EFFECT OF CUTTING HEIGHTS ON THE TURF AND PLAYING QUALITY TRAITS OF SOME TURF ALTERNATIVES IN A MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to detect the agronomic and sports field characteristics of some turf type tall fescue and traditional cool season sports turf mixture mowed at different heights in a Mediterranean environment. The trial was carried out in the experimental fields of Bayindir Vocational School, Izmir (Turkey), using three different turf alternatives under 12, 22 and 32 mm mowing height regime. Visual turf quality, texture and weed invasion traits were determined and shock absorption and vertical deformation were also measured as playing quality parameters for sports turf. Turf alternatives of tall fescue except traditional cool season sports turf mixture showed an adaptation to low mowing height which increased shoot density and promoted a finer leaf texture. Shock absorption and vertical deformation traits were significantly affected by mowing heights; the highest value was recorded for the lowest mowing heights. Nevertheless, a good sports field quality was determined for the tall fescue and tall fescue + perennial ryegrass plots. The results of the present work showed that tall fescue, if maintained at low mowing height regime, could provide a dense and fine textured turf suitable for sport fields with a high visual turf quality