Articles
MINERAL NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS FOR BERMUDA GRASS GROWN ON A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER FIELD
Article number
843_15
Pages
129 – 136
Language
English
Abstract
The efficient use of irrigation water and turf nutrition in sports fields requires the development of a management program oriented to attain both, esthetics (plant density, color and height) and sustainability.
The hydroponic system under study consisted in a professional soccer field made up of sand and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon). A turf nutrition and irrigation program was developed from plant nutrient removal analysis, dry matter accumulation growth data and plant water use calculations.
Turf growth, measured as dry matter accumulation was adjusted using a three parameter sigmoid model (R2=0.981). By deriving the growth equation the maximum daily rate of dry matter accumulation was 0.579 g m-2 day-1. Calculation of daily water evapotranspiration rate was 4.29 mm day-1. The developed hydroponics management protocol suggests that the amounts of macronutrients (g) that should be applied to the sport field per week per m2 must be: N, 1.74; P, 0.184; K, 0.83; Ca, 0.576 and Mg, 0.266 Along with macronutrients, the quantities of micronutrients (in mg) should include Cu, 0.361; Fe, 1.87; Mn, 1.53 and Zn, 2.25. Split doses of macronutrient and micronutrient solutions into three equal fractions for the first three irrigations each week is recommended.
The hydroponic system under study consisted in a professional soccer field made up of sand and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon). A turf nutrition and irrigation program was developed from plant nutrient removal analysis, dry matter accumulation growth data and plant water use calculations.
Turf growth, measured as dry matter accumulation was adjusted using a three parameter sigmoid model (R2=0.981). By deriving the growth equation the maximum daily rate of dry matter accumulation was 0.579 g m-2 day-1. Calculation of daily water evapotranspiration rate was 4.29 mm day-1. The developed hydroponics management protocol suggests that the amounts of macronutrients (g) that should be applied to the sport field per week per m2 must be: N, 1.74; P, 0.184; K, 0.83; Ca, 0.576 and Mg, 0.266 Along with macronutrients, the quantities of micronutrients (in mg) should include Cu, 0.361; Fe, 1.87; Mn, 1.53 and Zn, 2.25. Split doses of macronutrient and micronutrient solutions into three equal fractions for the first three irrigations each week is recommended.
Authors
H. Rodríguez-Fuentes, K. Acuña-Askar, J.A. Vidales-Contreras, J. Rodríguez-Absi, G. Jiménez-García, M.A. López-Jiménez
Keywords
Cynodon dactylon Rich, sports turf, hydroponics, growth modeling, fertilization, consumptive use
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