Species composition and management of winter sports fields

Abstract Results are presented from trials investigating the effects of species and management on winter sports fields. Perennial ryegrass was the species most resistant to artificial wear. A number of turf cultivars of ryegrass were, on average, as resistant as the coarser and taller-growing pasture types, with the advantage for management purposes of being easier to mow. Species in mixed swards reacted to wear as was expected from the pure sward results. Changes in the composition of mixed swards with time indicated that, in the absence of wear, browntop would dominate ryegrass. Wear is therefore an important factor in maintaining a high level of ryegrass in a turf. No effect of soil water content was obtained at the levels of wear investigated; this is contrary to general experience. Regular close mowing (19 mm) produced a denser and more wear-resistant turf than infrequent lax mowing (150/38 mm). Grass length at time of treatment had an effect on damage and recovery under lax mowing.