Response of Five Bermudagrass Cultivars to Simulated Athletic-Type Wear.

Many bermudagrass sports fields experience a decline in cover and playability during intense fall sports seasons, which can also reduce field safety for the players. Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers), especially hybrid bermudagrasses (Cynodon dactylon x C. transvaalensis) are the turfgrasses of choice for sports fields in the southern USA due to their aggressive growth, wear tolerance, and recuperative ability. In addition, sports fields are also chosen as venues for non-sportive events, emphasizing the need for more wear-tolerant turfgrasses with rapid recover. This study evaluated the response of five bermudagrass cultivars (‘Tifway’, ‘Patriot’, ‘Celebration’, ‘TifGrand’, and ‘TifSport’) to simulated, athletic-type wear. Research was conducted at Auburn University Turfgrass Research Unit, in Auburn, Alabama for 10 weeks in 2011 and 2012 from August to November. Plots were sprigged in 2011 in a loam-sandy and kept irrigated close to field capacity. Athletic type wear was simulated with a Cady Traffic Simulator at 0 (non-treated), 1, 3, and 5 NFL games per week. Turf shear strength increased at 1 game per week but decreased at 3 and 5 games per week compared to the non-treated. Turfgrass cover was assessed visually, and turfgrass green cover was analyzed with a “light box” apparatus via analysis of digital images. Turfgrass green cover was reduced by increased number of games per week. Turfgrass cover (including browned turf) was less affected by increasing number of simulated games and may have contributed to maintenance of shear strength.