Fairway soil pH

The upward trend in fairway (and some greens) soil pH has us concerned. This type of trend has been observed in arid areas that depend upon irrigation for a large portion of the year. We suspect there are mutiple causes, including a general down-trend in total nitrogen applied per year, the use of calcium nitrate to aid in sodium management, the reduction in use of sulfur coated urea and the presence of bicarbonates in irrigation water. Data shown is one example from one golf course where fairway soils have been sampled since 1992.

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Cultural Practices