Synthetic turf is a manufactured product that utilizes synthetic fibers mimic the aesthetic look of natural grass. While designed to imitate turf, does not provide ecosystem benefits system. This publication examines properties in relation each FFL’s nine principles. A new UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department; 4 pages.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep612

Plant growth regulator (PGR) technology is poorly understood by a majority of golf turf managers. PGRs are touted as tools for reducing mowing, controlling annual bluegrass and increasing green speed. PGRs recommended for use on high quality (or Class A type) turf generally inhibit cell elongation for a period of time (weeks). The process of regulating cell elongation includes the synthesis of ...

The primary purpose of this study was to characterize the concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOC), semivolatile organic compounds (SVOC), rubber-related chemicals such as benzothiazole (BZT) and nitrosamine, and particulate matter (PM(10)) in air at synthetic turf crumb rubber fields. Both new and older fields were evaluated under conditions of active use. Three types of fields were ...

During a baseball game, the ball will strike the playing surface at a variety of speeds and angles. The speed at which the ball travels after impact with the playing surface has been referred to as the pace of the surface. Wide variations in pace can reduce the safety and playability of baseball field surfaces. Pace can be quantified by measuring the coefficient of restitution. The coefficient ...

Although many coral reefs have shifted from coral-to-algal dominance, the consequence of such a transition for coral-algal interactions and their underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. At the microscale, it is unclear how diffusive boundary layers (DBLs) and surface oxygen concentrations at the coral-algal interface vary with algal competitors and competitiveness. Using field observati...

Various N fertilizer sources are available for lawn turf. Few field studies, however, have determined the losses of nitrate (NO(3)-N) from lawns receiving different formulations of N fertilizers. The objectives of this study were to determine the differences in NO(3)-N leaching losses among various N fertilizer sources and to ascertain when losses were most likely to occur. The field experiment...

BACKGROUND Evaluating shoes during sport-related movements may provide a better assessment of plantar loads associated with repetitive injury and provide more specific data for comparing shoe cushioning characteristics. HYPOTHESIS Accelerating, cutting, and jumping pressures will be higher than in straight running, differentiating regional shoe cushioning performance in sport-specific movemen...