Innovation Announcement: Bermudagrass Performance Test

Innovation Announcement  

Bermudagrass Performance Test

 
SoccerPlex to Administer Real Time Performance
Test of Four Bermudagrass Varieties

 

Details:  Maryland SoccerPlex to test four varieties of bermudagrass on two re-constructed sand base fields.  NorthBridge & Patriot on Field 14, Riviera & Latitude 36 on Field 17.  The varieties side by side will provide a real time performance test on sand base fields hosting over 1000 hours of play per year in the Washington, DC region. 

Germantown, MD, July 31, 2013:  Starting with installation next week, Maryland SoccerPlex will administer a real time performance test of four cold hardy and traffic tolerant bermudagrasses.  The varieties are Latitude 36, NorthBridge, Patriot, and Riviera.  The bermudagrass will be installed on 2 fields currently being re-constructed with sand base root zones for the fall season.

The performance test is a continuation of the SoccerPlex mission “to be an innovative leader in sports field and environmental management”.  The goal is to compare and contrast the four grasses on fields consistently under heavy use while receiving the same maintenance practices.

“When selecting a bermudagrass for our new fields, we have four excellent options”, says Jerad Minnick, who oversees the SoccerPlex Grounds Management and Field Development operation.  “Each variety has had success in different situations, but never have they all been compared in the same situation. This test gives us the opportunity to compare and contrast the varieties head to head under heavy use with our aggressive maintenance practices.  We will develop an understanding for which variety is best for not only us, but for others with high traffic bermudagrass fields as well.”

SoccerPlex Fields 14 & 17:  Fields 14 & 17 are being re-constructed from a native clay soil base into sand base fields.  With the installation of sand, Fields 14 & 17 will host more matches and trainings, as sand does not compact from foot traffic like soil.  Also the sand base will allow Fields 14 & 17 to be exempt to rain cancellations, just as SoccerPlex Stadium (which is sand).

Follow the progress of the construction, the performance test, and all other SoccerPlex Grounds & Environmental Management practices at www.soccerplexgem.wordpress.com or by following Seed_McGrass, the SoccerPlex Field Spokesman on twitter.

 

Topdressing SoccerPlex Stadium

Applying 1/4″ of sand at 6.5 mph on SoccerPlex Stadium

UPDATED: IMPRESSIVE RESULTS: Fraze Mowing Bermudagrass

The impact of fraze mowing bermudagrass is beginning to show.  Fields that were “cleaned off” at Maryland SoccerPlex and at FC Dallas Park are all setting themselves apart.

Maryland SoccerPlex fields that were “cleaned off” are illustrating improved wear tolerance, even just 6 weeks after fraze mowing.  During a lacrosse tournament last weekend, SoccerPlex Patriot bermudagrass fields hosted 34 lacrosse matches per bermudagrass field in rainy, humid conditions.  The durability from the fraze mowed fields was far superior.  The treatments have been the same; no fertilizer and 1 pass w/ 3/8″ hollow coring tines on 1″ centers; accept that the non-fraze mowed fields were scarified to promote recovery. The results follow….

Fields Not Fraze Mowed:

Day 1: Bermudagrass Field That was Not Fraze Mowed

Day 7 of Recovery on Fields Not Fraze Mowed

UPDATED

Non Fraze Mowed: Day 14 of Recovery From 34 Lacrosse Matches

Because bermudagrass is so quick to recover, it is accepted before such a lacrosse event that the bermudagrass will nearly be completely worn away.  The bermuda is able to recover completely within 2-3 weeks even at this pace.

Then that is compared to the fields that were fraze mowed 6 week prior to hosting 34 lacrosse matches in 4 days.  Results:

Day 1:  Field That Was Fraze Mowed

Day 7 of Recovery on Fraze Mowed Field

UPDATED

Day 14 of Recovery: Fraze Mowed Field from 34 Lacrosse Matches (W/ Soccer Camps/ Clinics All 14 Days)

The results speak for themselves.  Yes, in both pictures the field is extremely worn initially on Day 1.  However, look closer and compare the amount of green tissue remaining on the ground in the fraze mowed picture compared to the field not fraze mowed.  The field not fraze mowed is nearly all dirt where new bermuda will need to push back up through the soil or have sprigs added to the area.  The fraze mowed field still has nearly 75% cover, so the plants can quickly grow back in the worn area.

