Mowing Strategies and Fertilization Improves Sports Fields During and After 70-day Re-establishment Window

Little information exists for sports field managers on optimal ways to re-establish trafficked areas on a sports field during a 70-day window. A 2002 Michigan Rotational Survey reported two cultural practices sports field managers performed most consistently, regardless of maintenance level, were mowing and fertility. A study was conducted at Michigan State University in 2002 and 2003. Objectives were to (i) clarify the impact of best management practices in regards to mowing height and fertilization on re-establishment of sports field turf during a 70-day window, and (ii) quantify these effects during and after a 25-day simulated traffic period. Data collected were turfgrass cover percent ratings, traction, and peak deceleration. The gradually reducing mowing height treatment was significantly higher for turfgrass cover percent ratings only at the end of the 70-day window for both years. Fertilization, the more dominant factor, was applied at the start of the experiment (1 June) whereas mowing was not begun until four to five weeks later. Resin coated urea at 14 kg of N per ha, with a 6% Reactive Layer Coating, was most effective in providing the strongest and most uniform surface throughout the study according to playing surface measurement.