Using comparative data to assess soccer field performance in three different locations in Chile

Abstract Soccer is one of the most popular sports in South America. Chile has over 5000 soccer fields serving over 1 million athletes. However, there are no data on essential parameters affecting sports fields' playability and safety. This work aimed to measure, record, and analyze data in three sports fields in different areas of Chile to learn about trends and understand their status to improve their agronomic management. Data on volumetric water content, temperature, salinity, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index were taken and related to soil properties in three different football fields in central Chile. Differences in moisture content between seasons on the same football field (Nacional Stadium) and trends in temperature, humidity, and the presence or absence of weeds and diseases were observed. Data suggest more differences in volumetric water content and temperatures through seasons, mainly due to differences in soil properties.