EFFECTS OF OVERSEEDING TIMES ON DIFFERENT A SEASON TURFGASSES: VISUAL ASSESSMENT AND PLAYING QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS

The only negative environmental impact to adaptability and sustainability of warm season turfgrass species in sport fields are temperature in their dormancy period during the winter season. Overseeding is the practice of seeding cool season turfgrass into warm season turfgrass late in its growing season prior to the onset of this dormancy. This 2-year study was conducted in the research fields of Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University, Izmir/Turkey in Mediterranean climatic conditions during 20142(116 years. The objective of research was to evaluate the effects of different overseeding times (September 15, September 30, October 15 and October 30) on some warm season turfgrass species (Cynodon clactylon cv. SR9554. Cynodon clactylon x Cynodon transvaalensis cv. Tifway-419, Paspalum vaginatum cv. Sea Spray and Zoysia japonica cv. Zenith) in terms of visual assessment and some playing quality characteristics. For this purpose, dark green colour index (DGCI), ball rebound (cm). force reduction (A)) and vertical deformation (mm) traits were determined. According to results, the best overseeding time was found October 15 in Mediterrenean ecology. In terms of DGCI trait, which are in strong agreement with visual assessment, the highest values were obtained from overseeding applications on Paspalum vaginatum and Cynodon ciactylon x Cynodon transvaalensis species. All playing quality characteristics' values of different overseeding times performed on all warm season turfgrass species were found between the lower and upper limit values of the FIFA standards. It has been concluded that warm season turfgrass species can be used successfully in sports fields by overseeding with Lolium perenne L. during winter.