1、Designation: F 2269 03An American National StandardStandard Guide forMaintaining Warm Season Turfgrasses on Athletic Fields1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 2269; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision,
2、 the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This guide covers the minimum requirements for main-taining warm-season turfgrasses used for natural sur
3、face ath-letic fields. Practices covered include mowing, fertilization,irrigation, core cultivation, winter overseeding, pest manage-ment, and requirements for management of dormant turf winteroverseeded with cool-season turf (see also Guide F 2060).1.2 The decisions involved in maintaining a qualit
4、y naturalplaying surface should consider soil types, local climate andother factors. Therefore, it is recommended that you contactyour local cooperative extension service for more specificinformation on soils, and grass species and cultivars adapted toyour area.1.3 The values stated in SI units are
5、to be regarded as thestandard. The values in parentheses are for information only.1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, opera-tions, and equipment. This standard does not purport toaddress all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with itsuse. It is the responsibility of the user o
6、f this standard toestablish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2F 2060 Guide for Maintaining Cool Season Turfgrasses onAthletic Fields3. Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specifi
7、c to This Standard:3.1.1 athletic fielda field constructed and utilized forconduct of various organized sporting events.3.1.2 overseedingthe practice of seeding a turfgrass into aturf area that has an established turfgrass.3.1.3 thatchan accumulation of undecomposed organicmatter that can form at th
8、e soil surface in a turf.3.1.3.1 DiscussionExcessive thatch is not normally aproblem found on heavily used athletic fields that are properlymaintained. It excessive thatch does occur, it may be removedor controlled by the practice of vermicutting.3.1.4 warm-season turfgrassesgrass species widelyadap
9、ted to warm temperate climates. Some species persist andare used in cool humid to cool sub-humid climates; referred toas a transition zone. Warm-season species commonly used fornatural playing surfaces include hybrid bermudagrass, com-mon bermudagrass, seashore paspalum, zoysiagrass, andkikuyagrass,
10、 and these turfs may be overseeded with a cool-season turf such as annual or perennial ryegrass in the wintermonths. Note that the use of kikuyagrass as a turf on athleticfields is not generally recommended. Kikuyagrass is includedin this standard because despite its shortcomings as an athleticturfg
11、rass, many athletic field managers are managing kikuya-grass athletic fields as it is an invasive, volunteer species. Insome countries kikuyagrass is considered a noxious weed andits intentional use or planting may be banned.4. Significance and Use4.1 A dense, uniform stand of turfgrass on a playing
12、 surfaceimproves the playing quality and safety of the field byproviding firm footing for the athletes and by cushioning theirimpact from falls, tackles or slides. These standards are theminimum inputs required to provide such a surface. Variouspublished guides have been used in the development of t
13、hisstandard (1-8).34.2 Field conditions may directly influence the frequencyand type of athletic injuries occurring as a result of using thefields. While these standards do not guarantee that such injurieswill be prevented, a well maintained turf on a natural playingsurface should minimize field-rel
14、ated injuries.5. Apparatus5.1 GeneralExperience and good judgment are importantto match the proper type of equipment to the nature of the taskto be performed.5.1.1 Mowing EquipmentMower types include reel, ro-tary, and flail; although the latter type is not recommended for1This guide is under the ju
15、risdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on SportsEquipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.64 onNatural Playing Surfaces.Current edition approved June 10, 2003. Published June 2003.2For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Custo
16、mer Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end ofthis standard.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P
17、O Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.fine playing surfaces. A reel mower should be used for playingsurfaces requiring mowing at less than 2.5 cm (1.0 in.). Mowerblades should always be kept sharp and properly adjusted inaccordance to manufacturers recommendations. Mowingequipm
18、ent should be operated in a speed range (ground andengine speed) consistent with the manufacturers recommen-dation.5.1.2 SpreadersSpreaders are necessary if dry fertilizer orpest control materials are to be applied. Spreader types mayinclude drop, rotary (centrifugal, spinner), or oscillating.Spread
