A term used to describe different types of artificial, non-grass surfaces. They are not actually “all weather”, as a frozen, snow covered surface would not be played on, particularly from a health and safety perspective.
1. A detailed examination of the findings of an assessment.
2. A statement of the findings of an assessment, soil test, observation, or similar event.
The structure of a plant, looking at the internal features, particularly the cells and their assemblage into tissues.
A plant that completes its life cycle within one year.
See Poa annua.
Colletotrichum graminicola. A fairly common disease of annual meadow grass in compacted fine turf areas.
A person, typically a novice, who is learning a trade, normally in a formal working environment, and who will become a skilled worker upon successful completion of the apprenticeship.
The scientific study of past societies through artefacts, fossils, etc.
1. Estimating the composition of something. For example the size and amount of different species within a turf area. By carrying out an appropriate number of assessments on an area, e.g. a cricket square, a groundskeeper / turf manager will be able to analyse the results to enable informed decisions to be made for maintaining the area to a good standard: Assessments are an important part of the Performance Quality Standards framework.
2. Providing a judgement of something. For example, (i) a portfolio presented by a student to an assessor; (ii) a health and safety risk assessment.
Acronym for American Society of Testing and Materials.
The retention of water within the ground (and the reduction of flood water).
Water that is held on the outer coating of soil particles and is freely available to the plant. It is the water which is retained in a soil between its field capacity and permanent wilting point.
Within the Performance Quality Standard framework, this is where a surface is designed within tight financial limitations and is for use at recreational level.
Reference or measurement standard used for comparison.
The continuous activity of identifying, understanding and adapting best practice and processes that will lead to superior performance.
Usually a term for the Bentgrasses, however, it is also applied to the flowering stem of perennial ryegrass, especially during the middle to end of summer when leaf growth has slowed due to a reduced water supply and the plant attempts to set seed.
This is about making arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which an organisations functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
A plant that completes its life cycle in two years. Vegetative growth is achieved in the first year, with flowering and seeding in the second year.
The main part of a grass leaf, also called lamina.
This is the name given to a layer formed in the soil profile under wet and anaerobic conditions. The formation of the black colour is due to the production of iron sulphide.
A layer of grit which acts as a filter at the interface between coarse and fine aggregate (e.g. gravel and sand).
The science of plants and plant life itself.
The bowling crease is the line through the centres of the three stumps at that end. It is 8 ft 8 in / 2.64 m in length, with the stumps in the centre.
Reference or measurement standard used for comparison.
Rhizoctonia solani. A turfgrass disease that may be increasing within the British Isles due to changing climate patterns.
The practice of moving a brush against the surface of a turf to lift non-vertical stolons and/or leaves before mowing to produce a uniform surface of erect leaves.
Bulk density is defined as the dry mass of soil per unit volume: it is how much a certain volume of soil weighs, including the pore spaces within the soil. The standard measurement is grams per cubic centimetre, or g cm-3.
Chemical symbol Ca. Soils usually contain adequate amounts of calcium. It can also form part of other fertiliser components, e.g. Superphosphate supplies Phosphorus, but also includes Calcium.
Movement of water between soil particles by virtue of surface tensional forces at the soil/particle interface and between the cells of any organism.
The level of recreation use an area can sustain without an unacceptable degree of deterioration of the character and quality of the resource or of the recreation experience. (Same as Sustainable Usage Level).
Soil and plant remains excreted and deposited by earthworms on the turf surface or in their burrows.
An implement comprising a series of vertical tines, loosely linked together, that is towed across the surface to improve surface aeration and surface uniformity.
Small white grubs with noticeable sets of front legs, which eat grass roots.
A thin tine, with a narrow blade which is broader at the end that penetrates the turf.
The green pigment in plants, which is vital for photosynthesis.
Particles with a diameter of less than 0.002 mm. They are plate like in shape.
A soil type containing 40% or more clay-sized particles.
The process in which the soil aggregates and individual soil particles are forced into closer proximity by the application of an external force.
This combines the knowledge, skills and understanding to be able to perform a task or job effectively to defined (national) standards and over a period of time.
A fertiliser which includes two or more main nutrients and results from a chemical process which combines the nutrients: It is only produced commercially.
An herbicide that kills weeds by direct contact rather than by translocation.
Species of turfgrass that, typically, have optimum growing temperatures of between 60 and 75°F. Common species include Agrostis, Festuca, Lolium and Poa, all of which are common to turfgrass areas within the British Isles.
A blend of sand, silt and clay tailored for use in the construction and maintenance of cricket tables.
