Wednesday, 9 November 2005
13

Effect of Wear Stress on Seashore Paspalum Associated with Sports Fields in Central California.

David Green II and Jeremy Wilt. Cal Poly State University, Horticulture & Crop Science Dept., 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

Decreasing availability of water in California is forcing public and private sport facilities to evaluate new turfgrass species adapted to high wear, effluent water, and drought stress. A study was conducted to evaluate sport's traffic tolerance of Seashore Paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) ‘SeaIsle I' in two locations in Central California. San Luis Obispo represented a coastal climate with temperatures ranging from 5 to 27◦ C and moist soil, while Paso Robles represented a temperate climate with temperate climate with temperatures ranging from -5 to 40◦ C and dry soil. Plots were initially sodded in July 2004 then traffic treatments applied in October and November 2004 in four applications representing typical wear on a football playing surface. Traffic treatments included heavy abrasion, tearing, and compaction; medium abrasion, tearing, and compaction; light abrasion and compaction; and a no traffic control. Heavier traffic treatments caused significantly (P > 0.01) more injury and compaction throughout both studies. Mean injury levels after four applications were 55%, 35%, 12%, and 0% for the heavy, medium, light, and control traffic treatments, respectively. Plots recovered approximately 10% by 26 November two weeks after the final application. No recovery was observed during turf dormancy at either location. Recovery continued when turf came out of dormancy on 21 February and 1 March in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, respectively. On 30 April mean injury was 24%, 12%, 0%, 0% for heavy, medium, light, and no traffic treatments, respectively. Compaction was significantly (P > 0.01) influenced by soil moisture and traffic treatments. Heavier compaction was observed to inhibit recovery of seashore paspalum.

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