Compaction on a cricket outfield, caused by intensive play and heavy maintenance equipment, is the biggest single problem encountered on sports pitches today
conditions. However, when fibre builds up to an excessive degree it becomes a problem. A few millimetres of thatch in most cricket outfields is acceptable, whilst a layer of 25mm or more would become troublesome.
Thatch is water retentive throughout most of the year and smells strongly of decay and stagnation. It is yellow/brown in colour with black streaks showing the activity of the anaerobic bacteria. The underlying soil is wet or saturated, compacted and usually on clay with restricted drainage. Organic matter accumulation may, therefore, be caused by excessive production or insufficient decomposition of grass clippings. In the case of sportsturf, excessive fertiliser treatments increase production. Where a thatch problem has developed, deeper scarification should be adopted. Ideally, a tractor mounted rotary unit with collecting facility should
be used, as this will remove a large majority of material in a single pass. If
this is not available, then a pedestrian unit can be perfectly adequate if used on the area immediately behind the cricket table. A tractor mounted rake or short toothed harrow will also suffice. Where the problem of thatch is particularly severe, then a more drastic approach is required. The process of koroing, the removal of all vegetation and organic matter built up in the surface is an expensive and costly exercise.
A cheaper option of hollow coring is
more practicable, but may take many years. This will incorporate the use of hollow tining, the physical removal of cores containing thatch. The cores should then be collected up and disposed of or recycled as compost. A dressing of medium fine sands worked into the profile will also help to break down any thatch build up at the base of the sward. This will also assist in air
movement and nutrients being made available to the plants root system and promote a healthier sward. Compaction on a cricket outfield, caused by intensive play and heavy maintenance equipment, is the biggest single problem encountered on sports pitches today. Grass roots grow in the pore spaces created between soil particles and, when these spaces are reduced by surface compaction, the roots are deprived of oxygen, water and nutrients, resulting in a weak, shallow root structure. Without strong root growth, the grass becomes weak and sparse and is prone to excessive wear and vulnerable to turf disease.
Deep seated compaction can also lead to drainage problems. If this is the case, then the only remedy is to carry out deep, solid tine aeration, penetrating to a depth of 250-400mm with 25mm tines. This will create fissure breaks in the underlying soils and allow water movement through the soil profile. Further deep aeration should follow during the winter months, with the use
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