Effects of artificial trampling on soilfree turf substrate

The effects of trampling stress on different soilfree turf substrates were studied in this study. The results showed that, a reasonable soilfree turf medium can improve the capacity of resistance to trampling and ornamental value of turfgrass. In this study, both the turfgrass growth substrate layer and elastic material layer in soilfree substrates were 25 mm, and individual. They had a reasonable structure and thickness, which could overcome the shortcomings of thick substrate and low waterholding capacity. Under the same trampling stress, the soilfree turfs had a higher turfgrass height, plant coverage and number of tillers than that of normal turf, and the highest vales were 51.4 cm, 97.60%, and 123 tillerdm-2, respectively. Besides, the soilfree turfs could recover in a shot time after stopping trampling. However, for the same thickness, the substrate mixed turfgrass growth substrate layer and elastic material layer together had a lower ability of resistance to trampling. The soil substrate was the worst. So substrates with a individual turfgrass growth substrate layer and elastic material layer, and a reasonable thickness are fit to produce good soilfree turfs with a high capacity of resistance to trampling stress.