Identification of Bermudagrasses With Improved Traffic Tolerance.

Injury from foot traffic is one of the most challenging problems athletic field managers face in regards to the playing surface.  The purpose of this research was to identify experimental as well as commercially available bermudagrasses with improved traffic tolerance for use on athletic fields.  A Cady-type traffic simulator (CTS) was constructed from a walk-behind core aerator to use in providing traffic injury to bermudagrasses.  In 2012 and 2013, the CTS was run over each grass plot once a week in a two-pass pattern from May through November.  In 2013, an additional traffic treatment was added which included a four-pass pattern on trials that had available space in order to evaluate tolerance to additional traffic.  Traffic tolerance was assessed using a 1 - 9 visual rating scale as well as digital image analysis for percent living cover on a weekly basis immediately prior to the next traffic event.  Traffic tolerance was highly variable amongst varieties.  Results from 2012 indicated that ‘Riviera’, ‘Northbridge’, ‘Princess 77’ and some experimental varieties including ‘OKS 2002-1’ had the greatest traffic tolerances while ‘Midlawn’ and experimental variety ‘EFAW 48-2000’ had statistically lower tolerance using the visual traffic tolerance ratings.  Results through 26 August 2013 were consistent with that found in 2012 with varieties such as ‘Riviera’, ‘Latitude 36’, and ‘Northbridge’ having statistically higher traffic tolerance than other varieties, with  Midlawn and some experimental varieties including ‘SWI-1117’ and ‘EFAW 48’ continued to have statistically lower traffic tolerance than other varieties.  Results should allow field managers to pick the most traffic tolerant varieties for installation, minimizing the amount of time and money required to maintain a high-quality facility.