SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/391471
larity in athletic field maintenance, it is a cultural practice used in managing turf that dates back as far as the 18th century on golf courses. Since this time, and particularly in the last quarter century, routine lightweight rolling has become an essential tool for golf courses. Research has proven that frequent and consistent rolling can provide a faster (smoother) putting surface, along with many other benefits that may not seem quite as obvious (and we'll discuss those a little later). Although used on occasion during special circumstances, such as alleviating frost heaving or as a part of seeding/sodding projects, a roller is yet to become an everyday piece of equipment on a sports field. A rare field manager might swear by the benefits he or she gets from the consistent use of a lightweight roller, but it is definitely the exception ra 9ther than the rule. Since we're on the topic of cool kids, I thought: Who's funnier, more popular, and just plain cooler than David Letterman? So why not use a Top 10 list to examine whether lightweight rolling might be the next cultural practice that began in golf to become a staple on athletic fields? Let's take a look at the 2014 Canadian International Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show presentation given by Dr. Thom Nikolai of Michigan State University on his Top 10 Reasons to Roll Course Greens: 10. Alleviate heaving and minimize scalp- ing when climactic conditions dictate. Nikolai talks about the freeze/thaw cycles contributing to uneven surfaces on golf course greens, and it certainly applies to ath- letic fields as well. This is undoubtedly the current most common reason for rolling athletic fields. Rolling not only helps to smooth out a bumpy playing surface but it can also protect against scalping during the first spring mowing. 9. Seed bed preparation. This is another reason that rolling logically translates from golf to athletic fields, where it is certainly time well spent when prepping a site for establishment by seed. In addition, rolling immediately after seeding is a great way to ensure that you achieve the all-important seed-to-soil contact required for germination and nutrient uptake. Similar benefits from rolling can also be seen when establishing an athletic field by sod. Lightweight rolling after sod installation can help create consistent contact between the soil and roots of the new turfgrass. 8. Broadleaf weed, moss, and algae reduction. Although moss and algae tend not to be as big of a problem on an athletic field as on a low mown putting green, broadleaf weeds cer- tainly are a common menace. Dr. Nikolai's Top 10 list hypothesizes that an increased turf density could help to out-compete unwanted pests such as dandelions and white clover. This could be especially beneficial for managers of school athletic fields who are required to use little to no chemical herbicides and where they are prohibited by legislation. 7. Decreased localized dry spot. Research has shown that rolled putting greens experienced less localized dry spot, while the soil samples showed that the rolled plots retained more moisture and had greater root mass than those that were not. On an athletic field, the impact of increased root mass from rolling would be even more meaningful than on a golf course due to its positive effect on turf stability and, ultimately, athlete safety. Preliminary data from an athletic field rolling study at Michigan State University (Fig. 1) shows that rolling athletic fields five times per week may potentially increase root mass of a Kentucky bluegrass field maintained at 2.5 cm. More evidence needs to be seen to draw any conclusions on this and it is being evaluated further. 6. Height of cut raised and green speed retained. Ongoing athletic field research at Michigan State University also shows promising results in regard to the possibility of routine rolling yielding a smoother, faster surface, just as it has on golf course greens. A soccer field gauge, which is essentially soccer's version of a golf Stimpmeter which measures green speed, was used to determine surface smoothness. Plots rolled five times per week were found to be faster than plots that were not rolled (Fig. 2 on page 14). The thought of being able to create a surface that plays quicker, and more importantly is smoother and more consistent, would have the attention of athletes and coaches in such sports as soccer, baseball, lacrosse, and more. 5. Decreased cutworm activity—maybe! Cutworms do their damage by feeding on roots and shoots of a turfgrass stand. This damage is much more evident and devastating at lower cutting heights, such as on putting greens, but can even become a problem on grass that is cut at home lawn height (7-10 cm). Anecdotal evidence indicates rolling may decrease cutworm activity on golf course greens and thus lead to a healthier, stronger rooted turf. www.stma.org October 2014 | SportsTurf 13 Figure 1. Preliminary data from an athletic field rolling study at Michigan State.