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TURFGRASS SCIENCE

The Effects of Crumb Rubber Topdressing on Hybrid Kentucky Bluegrass and Bermudagrass Athletic Fields in the Transition Zone

^a Dep. of Plant Sciences, 252 Plant Biotechnology Building, 2505 E J Chapman Drive, Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996
^b Dep. of Horticulture, 316 Plant Science Building, Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701

^* Corresponding author (mgoddard{at}vt.edu).

New turfgrass varieties and management practices have introduced new options for transition zone athletic field managers. Our objectives were to determine the wear tolerance of four turfgrasses in the transition zone with and without crumb rubber under simulated athletic field conditions, and to determine if improved cool and warm-season turfgrass species can be used for transition zone athletic fields. Field trials evaluated the use of four turfgrass species with and without crumb rubber topdressing in Knoxville, TN, and Fayetteville, AR. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with a split-strip plot treatment arrangement. Plots containing ‘Thermal Blue’ hybrid Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L. x P. arachnifera Torr.) or ‘Riviera’ [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], ‘Quickstand’ (C. dactylon), or ‘Tifway’ (C. dactylon x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) bermudagrass were evaluated. Crumb rubber treatments were topdressed to achieve a 2-cm depth. Traffic was applied to each plot using a Cady Traffic Simulator to simulate athletic field wear. Traffic applications coincided with actual fall athletic seasons ranging from October to December 2005. Hybrid Kentucky bluegrass proved to be acceptable for use in transition zone athletic fields, Riviera and Tifway showed comparable wear tolerance, and Quickstand showed the lowest wear tolerance of the varieties tested. Crumb rubber topdressing resulted in a significant increase in turfgrass wear tolerance, and a decrease in surface hardness, soil bulk density, and shear resistance.

Abbreviations: CTS, Cady Traffic Simulator • HBG, hybrid bluegrass • KBG, Kentucky bluegrass • TBG, Texas bluegrass