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Turfgrass Soils by R.W.Daniels PhD
Original Presentation Landscape New Brunswick, February 2013
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Our Topic SPECIFICATIONS SOILS DRAINAGE
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Present Day Work Force Learning Life Long Upgrading Present Skills
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Students Learning Turf
First Year Students (Note Physically Handling Turf Plants) Fourth Year Students Learn by Getting Close to Turf (Observing) , Listening, Taking Notes
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Lifelong Learning Adults learn
Yes, Those with grey hair both teach and learn
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Looks What's In The Soil
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Today’s Topics Soils: Composition, Terms (Structure, Texture), Soil and Water, pH, Thatch, Selecting Media Specific Media Problems: Drainage (Surface, Sub-surface, Other), Organic Topdressing, Cultivation (options) Summary
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Initial Topics Soils: Composition Terms Soil and Water pH Thatch
Selecting Media
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Know Your Soils/Media All Soils/Medias are NOT the Same
Develop the Right Management Program for Your Soil
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Soils In Turfgeass Relationship and Importance of Soils in Turfgrass Management is Poorly Understood Lack of Basic Practical Knowledge of Soils Non Appreciation of Importance of Soils on Drainage, Compaction and Plant Root Growth GETTING SOILS RIGHT PREVENTS A LOT OF FUTURE PROBLEMS
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Functions of Soil Supports Plant Provides Nutrients
Reservoir for Water Receiver for Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
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Common Mistake in Turf Management
We Base our Decisions on Visual, Above Ground Symptoms We Try a “Quick Fix” (It Often Works For a Short Period of Time) With Turfgrass “The Bottom” (Roots) Run “The Top” (Above Ground Visual Vegetation) Maintain (Establish) a Healthy Plant Root System and Your Worries are Greatly Demised
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Causes of “The Problem”
Presence of “Hard Pan” Extent of “Layering” Past Management Types of Media Used Topdressing: Material Used, Application Combination of MANY Things
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Composition of an “Ideal Soil”
50 % Solids 45 % Mineral 5% Organic Matter 50 % Pore Space 25 % Water (Available & Unavailable) 25 % Air
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Soil Phase Mineral Organic Matter Various Sizes Various Chemicals
Decomposed Plant and Animal Residue Energy For Microbes Improves Soil Physical Condition Improves Soil Water Holding Capacity Improves Water Infiltration Is a Source of Nutrients
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Composition of “Ideal” Soil
50 % Solid Phase Available Water Non Available Water 50 % Pore Space 45-47 % Minerals 3-5 % OM 25 % Water 25 % Air
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Compacted Media
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Soil Compaction Air & Water Relationship Becomes Unbalanced
Wear on Turf “Pushes” Air From Soil Excess Water “Pushes” Air From Soil Plant Roots DO NOT Grow In Soil Plant Roots Grow in AIR SPACES Within Soil
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Terms In Soil Description
Soil Structure Proportion of Sand, Silt, and Clay Particles Soil Texture Arrangement of Sand, Silt and Clay Particles Compaction & Bulk Density Pore Space
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Soil Structure Cementing Together of Sand, Silt and Clay
Cemented by Organic Matter and Humus Structure Destroyed by Traffic, Wear, Machinery etc High Water Content (Water acts as a Lubricant and Individual Particles Slide Over One Another)
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Relative Size of Sand, Silt & Clay
Surface Area per Gram (sq cm/g) 11 to ,000,000 Sand Silt Clay
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Texture Determination-Feel
Parent Material Soil Texture Human Feel 100 % Sand Sand Gritty % Sand Sandy-Loam Forms a Ball % Sand Loam Gritty & Smooth 50 % Silt Silt Loam Flower % Clay Clay Loam Sticky & Wet >40 % Clay Clay Rolls Into Ribbon
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Range of Sand, Silt & Clay Within Soil Types
Soil Percentage Classification Sand Silt Clay Sand Loamy Sand Sandy Loam Loam Silt Loam Clay Loam
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Acceptable Soils Can Cause Problems
Soil Percentage Classification Sand Silt Clay Loamy Sand Sandy Loam – 20 PROBLEM MEDIA Loam Silt Loam Clay Loam