Keep in mind that fraze mowing took place only 6 weeks prior on 3 fields:

Fraze Mowing w/ KORO Universe Field Topmaker

Field Comparisons In 6 Weeks Before 34 Lacrosse Games

Because of the increase in durability of the fraze mowed bermudagrass, it is recovering in only 1 week.  Not only does this allow the field to recover faster, but it can allow for the fields to sustain even more play.  Win. Win.

So WHY is the difference so vast already?

1)  Re-growth is more durable:  Just 6 weeks after the field was cleaned off completely, the re-growth back up through the soil is much stronger.  The number of growing points has multiplied and the cleats go into the soil instead of thatch to reduce shearing/ tearing/ increasing traction.

2) Organic removal reduces moisture and compaction potential:  During the 4 day lacrosse tournament, wet and rainy conditions prevailed.  The drying speed of the fraze mowed fields was much faster than the non-fraze mowed fields, and the 3 fields that were “cleaned off” historically hold water the longest.  WHY?  The organic layer was removed, so water was not held in the organic layer as long and allowed to soak into the native soil faster.  The organic removal also reduced the compaction potential at the soil surface.

The FC Dallas Training Field is also experiencing similar superior wear tolerance:

FC Dallas 1st Team Training Field:

Organic/ Thatch Build Up in 2012

Thatch/ Organic Build Up AFTER Fraze Mowing in 2013

The pictures also illustrate the difference in the quality of the bermudagrass re-growth.  Without having to grow up through thatch and having more growing points, the picture illustrates how much stronger the bermudagrass is after fraze mowing.  Additionally, the poa is removed as well.

The FC Dallas Training field has been in use daily for nearly 3 months and is illustrating superior wear tolerance, especially through the high traffic areas:

 

Field 14 & Field 17 Re-construction Continues on Schedule

The reconstruction of SoccerPlex FIelds 14 & 17 continues on schedule for opening August 23 for the Rush for the Cup Soccer Tournament.  SoccerPlex’s lead construction company, Landscapes Unlimited (www.landscapesunlimited.com), has installed 45 of the 90 loads of sand needed for Field 17.

1st Loads of Sand Arrive for Field 17. 90 Loads of Sand Are Required for Each Field

Irrigation is installed on Field 14, with drainage work beginning for sand deliveries to start new week.  Field 17 will begin to have sod installed on August 6.

Drainage Installation on Field 17

 

Irrigation, Drainage Installation on Field 17

The re-construction of Field 17 is moving along quickly.  After 1 week, Field 17’s base grading is complete… irrigation is being installed…  as is the drainage.

Drainage Main Line Installed, Lateral Drain Pipe Prepared, Irrigation Line Assembled

Irrigation Lateral Installation

 

Irrigation and Drain Main Line Installation

Field 14 & Field 17 Construction Begins!

Removal of Field 17 Begins

The re-construction of SoccerPlex Fields 14 & 17 start today, July 8.  The fields, originally built out of clay native soil, are being re-built with sand as the soil base.  The fields are scheduled to re-open for the August Cup soccer tournament on August 23.

Why Are They Being Re-constructed?
Fields 14 & 17 are having a sand soil installed for the grass to grow in.  SoccerPlex Stadium is only other of SoccerPlex’s 22 fields that has sand as the soil.

Sand allows water to soak in quickly so that there are never puddles on the field, causing the field to become unplayable during rain.  Sand also does not compact like native soils, so Field 14 & 17 will be able to host more play.

What  Difference Will This Make For SoccerPlex Patrons?
With the sand soil, Fields 14 & 17 will be nearly rain-out proof.  The sand soil and the lights installed in August of 2012 will combine to allow week day train sessions, more matches during tournaments, and even play during the winter because the fields can sustain more events without the grass starting to wear out.

What Will You See?
During construction from July 8 until mid-August, Fields 14 & 17 will be completely dug up.  The existing grass is being removed.  High efficiency irrigation will be installed.  Drain lines will be laid and 6″ of sand will be spread across the fields.  Bermudagrass sod will then be laid on the sand in mid-August with 7-14 days to root down and establish in time for the August Cup tournament.

Removal of Field 17