Blending grass seed for professional sports pitches

In the world of professional sport, where pitches endure constant wear and tear from intensive use, selecting the right grass seed blend is crucial.

The right mix provides not only the aesthetics and playability demanded by elite teams but also resilience against wear and diseases such as Microdochium patch and leaf spot.

At ICL, we understand the challenges of delivering consistent, high-performance turf, which is why our ProSelect Premium Pitch and ProSelect Club blends are tailored to meet the exacting needs of stadia and training grounds.

The Art of Seed Selection

Perennial Ryegrass: The Backbone of Stadia Turf

Perennial ryegrass is the foundation of most professional turfgrass seed blends, offering superior wear tolerance, rapid recovery, and dense ground cover. Within this species, diploid cultivars outperform tetraploid varieties, providing double the seed count per kilogram and superior shoot density. This combination ensures cost-efficiency and performance, making diploids the ideal choice for professional football pitches.

Why Cultivar Choice Matters

The quality of a pitch is heavily influenced by the cultivars used. Attributes such as wear tolerance, recovery rate, and disease resistance are paramount, but visual merit—a combination of density, leaf width, colour, and cleanness of cut—should not be overlooked. Cultivars in ProSelect Premium Pitch score among the highest in STRI rankings, consistently outperforming competitors in trials.

Seed Quality Assurance

All ICL grass seed is certified to meet or exceed the Higher Voluntary Standard (HVS), ensuring purity levels of at least 98% and exceptional germination rates. This guarantees that every batch delivers the reliability demanded by premier venues.

ProSelect Premium Pitch: The elite choice

ProSelect Premium Pitch is the ultimate renovation blend for stadia and training grounds. Combining five top-ranked diploid perennial ryegrass cultivars, it delivers unparalleled performance:

• Superior Wear Tolerance: With excellent live ground cover and shoot density, it withstands the rigours of top-flight football and rugby.
• Rapid Recovery: Ideal for high-pressure renovation windows, ensuring quick establishment.
• Outstanding Disease Resistance: Reduces the risk of issues like Microdochium patch, maintaining surface integrity.
• Proven Results: Backed by extensive trials, Premium Pitch cultivars consistently rank at the top of STRI and other European turfgrass trial listings.

This blend provides a dense, visually appealing sward suitable for the most demanding playing surfaces. For venues seeking the highest quality without compromise, Premium Pitch is the clear choice.

ProSelect Club: High performance on a budget

For those seeking an economical solution without sacrificing quality, ProSelect Club offers an excellent alternative. This 100% perennial ryegrass blend features three well-performing cultivars, carefully selected for their:

• Reliable Wear Tolerance: Suitable for stadia, training pitches, and multi-purpose sports grounds.
• Balanced Disease Resistance: Provides dependable turf cover throughout the playing season.
• Versatility: Ideal for a range of applications, from professional venues to grassroots facilities.

While more cost-effective, ProSelect Club maintains the quality and durability required for professional use, making it an ideal choice for facilities balancing performance with budget considerations.

Innovation and testing: The ICL difference

At ICL, we take pride in our rigorous approach to product development. All blends undergo extensive trials, including testing through STRI and other leading turfgrass evaluation systems. Key metrics such as recovery, density, and disease resistance are carefully analysed to ensure every product meets the highest standards.

In addition to external trials, ICL conducts in-house testing to refine blend formulations and maximise performance. This commitment to research ensures our blends deliver consistent results, even under challenging conditions.

Building a foundation for success

Selecting the right seed blend is the cornerstone of any integrated turf management programme. With ProSelect Premium Pitch, you can achieve the ultimate in pitch performance, while ProSelect Club offers a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on quality.

Whether it’s an elite stadium or a multi-use training ground, ICL’s tailored solutions provide the resilience, aesthetics, and reliability demanded by professional sport.