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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(5); 811; doi: 10.3390/ani13050811

Warm Season Turfgrass Equine Sports Surfaces: An Experimental Comparison of the Independence of Simple Measurements Used for Surface Characterization.

Abstract: Turfgrass in equine sports has clear advantages over other types of reinforcement but adds complexity to the management. This study investigates factors that influence the turfgrass' surface performance and how the use of a drainage package and a geotextile reinforcement affect quantitative measurements of turfgrass. The measurements are made using affordable, lightweight testing tools that are readily available or easily constructed. Eight boxes with turfgrass over a mix of the arena with peat at a consistent depth were tested for volumetric moisture content (VMC %) with time-domain reflectometry (TDR), the rotational peak shear device (RPS), the impact test device (ITD), soil cone penetrometer (SCP), and the Going Stick (GS). Results obtained using TDR, RPS, ITD, SCP, and GS indicate that the presence of the geotextile and drainage package was mainly detected by VMC (%), SCP detected geotextile addition, and GS detected the interaction of geotextile × drainage package. Linear regression showed SCP and GS are related to geotextile and was positively correlated between them and negatively with VMC (%). The testing showed some limitations of these devices, mainly related to moisture content and sod composition, but the potential exists to utilize these devices for quality control as well as for the monitoring of maintenance of the surfaces when controlling the range of both VMC (%) and sod constitution.
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Publication Date: 2023-02-23 PubMed ID: 36899668PubMed Central: PMC10000090DOI: 10.3390/ani13050811Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study assesses the effect of using a drainage system and geotextile reinforcement on turfgrass surfaces typically used in equine sports. Through a series of consistent tests, researchers find that measures of performance are interconnected and often influenced by moisture content and the physical constitution of the turfgrass.

Objective of the Study

  • The primary aim of this research study was to identify and analyze the factors that influence the performance of turfgrass surfaces used in equine sports. More specifically, the researchers aimed to investigate how the use of a drainage package and a geotextile reinforcement affect the turfgrass surface’s quantitative performance measurements.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted their tests on eight boxes, each containing turfgrass over a mix of the arena with peat maintained at the same depth.
  • Five testing tools or apparatus were utilized for this study. Some of these are easy-to-use, light, and readily available, while others are more specialized and had to be constructed specifically for the study.
  • These tools consisted of time-domain reflectometry (TDR) to test volumetric moisture content (VMC %), a rotational peak shear device (RPS), an impact test device (ITD), a soil cone penetrometer (SCP), and the Going Stick (GS).

Results of the Study

  • The results obtained from these tests indicate that the presence of geotextile and a drainage package mainly affected the measurements taken using TDR, SCP, and GS.
  • More specifically, the VMC (%) was predominantly influenced by the presence of the drainage package and geotextile reinforcement. SCP detected the addition of geotextile, while GS identified the interaction between geotextile and the drainage package.
  • Further data analysis showed that SCP and GS measures are related to the geotextile presence and positively correlated between them, while they are negatively correlated with VMC (%).

Implications and Recommendations

  • The results of the study provide some insight into the potential limitations linked to the moisture content and the composition of the sod when conducting these tests.
  • Despite these limitations, the researchers believe there is a potential to apply these types of testing tools for quality control processes and to monitor surface maintenance by controlling the range of VMC (%) and the physical constitution of the turfgrass.

Cite This Article

APA
Blanco MA, Di Rado FN, Peterson MM. (2023). Warm Season Turfgrass Equine Sports Surfaces: An Experimental Comparison of the Independence of Simple Measurements Used for Surface Characterization. Animals (Basel), 13(5), 811. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13050811

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 5
PII: 811

Researcher Affiliations

Blanco, María Alejandra
  • Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, Lexington, KY 40502, USA.
  • Faculty of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina, Buenos Aires 1300, Argentina.
Di Rado, Facundo Nicolas
  • School of Engineering, Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Moron, Moron 1708, Argentina.
Peterson, Michael Mick
  • Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, Lexington, KY 40502, USA.
  • Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40503, USA.

Grant Funding

  • PI3-18-06-MB-005 / Universidad de Moru00f3n
  • xx-2019 / Racing Surface Testing Laboratory

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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