Case study on snow‐melting operations to accelerate spring use of soccer pitches with under‐soil heating systems, Sapporo, Japan

Abstract We report the results of an investigation into the establishment of a stable snow‐melting technique for turf management using an underground installed pipe‐heated system at the Miyanosawa Shiroi Koibito Soccer pitch in Sapporo, Hokkaido. With appropriate temperature control, we confirmed that the snow accumulation on the field melted, and the roots continued to grow even with snow covering the field. This management system will not only melt snow but can also potentially positively affect turfgrass growth under cold temperatures in early spring.