28 SportsTurf | August 2016 www.sportsturfonline.com
FIELD SCIENCE
TO PAINT OR
NOT TO PAINT?
COLORANT
BASICS FOR
ATHLETIC FIELDS
■ BY GORDON KAUFFMAN III, PHD
Editor's note: The author is Technical Manager-Turf and
Ornamental, for BRANDT/Grigg Brothers, and a member of the
Sports Turf Managers Association.
C
olorant use by turfgrass mangers has increased
over the past 5-10 years. By no means does artificially
coloring or painting athletic fields serve as a substitute
for sound agronomic practices, including timely and
correct nutrient inputs, cultivation, soil amendment, and pest
control. However, as we learn more about colorant uses and
benefits, sports turf managers are now able to quickly and
efficiently mask blemishes, color dormant and semi-dormant
turf, positively affect plant health, improve aesthetics for higher
profile games/events, and perhaps even increase germination
time and establishment.
One important thing to keep in mind: turfgrass "color" remains
a very subjective assessment and many formulation options
are available in the marketplace offering different "shades" of
green (Figure 1). For more detailed information about specific
colorant performance, colors and observations when applied to
Figure 1. Example of various colorant formulations and their 'shades of green' in
the bottle. Remember that the color in the container does not always represent the
color after it's applied to turfgrass, especially if the turf is dormant or approaching
dormancy. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM BAIRD, UC RIVERSIDE.
Figure 2. Application of various colorants (paints and pigments) applied to concrete.
Cleaning is advised, however you can see that photodecomposition occurs. Compare
the picture on the above (2 Dec) with that one below (17 Dec) – applications made
three (3) weeks apart. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JIM BAIRD, UC RIVERSIDE.
