The Effects of Athletic-Field Paint Color on Net Photosynthesis and Canopy Temperature of Overseeded Perennial Ryegrass

A managers routinely paint playing surfaces for proper marking and aesthetics. Commonly, latex, waterbased paints specifically manufactured for turfgrass application are diluted at variable ratios with water before application (Reynolds et al., 2012). In the transition zone, bermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.) are most commonly used for sports-field playing surfaces (Christians, 2007). However, to maintain high quality and visually appealing playing surfaces during the dormant season, sports fields are typically overseeded with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.); therefore, the majority of play on sports fields occurs on overseeded perennial ryegrass. The goal of this research was to examine the effects of eight athletic-field paint colors on net photosynthesis (NP) and canopy temperature (CT) of overseeded perennial ryegrass. Research was conducted in 2012 and 2013 at the Oklahoma State University Turfgrass Research Center in Stillwater, OK. The experiment was conducted twice, and treatments were replicated three times in a randomized complete block. Plots consisted of ‘Patriot’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt Davy] with plot sizes of 7 × 4 ft. Plots were overseeded with ‘Palmer’s Pride Par 3’ perennial ryegrass on 26 Sept. 2012 at 20 lb/1000ft2 and on 17 Oct. 2012 at 10 lb/1000ft2 on a Norge Loam (Fine-silty, mixed, active, thermic Udic Paleustolls) with an average pH of 7.0. No precultivation methods were used before overseeding with a Lesco drop spreader (John Deere Landscapes, Alpharetta, GA). Plots were maintained at a mowing height of 2 inches with clippings returned but were not mowed during the 2 weeks immediately after paint application. Plots were also irrigated to prevent drought stress. Plots were fertilized with a 19-0-15 grade fertilizer (Anderson Contec, Maumee, OH) for a total of 4 lb N/1000ft2 throughout the research period. Paint applications were made to all plots on 15 Nov. 2012 (fall) and 14 Mar. 2013 (spring). Paint treatments consisted of Pioneer Brite Stripe Athletic Field Paint (Pioneer Athletics, Cleveland, OH) applied 1:1 water:paint, with paint colors Published in Applied Turfgrass Science DOI 10.2134/ATS-2014-0015-BR © 2014 American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison, WI 53711