All Seasons Turfgrass

The result is a continuous surface that shows the variabil- A third use of maps in sports field management could be to ity of a given property across the field, or in other words, help explain field closures. Sports field management often a map (right side of Figure 1). Maps are not limited to involves more than just taking care of the field. Interacting these five properties. Any quantifiable measurement can with coaches, players, and administration may be common be made into a spatially interpolated map. and at times difficult. Questions often arise when fields and efficient application of inputs. Current management managing sports fields at a smaller scale than current pracvalues in the data). Focusing efforts on smaller areas may play a critical role when trying to communicate sports field need to be closed for inclement weather or maintenance Using Maps practices. Sometimes telling them that the field is “too Site-specific management is perhaps the most suggested ing for some, but maps are somewhat easy to understand. use for maps in sports field management. Site-specific For example, the bright red color depicting stressed turf on management simply involves the application of inputs a turfgrass health map is an easy way to highlight areas (such as water, aerification, and fertilization) only where, that need special attention or justify closing/rotating field when, and in the amount needed. This fosters more precise use. practices are often based on recommendations designed to The last example of how maps could be used in sports turf provide good results under average conditions over large management is to propose new equipment or renovations. areas. Sports turf managers frequently use high amounts of Maps can easily highlight deficient areas within a field or resources in order to achieve a safe, predictable outcome. across multiple fields within a sports complex. Sports turf However, this type of management does not take into ac- managers may be cognizant of these areas, while their adcount the variability of certain measured quantities (e.g. ministrators are often unaware. Maps can be employed to soil moisture, soil compaction, etc.) that may exist within justify the purchase of new equipment or utilized to rationor between fields. Site-specific management focuses on alize the need for future renovations. tices in order to target only “troubled” areas (high or low Sports Field Mapping Protocol reduce management inputs, improve field consistency Unfortunately, adoption and use of maps among sports turf (above- and below-ground), increase the efficiency of managers has been slow. This is likely due to several reamanagement tactics, and enhance turfgrass longevity/stress sons, but primarily related to lack of knowledge about the tolerance. There are many site-specific management appli- required technologies, shortage of time and labor for data cations for sports fields using maps: a.) soil moisture maps collection, and cost of testing devices (as well as their accan detect deficiencies in irrigation systems down to a sin- companying software subscriptions). With all of this in gle head; b.) soil compaction maps can be used to create a mind, the University of Minnesota developed a free sports site-specific cultivation plan; c.) turfgrass health maps can field mapping protocol that outlines step-by-step instrucidentify wear/stress patterns that alert managers to rotate tions to collect and analyze sports field surface property field use; and d.) overlaying maps of different variables data for map creation. The detailed protocol outlines stepmay highlight imperfections in current management prac- by-step instructions to collect data, which can then be used tices or underlying agronomic issues. to create maps of surface properties with free mapping Another example of how maps can be used at sports facili- 2). One of the reasons the protocol was created was to help ties is to demonstrate sustainability. Terms like “going sports turf managers get their foot in the door with mapgreen” and “eco-friendly” will soon become common lin- ping sports field surface properties for site-specific mango among sports turf managers. Public concern over the agement. The only thing required is a sampling device (or use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers on sports fields multiple sampling devices) and effort. There are several and recreational areas has intensified over the past decade. positive outcomes anticipated from this initiative, such as As societal pressure increases for the conservation of ener- management resource conservation, increased field unigy and natural resources, attempts to implement site- formity and athlete safety, and increased familiarity with specific management and reduce inputs may become key new technologies amongst sports turf managers. The proto increasing the credibility of sports facilities attempting tocol is available for free through the University of Minneto become “sustainable.” Improving field playability and sota’s Office for Technology Commercialization. It can be athlete safety through the implementation of site-specific found by searching online for “sports field mapping protomanagement would further exhibit social sustainability of col” or by the provided link in the “Useful Links” section sports fields by improving player satisfaction. Maps can of aggieturf.tamu.edu. wet” is just not enough. Numbers and data can be confussoftware that can be downloaded via the internet (Figure efforts of sustainability to the public. Continued on next page