Do Wetting Agents Improve Athletic Field Safety and Performance.

Athletic field managers often struggle to maintain safe and high quality athletic fields because of the use or overuse of fields in high moisture conditions. A natural grass-playing surface can be in great condition, however, a significant moisture event occurs with athletic field traffic following immediately, a decline in the playing surface occurs, potentially making the field unsafe to use. Previous research has indicated high soil moisture can cause excessive wear of natural grass athletic fields. Wetting agents have demonstrated the ability on golf courses to improve soil infiltration, limit localized dry spot, and lessen the time needed to resume activity after a rainfall; however, little is known on if these products could improve athletic field safety and performance. Two studies were conducted at the Iowa State University Horticulture Research Station in Ames, IA, comparing wetting agents and timing of applications under simulated athletic traffic (SAT) on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) in the fall of 2017. The first study compared applications of six different wetting agents (Alypso Plus, Dispatch Sprayable, Triplo, Sixteen 90, Vivax, and Revolution) applied at 14 and 28 day intervals and a non-treated control for two months before SAT was initiated. Wetting agents were continued on 14 and 28-day application intervals throughout the fall’s SAT. The second study consisted of applying six wetting agents at eight, three, and one-day before the initiation of SAT, and then simulating 2.54 cm of rainfall the night before initiating SAT. Both trials were conducted on native soil and a native soil capped with 10 cm of sand. Simulated athletic field traffic followed the Iowa High School Athletic Association schedule for high school football practice. Percent green cover, surface hardness, surface stability, and soil moisture were all measured to determine performance and safety of the treatments.