PACE Turf - Turfgrass Information Center

Soil

Interpreting soil analytical data

Bottom line: A good understanding of soil chemistry data is critical to the development of sound fertility and agronomic management programs in turf. But all too often, we are taught to interpret this information as though there is a single "perfect" value for each soil nutrient that we must strive to achieve. In a different approach to understanding soil chemistry data, we have applied a mathematical method known as "fuzzy logic" to help demonstrate that there is no such thing as a perfect level for each nutrient. Instead, there is a very large range of values that can result in high quality turf. This more realistic approach, outlined in the document "Demystifying soil analyses" can help you in the design and implementation of more streamlined, effective and successful fertility programs. For comparison, conventional soil guidelines have also been presented below. Both documents can assist you in interpreting soil analytical data and making well informed decisions on soil fertility programs.

Printable full report: Demystifying soil analyses (394 kb pdf)

An approach to minimize inputs while maintaining good quality turf: Minimum Level for Sustainable Nutrition soil guidelines

For a more conventional look at soil guidelines, refer to: Conventional soil guidelines (126 kb pdf)

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Turfgrass Research at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club

Fairbanks Ranch Country Club was the site of a multi-year study evaluating the impact of poor quality irrigaiton water and various overseeding management practices on Tifway II bermuda and SeaIsle I paspalum performance.  The publications below were prepared from this research.  The trial utilized native soils at Fairbanks Ranch and installation of a salinity gradient irrigation system that utilized the poor quality well water, good quality domestic water and a combiantion of these two water sources. 

Turfgrass varieties evaluated include:  Tifway II bermudagrass, SeaIsle I paspalum, Brightstar II ryegrass, Charger II ryegrass, 2 SLX ryegrass, Bonsai tall fescue, Tomahawk E tall fescue.

October 9, 2000 Status Report

January 30, 2001 Status Report

May 30, 2001 Update

Progress in warm season turf management

Plot Plan

Principal investigators:  Wendy Gelernter, Ph.D. and Larry Stowell, Ph.D., CPAg

Cooperators:  Brian Darrock, Mike Ashworth, Jose Guzman, Brian Sandland, Fairbanks Ranch Country Club

Sponsors:  Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, Southern California GCSA, San Diego GCSA, Hi-Lo GCSA, California State GCSA

Spring, seed or sod from: Ronnie Duncan, Ph.D. University of Georgia, West Coast Turf, Palm Desert, CA, John Rector, Turf-Seed Inc.

Slow Release Nitrogen Fertilizer Demonstration Trials

Summary: The turfgrass response to the fertilizers was variable and strongly influenced by time of application and condition of the turfgrass at each golf course. None of the products demonstrated improved color at 10 or 12 weeks after treatment (WAT). Only 23-5-10 applied at 1.5 or 2.5 lbs N/1000 sq ft demonstrated color improvement at 6 or 8 WAT and only at the Arrowhead location. The initiation of the trial at Virginia Country Club on April 5th was too early and bermudagrass had not fully begun to grow. Future trials should be scheduled to begin no earlier than the middle of May or later in the summer to ensure that the bermudagrass has fully transitioned and is healthy. The early trial initiation date and cool spring confounded trial ratings. Recommendations are provided to help avoid these problems in the future.

Printable version of full report

Principal Investigator: Larry Stowell

Cooperators: Raymond Davies, Virginia Country Club, John Martinez, Arrowhead Country Club, and Greg Swanson, San Luis Rey Down Golf Course

Sponsor:  J. R. Simplot

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