Management of sports turf and amenity grasslands

Grasslands are significantly important vegetation resources that occupy about one-quarter of the earths vegetative surface. Whereas sports turf has been defined as a surface layer of vegetation, consisting of earth and a dense stand of grasses and roots, amenity grasslands have been defined as grasslands which provide recreational, functional, or aesthetic value, but which is not used primarily for agricultural production. Sports turf and amenity grassland management can vary in terms of the grass assets, function, composition, use and level of intensity and their annual cost of maintenance. The resources required to maintain the level of playing surface performance are described in terms of mowing, fertilizer application, irrigation, aeration, topdressing and plant protection procedures, as well as a means of effectively measuring player and playing surface performance