backfilling the excavated soil, followed by layered compaction. Then the covers were instrumented identically with soil water potential sensors up to specified depths. One of the covers acted as the CC, and the other cover was ETC. In ETC, engineered turf was laid over the compacted soil. The engineered turf consisted of a structured LLDPE geomembrane overlain by synthetic turf (polyethylene fibers tufted through a double layer of woven polypropylene geotextiles). The sensors were connected to an automated data logging system and the collected data were probabilistically analyzed using the R program. There were significant inconsistencies in the descriptive statistical parameters of the measured soil suction at both covers under the same climatic conditions. Soil suction measured in the field ranged between almost 12 to 44 kPa in ETC, while it was in the range of almost 1 to 2020 kPa in the CC. The histogram and quantile-quantile (Q-Q) plot showed the data to be non-normally distributed in the field. A heavy-tailed leptokurtic (Kurtosis=13) distribution of suction was observed in the ETC with substantial outliers. In contrast, the suction distribution in CC was observed skewed to the right containing a thinner tail indicating an almost platykurtic distribution. The distribution of suction in the field under engineered turf was observed to be reasonably consistent with time compared to bare soil under the same meteorological events. The results obtained from this study revealed the engineered turf system to be an effective barrier to inducing changes in soil suction against climatic events.

An experimental analysis of component contributions to shock absorption performance in third generation sport artificial turf

The increasing use of artificial turf across all levels of sports play has been hypothesized to contribute to an increase in athlete injuries. Current testing standards evaluate the shock absorbing performance of artificial turf surfaces through a single measure of acceleration after a drop test impact. However, these standards focus on the performance of the aggregate turf system, thereby neglecting the component-level contributions of the shock pad, carpet, and infill constituents. The purpose of this study was to explore a novel testing methodology that has the potential to isolate first-order and second-order contributions of components to total system performance. Various subsystems of the traditional, three layer artificial turf were treated as energy absorbing surfaces. A series of no-fatigue and fatigue tests were performed using a custom-built apparatus to characterize each energy absorbing surface at five different drop heights. During no-fatigue testing, it was found that the complete three-layer system outperformed all subsystems by mitigating resultant acceleration and force compared to the baseline. However, any energy absorbing subsystem that contained rubber infill outperformed any subsystem that included shock pad, the designated energy dissipating layer in third generation artificial turf. For fatigue testing, it was observed that energy absorbing surfaces began to deteriorate in as few as 20 impacts. In comparison to existing standards, the inclusion of a second data acquisition instrument yielded more accurate calculations of shock absorption. By capturing an input and output measurement during the impact, calculation of the surface’s characteristic transfer function is attainable and therefore, more information in gleaned from the impact test. Additional research is required to be able to deploy this testing methodology on-site, with fully installed artificial turf systems.

Herbicide-Resistance in Turf Systems: Insights and Options for Managing Complexity

Due to complex interactions between social and ecological systems, herbicide resistance has classic features of a “wicked problem”. Herbicide-resistant (HR) Poa annua poses a risk to sustainably managing U.S. turfgrass systems, but there is scant knowledge to guide its management. Six focus groups were conducted throughout the United States to gain understanding of socio-economic barriers to adopting herbicide-resistance management practices. Professionals from major turfgrass sectors (golf courses, sports fields, lawn care, and seed/sod production) were recruited as focus-group participants. Discussions emphasized challenges of the weed management of turfgrass systems as compared to agronomic crops. This included greater time constraints for managing weeds and more limited chemical control options. Lack of understanding about the proper use of compounds with different modes of action was identified as a threat to sustainable weed management. There were significant regional differences in perceptions of the existence, geographic scope, and social and ecological causes of HR in managing Poa annua. Effective resistance management will require tailoring chemical and non-chemical practices to the specific conditions of different turfgrass sectors and regions. Some participants thought it would be helpful to have multi-year resistance management programs that are both sector- and species-specific.

Rotational traction of soccer football shoes on a hybrid reinforced turf system and natural grass

Traction between a football shoe and the playing surface influences a players’ ability to perform football-specific movements. Too little traction means a player might slip. Too much traction is thought to increase the risk of injury due to foot fixation on the turf. Rotational traction is linked to increased injury risk in football. Elite football is increasingly played on hybrid reinforced natural grass playing surfaces. Our aim is to assess the magnitude of rotational traction of one new hybrid turf system and compare that to a natural grass (control) surface. Nine different Football shoes from three outsole groups (artificial grass, firm ground, soft ground) were loaded onto a portable shoe-surface traction machine to collect rotational traction data on two different playing surfaces (1. Natural Rye grass, 2. A hybrid reinforced turf system) at a single testing session. Peak rotational traction was significantly different across different shoe models (F = 379.8, df = 8, p < 0.0001) and shoe outsole groups (F = 387.4, df = 2, p < .0001). No significant difference was found between the natural grass surface and the hybrid reinforced turf system after considering the minimal detectable change (MDC) of the traction device. Wide-ranging differences in peak rotational traction were found across different individual soccer shoes and outsole groups. The Adidas Nemesis (AG) showed the lowest traction and the Nike Vision (SG) shoe had the highest traction (MD 28.7 N.m; 95% CIs 26.4–30.9; p < 0.0001). The artificial grass (AG) group showed the lowest traction values while the soft ground (SG) group the highest. This objective shoe-surface traction data can help with more informed footwear choices for football played on this type of hybrid playing surface to minimize the risk of lower extremity injury.

