THE RESEARCH PLAYBOOK

By Bryan Ogle , MS CSFM , Kyley Dickson , Ph . D ., and John Sorochan , Ph . D ., University of Tennessee

Figure 1

Sports field managers develop painting protocols that produce vivid markings without applying excessive amounts of paint that restrict plant growth or severely damage turfgrasses . The minimum required white markings for a NCAA college football field , for example , consist of 2,400 ft 2 . When these managers paint large end zone logos , mid-field logos , decorative boarders , and other special symbols , the area in which athletic field paint is applied can quickly increase to 11,840 -13,993 ft 2 . This higher amount of painted area often covers 15-20 % of the playing surface and requires multiple paint applications throughout the season . Therefore , the objective of this study is to determine if athletic field paint can be applied in lower volumes while obtaining the high brightness values producing clear and cost-effective applications .

Materials and methods

Treatments were selected upon review of a nationwide survey of athletic field managers regarding nozzle tips and pressures being used to apply paint ( Table 1 ). Beginning September 5 , 2015 and August 30 , 2016 , treatments were applied once per week , totaling eight applications , throughout a 13-week period mimicking a collegiate football home-game schedule in Knoxville , Tenn . Treatments were applied to established ‘ Tifway ’ ( Cynodon dactylon ( L .) Pers . x C . transvaalensis , Burtt- Davy ) bermudagrass .

The experimental design of the study was a randomized complete block with three replications . The 18 sample plots were 3 feet x 3 feet in size ( Figure 1 ). A Graco 3400 paint machine ( Graco North America , High Point , N . C .) was loaded with Pioneer Brite Stripe white paint

10 SportsField Management | December 2021 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com