Many of our research ideas come from inventive grounds managers in the turfgrass industry. This project is a good example. Vince Patterozzi, Head Grounds Manager Baltimore Ravens, noticed that there was a difference in turf appearance when he used different color rain tarps. After two years of hearing this comment, Vince put it to me like this, "There is something going on with tarp color, you figure it out". He arranged with M Putterman & Company Inc. (800-621-0146) to send us several different samples of tarp colors. The study below is what developed from a very astute observation.

Objective: To determine if tarp color has any effect on turf growth and color.

The Putterman Rain Buster Athletic Field tarps used in this study were vinyl-coated polyester. These tarps are generally placed on the field temporarily and then removed when the rain event ends. Fields are generally covered for only a few hours, but in some cases a tarp may be left on the field for three days or longer. In 1999 two different studies were conducted on a mature stand of ‘Midnight’ Kentucky bluegrass. Five-foot by five-foot tarps of each tarp color were pinned to the ground in a randomized block design with 3 replications. Tarps were left in place for 105 consecutive days from 2 Dec 1999 to 17 March 2000 (Table 1). In a second study and a separate area, the tarps were placed for 35 consecutive days during spring green-up from 17 March to 20 April 2000 (Table 2.) Five-foot by five-foot tarps of each tarp color were pinned to the ground in a randomized block design with 3 replications. Turf color was rated on a scale of 1-10, 10 = darkest green and 1 = no green color, white/brown, and 6 = lowest acceptable color. Turf growth was rated on a scale of 1—10, 10 = most growth and 1 = no growth.

In all studies, tarp color had a dramatic effect on turf color. Yellow, orange, red, and white tarps produced the best turf color with ratings ranging between 6.5 and 10. When compared to the control, turf color was generally enhanced by tarp colors yellow, orange, red, and white. Tarp colors light blue, blue, and purple produced some yellowing that made them inferior to yellow, orange, red, and white. Tarp colors gray, light-green, dark-green, and black produce the most decrease in turf color and they were considered unacceptable. A Covermaster grow tarp and Enkamat were also included in the study even though they are not moisture prevention tarps. Both Covermaster and Enkamat improved turf color compared to the non-covered control plots. Enkamat and Covermaster also increased turf color with the least amount of growth.

Table 1. Turf quality after covered for 105 consecutive days from December 2, 1999 to March 17, 2000.

V - Vinyl-coated polyester

P - Polyethylene

Table 2. Turf quality after covered 35 consecutive days from March 17 to April 20, 2000.

* Actual height of plant in inches.