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) culm and inflorescence density in lawns: Effects of nitrogen fertilization and scalping timing and height

AbstractDuring late spring and early summer, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) produces reproductive structures (i.e., culm and inflorescence), that decrease turf quality due to stemminess (i.e., culm remaining) after mowing. Research is required to understand the impact of management practices on visible culm and inflorescence presence. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate perennial ryegrass culm, inflorescence, and turf canopy responses due to various nitrogen (N) fertilization levels, scalping timings and heights. In Experiment 1, N fertilization rates ≥24 kg N ha−1 applied in early May with a slow‐release fertilizer prior to peak flowering (i.e., late May to early June) visibly decreased culms and inflorescences compared with 0 and 12 kg N ha−1. Higher N fertilizer levels, especially 98 kg N ha−1, also resulted in fewer necrotic culms remaining later in the summer along with greater overall turf quality and reduced weed cover. In Experiment 2, scalping perennial ryegrass at 3.8 or 5.1 cm on 25 May, the closest proximity prior to peak flowering, provided the lowest area under the curve (AUC) of green flowering culms. Scalping during or after peak flowering resulted in similar AUC values compared with nonscalped (7.6 cm) turf but did decrease the presence of necrotic culms later in summer to help improve turf quality. Overall, N fertility with a slow‐release fertilizer or a well‐timed scalping influences spring culm and inflorescence density and necrotic culm stemminess in perennial ryegrass turf systems. Additional research on physiological responses, such as carbohydrate partitioning, to these management practices is required.

Synthetic Turfgrass and the Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™

Synthetic turf is a manufactured product that utilizes synthetic fibers that mimic the aesthetic look of natural grass. While designed to imitate the look of natural turf, synthetic turf does not provide the ecosystem benefits of a natural turf system. This publication examines the properties of synthetic turf in relation to each of FFL’s nine principles. A new publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department; 4 pages.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep612

Exploring Natural Alternatives for Annual Bluegrass Control

A field experiment was conducted to identify and examine the effectiveness of potential non-traditional chemical products and alternatives for controlling annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.), a plant with increasing herbicide resistant problems. In managed turf systems annual bluegrass can be a difficult winter annual weed to control having negative impacts on turfgrass quality. This study included 12 different treatments [untreated check, baking soda, white vinegar + lemon juice, Suppress herbicide, superphosphate (0-20-0), clove oil, Weed Zap, Avenger Weed Killer, Fiesta Turf Weed Killer, Ecologic Weed &amp; Grass Killer, Alcohol (43% ethanol), and Pool Time Algicide] applied to a TifEagle bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × C. traansvalensis) putting green where a natural infestation of annual bluegrass was present. Treatments were assessed visually for annual bluegrass control and turf phytotoxicity 1, 2, and 4 weeks after application. Overall, no treatment provided long-term control which was non-selective. Control was short-lived with annual bluegrass recovery beginning approximately two weeks after applying treatments. Greatest Poa burndown (~85%) was temporarily (1 to 2 weeks after application) with a combination of caprylic and capric acids (Suppress Herbicide) and a combination of clove oil and dishwashing detergent but plants fully recovered by three weeks after application. These products also produced similar temporary turf phytotoxicity. Bermudagrass turf phytotoxicity from selective treatments was most evident one week after applying treatments and turf had mostly fully recovered by four weeks after treatment. Suitable alternatives were not identified from products tested.

An evaluation of mat hybrid turfgrass systems under simulated traffic

AbstractThe addition of synthetic fibers to natural grass athletic fields forms a hybrid turf system, and this system claims to increase traffic tolerance and playability. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the physical effects of simulated traffic on two hybrid, carpet‐based mat systems (Eclipse and Hero) with Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), compared to a non‐hybrid control (100% Kentucky bluegrass). Field research was conducted in 2018 at Michigan State University (MSU), Iowa State University (ISU) and the University of Tennessee (UT) to evaluate the percent green cover, surface hardness, and shear resistance under 25 simulated traffic events (STE). Percent green cover across all treatments was reduced after 25 STE. After 25 STE the hybrid systems had greater percent green cover (Eclipse 49% and Hero 48%) than the non‐hybrid control (33%) at the ISU location. Surface hardness values differed between treatments on many rating dates. The hybrid systems reported higher surface hardness values, but these values were never above 100 Gmax. These results indicate that the Eclipse and Hero systems can offer a safe and stable surface even if turfgrass cover is reduced.

