Effects of simulated nest type stadium on growth of tall fescue in summer

A simulated annular structure of nest type stadium was built to study its effects on the growth of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) in summer. Thermometric difference inside and outside of stadium, morphological and physiological parameters were measured in the year 2006 and 2007 respectively. The results showed that temperature in the stadium was significantly higher than the outside control. On the hottest day, the increase of air temperature was 4.5 ℃ and 5.2 ℃, canopy temperature increase was 6.2 ℃ and 5.8 ℃, and the increase of rootzone temperature at 10 cm depth was 2.7 ℃ and 2.6 ℃ respectively compared to the outside control. The increase of the temperatures in the stadium dramatically affected the growth of tall fescue. Turf growth and turf quality had been significantly lower than the outside control since July 20/21 and 23/24, respectively. Turf quality had decreased to the level which below the acceptable quality (6.0) since August 8/9. Leaf chlorophyll content had also decreased significantly compared to the control since July 28/29. However, leaf electrolyte leakage had been significantly higher than the control since August 6. MDA content in leaves had also increased significantly compared to the control for about half of the experiment period. The results indicated that nest type annular structure of the simulated stadium had great impact on the heat accumulation effects in the stadium, which significantly inhibited the growth of lawn.