19、ers should be calibrated to deliver the desired, labeled,or recommended rate of fertilizer or pest control product beingapplied.5.1.3 SprayersSprayers are necessary if liquid fertilizersor pest control materials are to be applied. Low pressuresystems are recommended. Sprayers should be calibrated to
20、deliver the desired, labeled, or recommended rate of fertilizeror pest control product being applied.5.1.4 Core CultivatorsCore cultivation (aerification, cor-ing) equipment relieves soil surface compaction. Core cultiva-tors should be of the type that physically removes soil, such asa hollow tine o
21、r spoon. Cultivators with 1.3 to 1.9 cm (12 to34in.) tines on spacing not more than 15 cm (6 in.) should be usedon all playing surfaces. Spikers, slicers, or similar types ofequipment are not as effective for relieving surface compac-tion. In addition to soil compaction found immediately atsurface,
22、the mechanical aeration practices may be performedsuch that the aeration tines penetrate to a depth sufficient todisrupt compacted layers. The effectiveness of such practiceswill depend upon equipment capabilities and adjustment.5.1.5 SeedersBroadcast or slit seeders should be used forany overseedin
23、g or renovation operations. Slit seeders cut agroove into the soil and deposit the seed in the groove at apredetermined depth. To achieve the same results, broadcastseeders will require a higher rate of seed application due to lesseffective seed-to-soil contact. Additionally, a broadcast seededfield
24、 will generally require more irrigation to effectivelygerminate seed compared to slit seeded fields. Seeding of baresoils can be accomplished by broadcast seeders, drop seeders,or slit seeders but each method will require a mulch foreffective germination. Hydroseeding methods can be usedeffectively
25、to apply seed and mulch in a hydroslurry to a baresoil surface but is not effective as a winter overseeding practiceon existing turf.5.1.6 Irrigation System or EquipmentIdeally some sourceof water should be available for irrigation. Systems can rangefrom portable or permanently installed types.5.1.7
26、 Soil Sampling TubeUsed to sample soils for testingpurposes.6. Mowing6.1 Mowing (General)The periodic removal of excessshoot growth is necessary on natural surface playing fields.6.2 Mowing HeightThe mowing height of a natural sur-face athletic field will vary with the sport, turfgrass species,and t
27、ime of the year.Adjust mowing heights accordingly, usingthe chart below:Sports Field Use Grass Species Mowing HeightBaseball/Cricket Infields,Field Hockey Fieldshybrid bermudagrass,zoysiagrass, orseashore paspalum6.4to19mm(0.25 to 0.75 in.)Baseball/Cricket/SoftballOutfields; Soccer, Football,Lacross
28、e, Polo, andRugby Fields; Intramuraland Multiple-use Fieldshybrid bermudagrass,zoysiagrass, orseashore paspalum;19 to 38 mm(0.75 to 1.5 in.)common bermudagrass,kikuyagrass;38 to 64 mm(1.5 to 2.5 in.)bahiagrass 64 to 102 mm(2.5 to 4 in.)NOTE 1Adjustments in mowing height should be made to accommo-dat
29、e the sport using the field. Mowing heights should be increased by25 % when the fields are not being used, or when the mowing height doesnot influence the game. A modest increase in mowing height addsphotosynthetic leaf area to the turf canopy and may increase turf healthand assist recovery rates of
30、 worn fields.6.3 Mowing FrequencyFields should be mowed as oftenas necessary. No more than13 of the leaf surface should be cutoff at any one mowing. Under normal growing conditions, thisusually means every 5 to 7 days for fields maintained at 3.8 cm(1.5 in.) or higher, and two or three times a week
31、for baseballinfields and other closely mowed fields.6.4 Clipping RemovalFields maintained at a mowingheight of 2.5 cm (1 in.) or higher do not require that theclippings be removed at mowing if mowed at the properfrequency interval. Only remove clippings if the grass isallowed to grow excessively hig
32、h so that clippings wouldaccumulate on the playing field surface. Playing surfacesmaintained at one inch or shorter should have the clippingsremoved with each mowing.6.5 Mowing PatternMowing direction should be variedwith each successive mowing. Striping of fields due to mowingdirection can be accom
33、plished with one or two mowings priorto an event.NOTE 2Seashore paspalum is the only warm-season turf that willproduce a significant striping effect. Overseeded cool-season turfs mayalso produce a striping effect.7. Fertilization7.1 Fertilization (General)Fertilization is essential formaintaining de
34、nse, vigorously growing natural turfgrass fields.Fertilizer rate, timing, source, and ratio will influence a naturalturfs density, color, uniformity, and recuperative ability, aswell as its ability to tolerate wear, biological and environmentalstresses.7.2 Soil TestingSoil testing should be performe