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Soil Texture Triangle
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Terms Plant Available Water Gravitational Flow of Water
Water Available for Plants Irrigate When 50 % of Available Water is Depleted Gravitational Flow of Water Water Present Between Maximum Water Holding Capacity & Field Capacity Water Flows Multi-Directional Due to Forces of Adhesion and Cohesion
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Other Important Terms Water Content of Soil Field Capacity
Maximum when all Pores are Filled with Water Media is then Anaerobic (No Air Present) No Root Growth Get Presence of Toxins Field Capacity Amount of Water Retained after Macropores Have Drained (Water Remains in Micropores)
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Soil Porosity That Portion of Soil Not Occupies by Solids
Area Between and Within Soil Aggregates % Pore Space + % Solids = 100 % Large Pores Drain Freely Small Pores Retain Water Ideal Soil of 50 % Pores Space can carry a 150 HP Tractor Without Damaging Surface
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Effect of Pore Size Macropores Micropores (Capillary Pores)
Drain Due to Gravity Drain First Micropores (Capillary Pores) Drain Slowly When Pushed Together Result in Compaction
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Soil Texture - Sand Composed of Large Sized Particles
Drains By Means of Macro-Pores Characteristics Considered a “Light” Soil Good Internal Drainage High Concentration of Air Good Root Growing Environment Dries Out Rapidly Requires Frequent Watering & Fertilization
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Soil Texture - Clay Composed of Small Sized Particles
Drains By Means of Micro-Pores Characteristics Considered a “Heavy” Soil Poor Internal Drainage Low Concentration of Air Poor Root Growing Environment Drains Poorly Requires Infrequent Watering & Fertilization
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Infiltration Rate Speed Water is Absorbed by Soil Rate Soil Amount
High Sand cm (3.0in) / Hour Low Clay cm (0.3in) / Hour
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Critical Relationship
SOIL TURF WATER
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Water Concerns Source of Water Infiltration of Water Throughout Soil
Movement of Water Within Soil Profile Control Over Water Watering Requirement Plant Species Turf Usage (Activity Played)
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Importance of Water to Plant
75 to 85 % of Plant is Water 10 % Loss of Water May Kill Plant Given Time Plant will Compensate for Reduced Water Excessive Amounts of Water will also Damage Plant
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Function Of Water In Turf Plants
Source of Nutrients Medium for Nutrient Transport Regulated Plant Temperature Provides Wilt Control Reduces “Fertilizer Burn”
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Excessive Soil Moisture
Reduces Root Growth Reduced Drought Tolerance Reduced Wear Tolerance Succulent Leaf Growth Increased Disease Susceptibility Increased Nutrient Leaching Increased Compaction
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Inadequate Soil Moisture
Reduced Plant Growth Plant Discolors Get Temporary Wilting Get Permanent Wilting May Cause Death of Plant
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Plant Drought Resistance
Escape………Plant Dies (Annual Bluegrass) Dormancy….. Plant Becomes Dormant Eg Older Varieties of K Bluegrass (Merion) Adaptation > Number of Roots & Root Hairs > Water Absorption Capacity > Plant Root Growth
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Water Not Available Management Strategies
Spring Cultivation (Aeration) Moderate Levels of Nitrogen Adequate Levels of P, K, Fe Increase Seasonal Mowing Height Good Pest Management Cultural Practices that Reduce Plant Stress
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Drought Tolerance of Turfgrass Species
HIGH TO LOW TOLERANCE Fine Fescue Tall Fescue Kentucky Bluegrass Perennial Ryegrass Colonial Bentgrass Creeping Bentgrass
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Water Infiltration and Soil Structure
Water Movement Soil Type Rapid: Granular, Single Grain Moderate: Blocky, Prismatic Slow: Massive, Platy
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Soil Drainage 50 % Macropores 50 % Micropores Large Pores
Drain Rapidly Move Air and Water 50 % Micropores Small Pores Hold Water Against Gravity
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Soil Moisture Classification
Gravitational…Held By Gravity Capillary…Held in Small Pores Hygroscopic…Most Tightly Held
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Infiltration Rate Rate Water is Absorbed Varies with Soil Texture
Varies with Rate at Which Water is Applied Varies with Current Environmental Conditions Varies with Existing Ground Cover Varies with Existing Topography
