Sports Fields: Design, Construction, and Maintenance

JAMES C. PUHALLA is experienced in the sports field industry, specializing in the design, construction, renovation, and maintenance of sports fields and athletic facilities. JEFFREY V. KRANS, PhD.,??is a former Professor of Agronomy at Mississippi State University, is a turfgrass breeding and physiology specialist. J. MICHAEL GOATLEY, JR. PhD., is a Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist with years of research and teaching experience in sports turf management at Mississippi State University and Virginia Tech.

About the Authors xi About the STMA xiii Preface xv Part 1 Principles of Sports Turf Culture 1 1 Turfgrasses 3 1.1 Introduction 3 1.2 Biology and Identification 4 1.3 Turfgrass Types 11 1.4 Turfgrass Selection 18 1.5 Using the Two-Map System to Select Turfgrass 20 1.6 Planting Times and Rates 24 1.7 Soil Preparation 27 1.8 Planting Techniques 28 1.9 Establishment 35 1.10 Overseeding Warm-Season Fields 38 1.11 Sustaining a Mixed Warm and Cool Season Turfgrass Canopy in the Transition Zone 45 2 Soils and Soil Science 53 2.1 Introduction 53 2.2 Soil as a Medium for Turfgrass 53 3 Fertility and Fertilizers 67 3.1 Introduction 67 3.2 Nutrient Requirements 67 3.3 Nutrient Uptake 70 3.4 Soil Reaction 71 3.5 Fertilizer Analysis 73 3.6 Fertilizer Sources 74 3.7 Application Rates and Frequencies 78 3.8 Micronutrients 82 3.9 Biostimulants 84 4 Mowing 87 4.1 Introduction 87 4.2 Types of Mowers 90 4.3 Turf Response 92 4.4 Height and Frequency 93 4.5 Pattern 94 4.6 Clipping Removal 95 4.7 Equipment and Safety 96 4.8 Chemical Growth Regulators 97 5 Irrigation 103 5.1 Introduction 103 5.2 Irrigation and Turfgrass Culture 103 5.3 General Principles of Turfgrass Irrigation 104 5.4 Portable Irrigation Systems 105 5.5 Installed Irrigation Systems 106 5.6 Wireless Sensor Technology 121 5.7 Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) 121 5.8 The Use of Nonpotable Water for Sports Field Irrigation 122 5.9 Know Your Water Source 123 6 Drainage 125 6.1 Introduction 125 6.2 Surface Drainage 125 6.3 Internal Drainage 129 6.4 Installed Drain Systems 136 6.5 Other Drain System Practices 147 7 Aeration and Topdressing 149 7.1 Introduction 149 7.2 Aerating for Optimal Turf Responses 149 7.3 Aeration Equipment 153 7.4 Topdressing 163 8 Thatch 167 8.1 Introduction 167 8.2 Definition of Thatch 167 8.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Thatch in Sports Turf 168 8.4 How Thatch Develops 170 8.5 Maintaining a Managed Thatch Layer 172 8.6 Reducing Excessive Thatch Buildup 173 9 Turfgrass Stresses and Remedies 179 9.1 Introduction 179 9.2 Mechanical Stresses 179 9.3 Environmental Stresses 183 9.4 Weeds, Insects, and Diseases 187 10 Wise Use of Chemicals 271 10.1 Introduction 271 10.2 The Label is the Law 271 10.3 Planning and Performing Applications 275 10.4 Record Keeping 286 11 Organic Field Management 289 11.1 Introduction 289 11.2 Definitions and Principles of Organic Field Management 290 11.3 Principles and Concepts of Organic Field Management 290 11.4 Making an Adjustment to Organic Field Management 292 11.5 Timing and Site Conditions for Organic Field Management 292 11.6 Organic Field Management Inputs 293 11.7 Compost and Composting 308 11.8 Compost Applications on Sports Fields 311 Part 2 Natural Turfgrass Sports Fields 313 12 Baseball and Softball Fields 317 12.1 Introduction 317 12.2 Design 317 12.3 Construction 340 12.4 Renovation 349 12.5 Maintenance and Management Procedures 353 12.6 Rules and Regulations 357 13 Football Fields 371 13.1 Introduction 371 13.2 Design 372 13.3 Construction 381 13.4 Renovation 383 13.5 Maintenance and Management Procedures 387 13.6 Rules and Regulations 396 14 Soccer, Lacrosse, and Field Hockey Fields 405 14.1 Introduction 405 14.2 Design 406 14.3 Construction 412 14.4 Renovation 412 14.5 Maintenance and Management Procedures 415 14.6 Rules and Regulations 421 Part 3 Other Sports Surfaces 431 15 Tennis Courts 433 15.1 Introduction 433 15.2 Design 434 15.3 Construction 439 15.4 Renovation 440 15.5 Maintenance 442 15.6 Rules and Regulations 444 16 Track and Field Facilities 447 16.1