Grass for the World Cup: A Georgia Company’s Journey to Qatar

The World Cup is not just about the players; it’s about the pitch they play on. The grass has to be perfect – deep green, precisely mowed, and striped. But finding the right grass for a World Cup stadium is no easy task. It requires years of research and testing. This year, the chosen grass is PlatinumTE Paspalum, grown by a Georgia-based company called Atlas Turf International. Let’s delve into the journey of this remarkable grass and the challenges it faces in Qatar.

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A Grass for an Inhospitable Climate

Qatar’s climate poses three main challenges: water, air, and light. The water used to irrigate the grass is of low quality, either treated sewage or desalinated seawater. The stadiums, designed to prevent heatstroke, offer limited sunlight for photosynthesis. Additionally, there’s little air movement within the stadiums. Atlas Turf’s paspalum, known for its salt tolerance, was chosen for its appearance and ability to withstand these tough conditions.

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Atlas Turf’s PlatinumTE Paspalum is a specialized breed descended from seashore paspalum, a tropical grass with high salt tolerance. Researchers at the University of Georgia bred this grass for specific traits, including color and root length. Ron Duncan, a plant breeder, developed Atlas Turf’s paspalum in 2007, patenting it for its disease tolerance and thicker leaf blade.

The grass is grown in Adel, a town in southern Georgia. After 90 days, the sprigs of grass, known as stolons, are harvested, washed, packed, and shipped by refrigerated air cargo to Doha. At the stadiums, the sprigs are planted and left to knit together into a field. Once ready, they are rolled up, transferred indoors, and unrolled onto the equivalent of 178 acres of field across all the World Cup stadiums.

Lower Inputs for a Changing World

Qatar serves as a testing ground for the future of turf grasses in a world grappling with climate change. Grass development has focused on breeding varieties that require fewer inputs, such as water, pesticides, and fertilizer – major contributors to carbon emissions. Atlas Turf’s paspalum uses 25% to 30% less water than other grasses and requires significantly less fertilizer.

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However, the process of keeping the grass alive in Qatar is carbon-intensive. The fields require manufactured cooled air and large amounts of water, predominantly sourced from fossil fuel-intensive desalination. These factors contribute to the World Cup’s carbon footprint. While the grasses have improved sustainability, they also play a role in exacerbating environmental challenges.

FAQs

Q: How did Atlas Turf’s PlatinumTE Paspalum perform in the World Cup?
A: So far, the grass is holding up well. Atlas Turf’s paspalum has demonstrated stability and durability, ensuring players’ safety and optimal performance.

Q: How does Atlas Turf’s paspalum compare to other grasses in terms of water and fertilizer usage?
A: Atlas Turf’s paspalum uses approximately 25% to 30% less water than other grasses and requires significantly less fertilizer, showcasing its sustainability.

Conclusion

Atlas Turf International’s PlatinumTE Paspalum has proven itself as the grass of choice for the World Cup’s stadiums and practice fields in Qatar. Its ability to withstand inhospitable conditions while requiring fewer resources sets it apart. As the world faces a changing climate, grasses like PlatinumTE Paspalum play a pivotal role in balancing the demands of sports and sustainability.

To learn more about Atlas Turf International and their groundbreaking grass, visit Pesstatsdatabase.

Nguồn: https://www.pesstatsdatabase.com
Danh mục: Sport