Turf covering for sport season elongation cause no stress for grass species as detected by Chl a fluorescence

Abstract

Abstract In cooler regions of the temperate climate, there is a need to extend the football grounds accessibility beyond the natural grass vegetation season due to the football season set by UEFA from mid-February to mid-December. Turf covering is one of the methods that can be used. As this may be associated with abiotic and biotic stresses: reduction of cold resistance and development of fungal diseases, chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements were used as a method for early stress assessment and detection of grass reaction to covering. Three varieties from each of three species: perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and red fescue (Festuca rubra L.), were sown in three replications for 3-year long experiment, during which aside from the regular treatments, plots were covered with a white polypropylene cloth for 53 days at the turn of winter and spring and for 37 days in autumn. Observations performed each month included: visual turf quality assessment with parallel measurements of chlorophyll index and chlorophyll a fluorescence. Chlorophyll index gave information about the greenness of the turf whereas fluorescence transient enabled comparison of the physiological status of plants and evaluation of whether grass covering caused a stress. In general, covering improved turf quality, which was noticeable not only during the covering but throughout the season, as assessed visually and by detectors, especially in November. Turf covering extended grass vegetation without large financial outlays, opposite to the case of the optional turf heating. Based on results of chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements it was shown, that adequate protection of the turf caused no stress, which could reduce its quality. The popularization of such a protection system could affect decisions for the creation of a local all-seasons outdoor sport facilities and through it, influence both the green space in the urban environment as well as dissemination of sport and physical culture.