ASTM F2060-00(2005)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Maintaining Cool Season Turfgrasses on Athletic Fields
Standard Guide for Maintaining Cool Season Turfgrasses on Athletic Fields
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
A dense, uniform stand of turfgrass on a playing surface improves the playing quality and safety of the field by providing firm footing for the athletes and by cushioning their impact from falls or tackles. These standards are the minimum inputs required to provide such a surface. Various published guides have been used in the development of this guide (1-5).2
Field conditions may directly influence the frequency and type of athletic injuries occurring as a result of using the fields. While these standards do not guarantee that such injuries will be prevented, a well-maintained turf on a natural playing surface should minimize field-related injuries.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the minimum requirements for maintaining cool season turfgrasses used for natural surface athletic fields. Practices covered include mowing, fertilization, irrigation, core cultivation, overseeding, and pest management.
1.2 The decisions involved in maintaining a quality natural playing surface should consider soil types, local climate and other factors; therefore, it is recommended that you contact your local cooperative extension service for more specific information on soils, and grass species and cultivars adapted to your area.
1.3This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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An American National Standard
Designation:F2060–00 (Reapproved 2005)
Standard Guide for
Maintaining Cool Season Turfgrasses on Athletic Fields
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2060; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope inputs required to provide such a surface. Various published
guides have been used in the development of this guide (1-5).
1.1 This guide covers the minimum requirements for main-
3.2 Field conditions may directly influence the frequency
taining cool season turfgrasses used for natural surface athletic
and type of athletic injuries occurring as a result of using the
fields. Practices covered include mowing, fertilization, irriga-
fields.Whilethesestandardsdonotguaranteethatsuchinjuries
tion, core cultivation, overseeding, and pest management.
will be prevented, a well-maintained turf on a natural playing
1.2 The decisions involved in maintaining a quality natural
surface should minimize field-related injuries.
playing surface should consider soil types, local climate and
other factors; therefore, it is recommended that you contact
4. Apparatus
your local cooperative extension service for more specific
4.1 General—Experience and good judgment are important
information on soils, and grass species and cultivars adapted to
to match the proper type of equipment to the nature of the task
your area.
to be performed.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1.1 Mowing Equipment—Mower types include reel, ro-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tary, and flail; although, the latter type is not recommended for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
fine playing surfaces.Areel mower should be used for playing
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
surfaces requiring mowing at less than 1.5 in. (3.8 cm). Mower
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
blades should always be kept sharp and properly adjusted in
2. Terminology accordance to manufacturer’s recommendations. Mowing
equipment should be operated in a speed range consistent with
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
the manufacturer’s recommendation.
2.1.1 athletic field, n—a field constructed and utilized for
4.1.2 Spreaders—Spreaders are necessary if dry fertilizer or
conduct of various organized sporting events.
pest control materials are to be applied. Spreader types may
2.1.2 cool season turfgrasses, n—grass species widely
include drop, rotary (centrifugal, spinner), or oscillating.
adapted to cool temperate climates. Some species persist and
Spreaders should be calibrated to deliver the desired, labeled,
are used in warm humid to warm subhumid climates; referred
or recommended rate of fertilizer or pest control product being
to as the transition zone. Cool season species commonly used
applied.
for natural playing surfaces include Kentucky bluegrass, pe-
4.1.3 Sprayers—Sprayers are necessary if liquid fertilizers
rennial ryegrass, tall fescue, fine leaf fescues, creeping bent-
or pest control materials are to be applied. Low pressure
grass, and colonial bentgrass. Creeping and colonial bent-
systems are recommended. Sprayers should be calibrated to
grasses are normally used only on croquet and lawn bowling
deliver the desired, labeled, or recommended rate of fertilizer
courts.
or pest control product being applied.
2.1.3 thatch, n—an accumulation of undecomposed organic
4.1.4 Core Cultivators—Core cultivation (aerification, cor-
matter that can form at the soil surface in a turf.
ing) equipment relieves soil surface compaction. Core cultiva-
3. Significance and Use tors should be of the type that physically removes soil, such as
1 3
a hollow tine or spoon. Cultivators with ⁄2 to ⁄4 in. (13 to 19
3.1 Adense, uniform stand of turfgrass on a playing surface
mm) tines on 4 to 6 in. (100 to 150 mm) spacings should be
improves the playing quality and safety of the field by
usedonallplayingsurfaces.Spikers,slicers,orsimilartypesof
providing firm footing for the athletes and by cushioning their
equipment are not suitable for relieving surface compaction.
impact from falls or tackles. These standards are the minimum
4.1.5 Seeders—Slit seeders should be used for any over-
seeding or renovation operations. Slit seeders cut a groove into
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports the soil and deposit the seed in the groove at a predetermined
Equipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.64 on
depth.
