EFFECT OF SIMULATED TRAFFIC ON VEGETATIVE EVOLUTION OF TURFGRASS IN CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS OF SOCCER PITCHES

A field trial plot was conducted at the experimental farm of Padova University in Legnaro (Padova – NE Italy) to study the response of three cool season grasses during simulated soccer traffic. Vegetative evolution of two mixtures: Poa pratensis L. (50% ‘Midnight’ and 50% ‘Bartitia’) + Lolium perenne L. (50% ‘Barighstar’ and 50% ‘Barsportivo’) and Poa pratensis L. (50% ‘Midnight’ and 50% ‘Bartitia’) + Festuca arundinacea Schreb. (50% ‘Eldorado’ and 50% ‘Barfelix’) used in three different construction systems of soccer pitches (intergreen system with topsoil of volcanic sand; vertical drainage system with topsoil of volcanic sand; and vertical drainage system with river sand as topsoil) was monthly estimated from April 2001 to March 2002 using the linear analysis method. Results showed an excellent performance of tall fescue followed by perennial ryegrass and finally by Kentucky bluegrass. Mixture of perennial ryegrass + Kentucky bluegrass was more balanced than the mixture of tall fescue + Kentucky bluegrass that was dominated, instead, by tall fescue especially after the beginning of simulated traffic phase. Moreover, results deriving from systems comparison suggested that intergreen system represents the logical choice for soccer turf design in this experimental area.