It's fair to say that the average rugby player takes a considerable amount of punishment over the course of their careers, but the turf they play on takes even more of a beating. If you're laying down a new rugby field, you will want to ensure that the type of turf you choose is capable of standing up to the unique pressures of a brutal rugby match occurring overhead.
Kikuyu turf is a particularly popular choice for many sports fields, including rugby fields, and for good reason. This unique grass, originally hailing from East Africa, has a number of properties that make it an excellent choice for rugby playing purposes. However, there are also some distinct drawbacks to choosing kikuyu over other turf choices (such as buffalo turf), so make sure you know what you're getting into before purchasing your turf.
What are the advantages of choosing kikuyu turf for a rugby field?
Durability
Kikuyu turf is one of the most durable turf choices around when it comes to resisting heavy foot traffic, and can recover very quickly from damage caused by rugby boots and heavy bodies sliding across the ground. Damaged leaves grow back quickly, and even large divots will fill back in in a matter of days with the proper care and attention. Frequent watering and fertilisation will increase the regrowth rates of kikuyu turf still further.
Good sun resistance
Since rugby fields are completely bereft of trees and other sources of shade, you should choose a turf that is capable of withstanding constant, intense sunlight during the summer months without yellowing and dying. Kikuyu is one of these turfs and will stay green and lush year-round with only modest applications of water and fertiliser.
Grows on a wide variety of turfs
Kikuyu is also a highly adaptable grass, capable of growing on a wide variety of soil types. Kikuyu turf will grow well on both acidic and alkaline soils (although it is best suited to more neutral pHs) and can tolerate considerable amounts of soil salinity without losing leaf strength and growth speed.
What are the disadvantages of choosing kikuyu turf for a rugby field?
Relatively high maintenance
Kikuyu's toughness means that it has lower watering and fertilising requirements than comparable turfs; however, this is often offset by the frequency with which it needs to be mowed. Since kikuyu grows so quickly, it must be mowed frequently to keep it at a good length for rugby games, which can increase maintenance costs.
Aggressive lateral growth
Kikuyu growth is also highly aggressive, and a kikuyu rugby field that is not kept in check will often 'spread' into neighbouring ground, choking the life out of less aggressive plants. Choosing a sterile form of kikuyu turf, which does not aggressively spread its seeds, is the best way to sidestep this problem.
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