Impact of stitched hybrid systems in hybrid bermudagrass athletic fields

AbstractThe use of hybrid turf systems is very common in Europe and is increasing in popularity in the United States. Little research was found on the impact of stitched hybrid systems on hybrid bermudagrass ‘NorthBridge’ (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. Transvaalensis Burtt Davy) athletic fields. A study was conducted to determine the impact of stitched hybrid systems on hybrid bermudagrass performance at the University of Tennessee Center for Athletic Field Safety in Knoxville, TN USA in the fall of 2018 and 2019. A randomized complete block design with four replications was utilized. The study treatments consisted of synthetic fibers spacing stitched in 2 cm by 2 cm, 2 cm by 4 cm treatments, and an untreated control. Each plot received 30 games of simulated traffic events with 12 test variables collected including: percent green cover, surface hardness, head impact criteria, ball rebound, ball roll, angled ball rebound, vertical deformation, energy restitution, force reduction, surface temperature, and rotational and horizontal traction. Results indicated that the only differences among stitched treatments were in rotational traction with the 2 cm by 2 cm treatment having the highest values, increasing the traction for athletic movements. Traffic had a significant effect on green cover, surface hardness, head injury criterion, ball rebound, force reduction, energy restitution, and vertical deformation, regardless of treatment. These findings suggest that the stitched fiber system did not significantly impact hybrid bermudagrass athletic field performance.

Survival of Staphylococcus aureus applied to Poa pratensis L. and synthetic turf

AbstractMethicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates have become more prevalent among athletes. The objective of this study is to examine the survival of S. aureus on synthetic turf systems and natural turfgrass under varying environmental conditions and to evaluate the effectiveness of various control agents applied to the synthetic turf. Under non‐extreme temperature and very limited light conditions, less than 4% of the S. aureus applied survived on both synthetic and natural turfgrass for 12 d. Applied control agents reduced survival rates to less than 1% survival at 6 d for all but one treatment. When S. aureus was applied to outdoor surfaces in the presence of sunlight, the bacterial survival rate was reduced to under 1% survivability within 2 h of S. aureus application on synthetic turf and within 3 h on natural turfgrass. Exposure to UV light and higher temperature seemed to be an effective disinfectant under the conditions of this experiment. Survival rates on synthetic and natural turfgrass did not differ greatly in indoor conditions.

Feedback mechanisms stabilise degraded turf algal systems at a CO2 seep site

Human activities are rapidly changing the structure and function of coastal marine ecosystems. Large-scale replacement of kelp forests and coral reefs with turf algal mats is resulting in homogenous habitats that have less ecological and human value. Ocean acidification has strong potential to substantially favour turf algae growth, which led us to examine the mechanisms that stabilise turf algal states. Here we show that ocean acidification promotes turf algae over corals and macroalgae, mediating new habitat conditions that create stabilising feedback loops (altered physicochemical environment and microbial community, and an inhibition of recruitment) capable of locking turf systems in place. Such feedbacks help explain why degraded coastal habitats persist after being initially pushed past the tipping point by global and local anthropogenic stressors. An understanding of the mechanisms that stabilise degraded coastal habitats can be incorporated into adaptive management to better protect the contribution of coastal systems to human wellbeing.

Beyond 2020, Vision of the Future: Selected Papers from the Sixth Decennial National Irrigation Symposium

HighlightsASABE/IA 6th National Irrigation Symposium includes 80 papers, with 36 introduced here in this Special Collection.Papers include current irrigation research about ET, management, turf systems, technology, humid region, water supply.Irrigation in the U.S. is growing more rapidly in humid regions, and pressurized irrigation continues to grow in usage.There has been much progress in irrigation science in the last decade, and the vision of the future looks bright.Abstract. This article introduces the ASABE Special Collection associated with the 6th Decennial National Irrigation Symposium: Beyond 2020, Vision of the Future. This U.S. symposium, jointly sponsored by ASABE and the Irrigation Association in December 2021, was postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic and consists of approximately 80 presentations, of which 36 were accepted as journal articles for this Special Collection. Irrigated land area appears to be growing slightly in the U.S. but is shifting geographically somewhat toward humid regions. Pressurized irrigation continues to grow, and gravity-fed irrigation continues to decline. Competition for stressed water resources among diverse water users remains great, and smaller numbers of irrigation scientists are available to meet the informational needs. Improved ability to acquire, assess, and use water and crop information helps to meet these challenges. This article discusses irrigation research progress in evapotranspiration (ET), irrigation management, turf systems, sensors and technologies, irrigation strategies in the humid region, and water supply. Challenges and opportunities continue to exist for irrigation in the U.S., but progress in the last decade has been steady, and a good vision for the future of irrigation beyond 2020 is anticipated. Keywords: Evapotranspiration, Irrigation, Irrigation management, Irrigation scheduling, Irrigation systems, Turf and landscape irrigation.