Study On Prolonging The Grass Growing Season On Athletic Field In Winter In Northern China

In order to solve the problem that turfgrasses on athletic field turn yellow in winter, several soil heating systems were studied . Five indices were measured , including 10cm-deep soil temperature photosynthesis rate, topgrowth rate, comprehensive evaluation on color, density, and quality of turfgrass, and the late growth of turfgrass. The result show: The 10cm-deep soil temperature in all the treatments were significantly higher than control and air temperature . That was 3-5 0Cin average higher than control during December to February. The 10cm-deep soil temperature was higher under the method of heating water (sun energy) with plastic cover than single plastic cover and electric cables with plastic cover. Removing the plastic cover 12 hours/week(8 -20 olock) produced better effects on warming turfground than no removing and 12 hours/day removing treatment. The turfgrass kept green in winter under all the treatments. The photosynthesis rate and growth rate were higher than that under control. The single plastic cover treatment was the best method for warming turfground in winter due to its efficiency, simple operation and low cost of 4.90 yun/m2. As for 10cm-deep soil temperature, the heating water (by sun energy) with plastic cover was the best treatment, but the cost was also the highest (14.69 yun/m2). The cost of electric cables with plastic cover treatment was 8.97 yun/m2. All the treatments had strong growth advantage compared with natural turfs and no bad effects appeared in late growth season.