The 2022 Soccer World Cup in Qatar utilized perennial ryegrass, sourced from growers in North Carolina and Oregon, USA. The conditions of the turf, including firmness, tensile strength, ball roll, and soil conditions were monitored daily at each of the eight stadiums.
To assess the soil conditions, a product called the Stevens POGO and Turfpro visual insight and analytical software (referred to as the “POGO System”), developed by an Oregon-based company, was employed. This system proved invaluable in enabling field managers to sustain the turf in optimal playing conditions, despite facing challenging factors such as a dry climate, extreme heat in Qatar, and heavy foot traffic.
Besides its use in the Soccer World Cup, the POGO System is widely adopted in various sporting facilities that utilize turfgrass including golf courses, horse racetracks, sports fields, and baseball fields, among others.
For more information see www.Turfpro.com and/or contact Carmen Magro at cmagro@stevenswater.com.
