Module 6:

6.5 Module summary & recall

6.5.1 Module summary

1   This module has covered a wide range of turf science subjects which have helped provide a solid basis to understanding many of the connections between science and turf quality.

Key features for identifying grasses, as well as how to identify the two main grasses commonly found on football pitches: Perennial ryegrass, which is the main desirable grass, and annual meadow grass which is an undesirable grass.

Turf problems and their controls focused on the more common weeds, pests, diseases and disorders of football pitches, although there are many others which could be encountered, but these would typically be much less likely or rarely compared with what was covered. Reducing the likelihood of these problems through Integrated Pest Management / Integrated Turf Management and a wider systematic approach provides ideas to manage turf in a way that starts to embrace the principles of sustainability.

2   Soil science provided an introduction to and further exploration of plant nutrients, identifying macronutrients and micronutrients, along with five key nutrients that are more commonly required from fertilisers for most turfgrass situations: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, and Iron.

For fertilisers we looked at fertiliser origin, release rates, labelling - in particular how to interpret the oxides of Phosphate and Potash, and convert them to their nutrient element, the formulation for how fertilisers might be supplied, the different types of fertiliser, and some of the factors that can influence fertiliser uptake. An exercise was carried out looked at creating your own fertiliser programme using an interactive model, and we also described how much fertiliser a pitch might require.

We next looked at soil pH; its meaning, measurement and importance, as well as how it might be changed and influence on nutrient availability and pitch quality.

3   The third part of this module described soil and its composition, introducing the soil textural triangle used in the UK. The potential impact soils might have on the number of games that might reasonably be played on a pitch was also described, along with the particle size ranges used within many top-dressing specifications along with the typical size ranges for sand used on football pitches.

The meaning of Cation Exchange Capacity of soils was also described to help better understand how some nutrients are retained within a soil and why some soils are more fertile than others.

4   The final section of this module provided a brief overview of pitch construction, design and a reflection on carrying capacity of pitches and how this term might be reconsidered to better understand the likelihood of estimating the number of games that might be played on a pitch for a defined grade of pitch quality.

Now that you have completed this quite extensive module you have a good opportunity to find out how much effective learning has taken place.

Have a go at the next section, which is 'Module recall'. This has 24 multiple choice questions, split into two separate sections, to help you in your learning journey. Good luck.