Application of plant fibers in sports turf rootzone

In order to solve the problem of the lack of stability of the sand-based sports turf at the beginning of its operation, the feasibility of using three plant fiber wastes (waste cotton, wheat straw and coconut chaff) as reinforcement material for turf rootzone was analyzed in this trial. The trial turf was planted with Kentucky bluegrass (Poa Pratensis) sod. Taking the pure sand rootzone substrate (CK) as control, 1% waste cotton (T₁), 1% wheat straw (T₂), and 1% coir dust (T₃) were mixed into the rootzone according to the mass ratio to study the effects of each rootzone substrate on the appearance quality, soil conditions and playing quality of the turf. The results showed that compared with CK treatment, T₁, T₂ and T₃ treatment could improve turf color, tillering and appearance quality, among which T₃ treatment was the best, followed by T₂ treatment. T₁, T₂ and T₃ treatments can improve soil moisture content, compaction and shear strength, of which T₃ treatment can significantly increase soil moisture content and shear strength (P < 0.05), while T₁ treatment can significantly increase soil compaction and shear strength (P < 0.05). The playing quality of turf (rotational traction performance, surface hardness, resilience) in all treatments conformed to the quality evaluation standards for the sports turf. These results showed that waste cotton, wheat straw and coir dust can be used as reinforcement materials for sand-based sports turf rootzones, and the treatment by mixing 1% waste cotton in the rootzone (T₁) has the best reinforcement effect, which is worthy of popularizing and applying in the establishment of sports turf.