A plant of a single species that differs from another in specific characters such as disease resistance, time of flowering, height of flowering culm, leaf width, and habit of growth. A cultivated variety of a species.
Remove an excessive thatch accumulation either (a) mechanically, as by vertical cutting, or (b) biologically, as by top dressing with suitable soil and aeration.
In this type of contract, the contractor is responsible for taking a concept developed by the employer (often set out in an ‘Employer’s Requirements’ document prepared by a consultant), completing the detailed design, and then pending the employer’s approval on the design, proceed with construction.
Surface moisture on grass leaves. This is usually caused by atmospheric moisture condensing onto leaves and/or by guttation.
A species or cultivar showing some degree of tolerance to a disease infection.
A piece of turf that has come detached from the sward through the action of a golf club, football boot etc.
Sclerotinia homoeocarpa. A small patch disease (with ‘circles’ being less than 25 mm diameter) of slender creeping red fescue.
Resting stage through which a plant or ripe seeds usually pass and during which nearly all outward signs of life come to an almost complete standstill.
A bristle drag (with bristles typically being 75-100 mm in length) which is about 2 m wide and is used for removing dew and worm casts and also for brushing grass upright prior to mowing.
A flexible steel mat, which is pulled along to work in top dressings, more particularly on undulating turf surfaces.
The natural or artificial removal of surface and subsurface water.
An alternative term for a ‘raft’ which is a layer of gravel or stone chippings typically constructed 300 mm beneath a sports field to provide a means of collecting excess drainage water.
Transported rock debris overlying solid bedrock.
There are different types of drought, two of which are of particular interest to a turf manager:
1. Agricultural drought.
2. Meteorological drought.
There are 3 types of fairy rings, each affecting turf in different ways:
Type 1: The most serious, which kills the affected turf and contaminates the soil. Mostly caused by Marasmius oreades.
Type 2: This produces green rings and occasional mushrooms and other fruiting bodies. It only really has a cosmetic effect on the turf which can be addressed by fertilising the sward or applying a turf tonic, depending upon the time of year.
Type 3: This produces fruiting bodies only and has a negligible effect on turf. All that is required is the picking of the fruiting bodies.
The application of essential plant nutrients to a grassed area.
This provides one or more essential plant nutrients to aid growth and health and can be applied to the turf surface or rootzone. The main fertiliser nutrients applied to turf are Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium, followed by Iron and occasionally Magnesium.
The percentage by weight of the components found in a fertiliser. For 3% Phosphoric Acid (P2O5) and 7% potash (K2O). This information must be stated on the package.
A ratio of the basic weights of the major nutrients found in a fertiliser. For example, a fertiliser ratio having an analysis of 18-6-6 would have a 3:1:1 ratio or 3 parts N to 1 part P2O5 and 1 part K2O.
The genus name for the fescue grasses. The main turfgrasses of this genus are: F. rubra ssp commutata; syn. F. nigrescens(Chewing’s fescue), F. rubra subspecies (ssp) litoralis or ssp pruinosa (Slender creeping red fescue), F. rubra ssp rubra (Strong creeping red fescue) and F. longifolia (Hard fescue), all of which are mostly used on fine turf areas.
Accumulation of dead plant material in various stages of decay, and living (possibly moribund) stems and root at the turf base. It is usually tough and wiry in texture.
Resting stage through which a plant or ripe seeds usually pass and during which nearly all outward signs of life come to an almost complete standstill.
Following drainage in a soil, which is typically 1 – 3 days after rainfall, this is the amount of water that remains in the soil profile and is the commencing point for the available water capacity. It is the maximum amount of water that a soil can retain against the force of gravity.
A term to describe the condition of soil when it is prone to crumbling rather than to deforming plastically.
Plants lacking chlorophyll that cannot produce their own food, parasitic forms cause turf diseases.The natural or artificial removal of surface and subsurface water.
Any chemical which controls or destroys the growth of a fungus.
Scientific name = Michrodochium nivale. The most destructive disease of fine turf areas, especially those dominated with annual meadow grass.
A science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks.
Chemical symbol Fe. This is only included in small amounts in turf fertilisers, usually as sulphate of iron. It helps to green up the grass without producing a flush of growth, as usually occurs following an application of nitrogen.
Essential elements which are required by the grass plant in a relatively large amount. Macro-nutrients include carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, which are obtained from the air and water; nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur are obtained from the soil solution. Iron is sometimes included as a macro-nutrient. Silicon can also be a significant component of turfgrasses, although it is not classed as an essential element.
A laboratory test of the strength of soil used for the top dressing or construction of cricket pitches.
Any food or material that nourishes or promotes plant growth.
