THE RESEARCH PLAYBOOK
Assessing application error on sports fields across varying levels of sprayer technology and operator experience
Figure 1 . The experienced operator making an application using the GNSS sprayer at Veterans Park
By Weston Floyd , CSFM , Megan Muesse , Hailey Tucker , Opeyemi Alabi , Jacob Winger and Chase Straw , Ph . D ., Department of Soil and Crop Sciences , Texas A & M University
The demand for precise input application and operational efficiency in turfgrass has driven the development of Global Navigation Satellite System ( GNSS ) -equipped sprayers , which offer several advantages over conventional systems . Features such as individual nozzle control and automated operation within preset boundaries reduce the need for manual boom control , while enhancements such as sub-centimeter precision correction and autosteer further minimize human error .
Despite these benefits , GNSS sprayers have seen limited adoption in the broader turfgrass industry , with increased interest primarily in the golf course sector . Early adopters report benefits such as reduced treated area , shorter application times , less reliance on operator expertise , and improved accuracy . However , testimonials remain scarce in sports field management , where skepticism about the technology ’ s value persists .
As the sports field management industry increasingly embraces sustainable practices and faces rising labor costs , the demand for technological solutions is expected to grow . Overcoming hesitancy toward new technologies will require extensive demonstrations to promote adoption . Currently , there is limited unbiased data on the benefits of GNSS-equipped sprayers for sports field managers .
This research aims to fill that gap by quantifying application errors on sports fields using different sprayer technologies and operator experience levels . The hypothesis is that as technology advances , discrepancies in misses , overlaps and overspray will decrease , reducing the total sprayed area and minimizing differences between experienced and inexperienced operators .
STUDY DESIGN , EQUIPMENT AND APPLICATION PROCESS Research was conducted from winter 2022 to summer 2023 in College Station , Texas , at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex and Southwood Athletic Park . Identical studies were performed on softball / baseball and soccer fields at both locations . Using a crossover design , six treatments — manual , GNSS , and GNSS + autosteer sprayer technologies , each operated by both experienced and inexperienced operators — were applied to three fields of each type at both locations . Each field received all six treatments to evaluate technology performance across operator skill levels .
34 SportsField Management | November 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com