crew has been asked to transition from perennial ryegrass to
bermudagrass in the spring/early summer while keeping the fields
game ready for recruiting visits and summer camps.
Southern sports turf managers know and have been told by
many experts that in order to maximize the health of bermudagrass,
timely removal of the ryegrass in early spring is essential. Dense
ryegrass stands can suppress bermudagrass growth and reduce development throughout the summer. Thus applying an herbicide is
the most assured way to control the perennial ryegrass and encourage bermudagrass development. The problem with chemical removal is that we normally observe a 3 to 6 week period of low
quality turf between perennial ryegrass death and bermudagrass development. Low quality turf is seen as a negative for recruiting.
The Auburn grounds crew has reached out to major league
baseball groundskeepers to learn how they manage transitioning
in the middle of a baseball season without using chemicals. After
many conversations, the decision has been made use lower mowing heights, grooming, aerification, and soluble nitrogen to favor
bermudagrass growth without a massive die-out of ryegrass.
Mowing height is gradually reduced from 7/8" to 5/8". Vertical
mowing occurs every other week as a groomer to remove ryegrass
leaves and allow sunlight to reach the bermudagrass. Core aerification further thins the ryegrass canopy and increases sunlight
into the soil surface. Light, frequent applications of soluble N
supplement a slow release polymer coated urea application to
www.stma.org
favor bermudagrass growth.
The needs of recruiting make the effort to minimize the time
frame of visible grow-in necessary. If unsuccessful, the final option
would be to re-sod the football fields each spring for an instant
transition.
THE SHADE LINE created by construction of indoor
practice facility on outdoor practice fields.
MANAGING SHADE ISSUES
Recently, the Auburn grounds crew inherited a new challenge in
turf management. Completion of an indoor football facility created instant shade issues on the outdoor fields. Building the indoor
field on the south end of the football complex allows the athletes to
walk straight from the weight room to the field without going outdoors. While convenient for the football team, the indoor facility is
SportsTurf 25