35、d on es-tablished fields every three to four years. More frequent testing(once or more per year) may be required on sand-based fieldsor those having nutritional imbalances. Soil testing will iden-tify nutrient deficiencies that may be corrected by supplementalfertilizer applications or by fertilizer
36、 selection. Soil testing willalso identify changes needed in soil reaction (pH).7.2.1 SamplingA representative sample should be takenfrom each field. Using a soil sampling tube, pull out about 50random samples per acre of turf, and combine them to obtaina representative sample. Samples should be tak
37、en from the soilsurface to a depth of 51 to 102 mm (2 to 4 in.).F22690327.2.2 Remove the thatch and any stones or debris.7.2.3 Thoroughly mix the cores and pull a one pint 0.5 L (1pt) sample from the composite to submit to the testing lab.7.2.4 Provide as much information to the lab as possible,incl
38、uding the use of the area, grass species, past fertilizationhistory, irrigation or not, clipping removal or not, age of thefield, and other information the lab may request.7.2.5 Submit the samples to a state or commercial soiltesting lab. Maintain records of samples submitted, to includesampling dat
39、e, soil testing lab, and results.7.3 Soil Reaction (pH)Ideally, soil pH should be main-tained in a range of 6.0 to 7.0, although acceptable turf can bemaintained outside this range with careful management ofplant nutrients.7.3.1 Lime should be applied as per soil test recommenda-tions to increase so
40、il pH. Lime materials may include pulver-ized or granular limestone, pelletized limestone, and hydratedlime. Use dolomitic liming materials if there is a need foradditional magnesium in the soil. Apply lime in spring and/orfall until the desired pH is attained.7.3.2 Apply no more than 4900 kg per he
41、ctare of limestone(100 lbs/1000 ft2) application.Apply no more than 3675 kg perhectare of hydrated lime (75 lbs/1000 ft2) per application.7.3.3 Elemental sulfur or ammonium based fertilizers canbe used to decrease soil pH.Apply elemental sulfur at a rate notto exceed 245 kg per hectare (5 lbs/1000 f
42、t2) in the spring andfall until the desired soil pH is reached.7.4 Fertilizer Rate and Nitrogen SourcesWarm-seasonplaying surfaces (except Seashore paspalum) should receivefertilizer at a rate to deliver no less than 25 kg N per hectare(about12 lb of actual nitrogen per 1000 ft2) per growing month.P
43、otassium is generally required at about13 to12 of the nitrogenfertility rate or about 100 to 150 kg per hectare (about 2 to 3 lbsof potassium per 1000 ft2) per year. Seashore paspalum willrequire only 100 to 150 kg per hectare (about 2 to 3 lbs ofnitrogen per 1000 ft2) per year but an approximately
44、equalamount of potassium. The need for higher rates will bedependent on climatic and soil conditions, irrigation practices,and intensity of use. Many warm-season soils contain or retain,or both, adequate amounts of phosphorus. Phosphorus appli-cations should be made based upon recommendations from s
45、oiltesting.7.4.1 Quick-release nitrogen sources such as ammoniumphosphates, ammonium nitrate, urea, or ammonium sulfateshould be applied at rates not to exceed 50 kg actual N perhectare (about 1 lb of actual nitrogen per 1000 ft2) perapplication. Slow-release forms of nitrogen such as sulfur-coated
46、urea, IBDU, ureaform, polymer coated urea, polymer/sulfur coated urea, and natural organics may be applied athigher rates less frequently through the year, and are preferredfor use on sandy soils or sand-based rootzone constructions.Many turfgrass fertilizers contain a combination of both quick-and
47、slow-release nitrogen sources, and are usually applied at arate of 50 kg actual N per hectare (about 1 lb of actual nitrogenper 1000 ft2). A fertilizer containing quick and slow releasenitrogen sources should be used on Bahiagrass.7.4.2 Starter fertilizers (see 7.6.1) applied at the time ofoverseedi
48、ng should be applied at a rate necessary to deliver 25kg actual N per hectare (about12 lb of actual nitrogen per 1000ft2).7.5 Fertilization TimingThe dates of a fertilizer applica-tion should be adjusted to suit schedules and environmentalconditions. Nitrogen is the main plant nutrient affecting tim
49、ing.In general, apply moderate amounts of fertilizer when warm-season grasses are coming out of dormancy in late winter andearly spring. Applications in mid-spring through mid summerwill enhance growth, density, and green color; this correspondswith the season of maximum growth potential. Moderate ratesof fertilizer should be applied in late summer to mid-fall; thisbeing the period when grasses are hardening off prior to winterdormancy. If areas are overseeded with cool-season grasses,fertilize with a starter fertilizer at the time of overseeding andt