Natural Playing Surfaces.
Current edition approved May 1, 2005. Published May 2005. Originally
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as F2060 – 00. DOI: The boldface numbers in parentheses refers to the list of references at the end
10.1520/F2060-00R05. of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F2060–00 (2005)
4.1.6 Irrigation System or Equipment—Ideally,somesource tifynutrientdeficienciesthatmaybecorrectedbysupplemental
of water should be available for irrigation. Systems can range fertilizer applications or by fertilizer selection. Soil testing will
from portable or permanently installed types. also identify changes needed in soil reaction (pH).
4.1.7 Soil Sampling Tubes, used to sample soils for testing 6.2.1 Sampling—A representative sample should be taken
purposes.
from each field. Using a soil sampling tube, pull out about 50
random samples per acre of turf, and combine them to obtain
5. Mowing
a representative sample. Samples should be taken from the soil
surface to a depth of 2 to 4 in. (51 to 102 mm), or a depth
5.1 Mowing (General)—The periodic removal of excess
recommended by the testing laboratory.
shoot growth is necessary on natural surface playing fields.
5.2 Mowing Height—The mowing height of a natural sur- 6.2.2 Remove the thatch and any stones or debris.
face athletic field will vary with the sport, turfgrass species, 6.2.3 Thoroughly mix the cores and pull a 1-pt (0.5-L)
and time of the year.Adjust mowing heights accordingly, using
sample from the composite to submit to the testing laboratory.
Table 1.
6.2.4 Provide as much information to the laboratory as
5.3 Mowing Frequency—Fields should be mowed as often
possible, including the use of the area, grass species, past
as necessary. No more than ⁄3 of the leaf surface should be cut
fertilization history, irrigation or not, clipping removal or not,
off at any one mowing. Under normal growing conditions, this
age of the field, and other information the laboratory may
usually means every five to seven days for fields maintained at
request.
1.5 in. (38 mm) or higher, two or three times a week for
6.2.5 Submit the samples to a state or commercial soil
baseball infields and other closely mowed fields.
testing laboratory. Maintain records of samples submitted, to
5.4 Clipping Removal—Fields maintained at a mowing
include sampling date, soil testing laboratory, and results.
height of 1 in. (25 mm) or higher do not require that the
6.3 Soil Reaction (pH)—Soil pH should be maintained in a
clippings be removed at mowing if mowed at the proper
range of 6.0 to 7.0.
frequency. Only remove clippings if the grass is allowed to
6.3.1 Lime should be applied as per soil test recommenda-
grow excessively high so that clippings would accumulate on
tions to increase soil pH. Lime materials may include pulver-
the playing field surface. Playing surfaces maintained at one
ized or granular limestone, pelletized limestone, and hydrated
inch or shorter should have the clippings removed with each
lime. Use dolomitic liming materials if there is a need for
mowing.
additional magnesium in the soil.Apply lime in spring, or fall,
5.5 Mowing Pattern—Mowing direction should be varied
or both, until the desired pH is attained.
with each successive mowing. Striping of fields due to mowing
6.3.2 Apply no more than 100 lbs of agricultural lime/1000
direction can be accomplished with one or two mowings prior 2
ft (4900 kg/ha) per application on bluegrass, ryegrass, or tall
to an event.
fescue fields.
6.3.3 Elemental sulfur or ammonium based fertilizers can
6. Fertilization
beusedtodecreasesoilpH.Applyelementalsulfurataratenot
6.1 Fertilization (General)—Fertilization is essential for
to exceed 5 lbs/1000 ft (245 kg/ha) in the spring and fall until
maintaining dense, vigorously growing natural turfgrass fields.
the desired soil pH is reached.
Fertilizer rate, timing, source, and ratio will influence a natural
6.4 Fertilizer Rate and Nitrogen Sources—Cool season
turf’s density, color, uniformity, recuperative ability, as well as
grass (Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue)
its ability to tolerate wear, biological and environmental
playing surfaces should receive fertilizer at a rate to delive
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