INTRODUCTION
Reinforced fields and hybrid pitches facilitate better-quality year-round performance of natural grass sports fields. Maintaining them in good condition requires insight into the fields’ conditions.
Pitch Rootzone Performance Testing (PRP) is a postal service that aims to provide key data characteristics to assist the Head Groundsman. The feedback helps in monitoring the installation and the ongoing management of their sports pitches. PRP provides a mechanism through which roots, the rootzone and the pitch’s synthetic components can be objectively measured.
We use a sample collection kit which allows for standardisation of the results. The sampling considers the traditional data points used for sport pitch audits. Wings and wear area data is collected for a broad range.
The client will receive cylinders and accompanying sampling kits. It is their responsibility to collect the columns from the pre-determined collection and sample points.
Pitch Rootzone Performance Testing (PRP) includes:
- Saturated conductivity (top 75mm for natural grass pitches) OR top (175mm for hybrid pitches) (accurate representation of water movement through the upper profile)
- Bulk density (top 75mm for natural grass pitches) OR top (175mm for hybrid pitches) (measured to provide indicative levels of particle size compaction within the profiles)
- Porosities (top 75mm for natural grass pitches) OR top (175mm for hybrid pitches) (measure of total porosity, air-filled porosity, water-filled porosity and water retention)
- Organic matter at 0-20mm and 20-40mm (testing at different depths can also help assess the areas in the profile where improvements are required)
- Rootzone depth OR carpet infill depth (where applicable)
- Synthetic strand cluster count in hybrid pitches
- Average synthetic strand length in hybrid pitches
- Average root depth
- Root mass at 0-40mm and 40-75mm with total root mass
Each test is categorised into 1 to 4. These categories are established industry standard and norms and ETL data banks combined with our experience.
Four Easy Steps
STEP 1:
Complete the Contact Form below (or telephone) for ETL to arrange for your sampling kit to be sent to you, together with relevant paperwork. This will be couriered out to the client.
STEP 2:
Upon receipt of the sampling kit, follow the sampling instructions to take sample each test correctly. Package the cylinders/samples up tightly in the same box supplied. Don’t forget the paperwork!
STEP 3:
courier/post the samples directly back to ETL.
STEP 4:
Test results and report will be issued when completed. Data collected on an ongoing annual basis will also be collated.
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For further details please download our Pitch Rootzone Performance Leaflet
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