Pitches Put Drought Recovery To The Test
Switch to a deeper-rooting perennial ryegrass
The University of Exeter says its switch to a deeper-rooting perennial ryegrass mixture has helped its sports pitches recover from this summer’s hot, dry conditions.
Grounds manager Tim Wakeham oversees 15 natural grass pitches for football and rugby, alongside a cricket square and outfield. With a demanding schedule of student and community sport limiting maintenance windows during term time, the university identified shallow rooting and poor soil quality as areas requiring attention.
The decision was made to use DLF’s PM81 4Turf mixture, combining tetraploid and diploid perennial ryegrass cultivars, for renovations and overseeding.
Tim said the pitches recovered quickly once irrigation water became available following the drought, adding that resilience to prolonged dry weather was becoming increasingly important.
The mixture has also provided the playing characteristics and appearance required for winter sports, according to Wakeham, who joined the university in March 2024 and leads a team of four maintaining its natural and artificial surfaces.
ProMaster seed has also been selected for renovations on the university’s cricket outfield, with Wakeham highlighting the technical support provided by DLF’s Ian Barnett.
