Overseeding Sports Fields
How effective is over-seeding on high traffic areas? Is the practice of over-seeding a waste of money if there is no grow-in time for the seed between field use? Clearly, the alternative to over-seeding high traffic areas is to do nothing at all, save the money and play on mud.
Research on overseeding high traffic areas was undertaken by Dr. Frank Rossi at Cornell University*. The research area was not irrigated, received 10 g/m2 N over the year and was subjected to simulated traffic 5 days/week. Following is an overview of those results:
- Non-overseeded plots were less than 50% covered with turf and in some cases 20% weeds.
- Among the species, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) had lower density than perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)species without overseeding.
- Overseeding with Kentucky bluegrass proved completely ineffective under regular traffic.
- Weekly overseeding with either perennial ryegrass or tall fescue at 30g/M2 provided excellent season long turf density. Perennial ryegrass was able to maintain 90% density when overseeded weekly.
- There was no difference between the 30 and 50 g/M2 rate.* Monthly overseeding of perennial ryegrass provided equal to or better density than the weekly tall fescue overseeding, independent of seed rate.
Reference:
Dr. Frank Rossi "Field Renovation via Overseeding", Cornell University Turfgrass Times, Summer 2002