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Application of Water Soil Perk Infiltration Available Water
Sand in/hr in S-Loam in/hr in Loam in/hr in S-Loam in/hr in C-Loam in/hr in Clay in/hr in Perk: Percolation Depth for 1 inch of Water
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pH And Soil pH is Measurement of The Concentration of H Ions
Is a Logarithmic Scale Individual Units are Ten X Turf is Adapted to a pH Range of 5.5 to 7.0 Low pH Limits Availability of Essential Elements
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Adjusting pH To Increase pH Add Limestone
Powder, Granulated and Pelletized Forms Vary in Cost, Handling, Rate of Release To Lower pH Add Sulphur Use Sulphur Based Fertilizers
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pH and Nutrient Availability
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Effect of pH on Nutrient Uptake
Percent Wasted Soil pH Nitrogen Phosphorus Potash Total
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Thatch Excess Accumulation of Material
Consists of Dead Roots, Stems and Leaves Impedes Plant Growth < Root Penetration < Nutrient Take Up Makes Surface Uneven Results in Uneven Mowing
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Excessive & Severe Thatch
Excessive Thatch Limits Growth Severe Thatch Impedes Growth
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Thatch & Media Problems
Mat Layering Clay media
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Compaction Result of Excess Traffic Decreases Water Infiltration Rate
Decreases Oxygen Concentration “Wet” Soils Result in Increased Compaction & Less Field Playability Poor Playing Surface (Uneven, etc)
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Effects of Excess Traffic
Soil Compacts Percent of Macropores is Reduced Decreased Water Infiltration Rate Decreased Movement of Water Within Soil Less Air Available to Plants
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Reducing Field Compaction
Increase Sand Content in Growing Media Increases Initial Cost of Field May Decrease Athletes Foot Traction Increases Maintenance Cost Increase Seasonal Water Usage Increases Seasonal Field Usage
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Increase Organic Matter Content
Increases Water Holding Capacity Increases Nutrient Holding Capacity Decreases Water Infiltration Rates Requires Increase Frequency of Aeration Get Thatch Accumulation
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Media Selection 100 % Soil-Based 100 % Sand-Based Texture Fertility
Organic Matter Content Amounts of Silt + Clay 100 % Sand-Based Need 80 % Plus Sand Component
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Media Selection Have Media Properly Tested
Specifications Are When Media is First Blended/Mixed May be Mixed With Loader (Skilled Operator) Re -Test Media After Mixing/Blending Once Placed on Site Media “Changes”
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Media Preparation On Site Blending Mixing With Loader Most Accurate
Accurate With Skilled Operator
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Samples Taken From Mixed Material
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Composition of Selected Turf Medias
Sandy Loam 55-70 % sand, 10-45% silt, 0-20 % clay Loamy Sands 70-90 % sand, 0-30 % silt, 0-15 % clay Sand-Based 90 % plus sand
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Sample Water Infiltration Rates
Sand: Soil : Peat………………….cm/ hr 85.0 : 7.5 : …………………..7.6 85.0 : 5.0 : 10.0…………………..18.9 85.0 : 0.0 : 15.0…...………………29.8 90.0 : 0.0 : 10.0 …………………..60.5 Rate Depends on Specific Composition of Each: Sand, Soil and Peat
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Media Particle Gradation
Gravel……………………..2.0 mm and greater Very Course Sand……… mm Coarse Sand……………..1.0 – 0.5 mm Medium Sand…………….0.5 – 0.25 mm Fine Sand………………… mm Very Fine Sand………… mm Silt………………………… mm Clay.…………………… Less than mm
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Sand Based Field Particle Distribution-Category 1 Field
Particle Type Acceptable Range % Gravel < 10 Very Course Sand <10 Course + Medium Fine Sand < 25 Very Fine Sand < 10 Silt + Clay (Max) <15
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Category 1 Field Additional Requirements
35 to 55 % Porosity 15 to 30 % Air - Filled Porosity 15 to 30 % Capillary Porosity 12.5 – 25.0 cm (5 to 10 in.) / Hour of Water Infiltration 1 to 4 % Organic Matter Concentration
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Sand Based Field Particle Distribution-Category 2 Field
Particle Type % by Acceptable Volume Range % Gravel < 10 Very Course Sand or < Course + Medium Fine Sand Very Fine Sand Silt + Clay (Max)
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Soils Common Occurring Problems and Practical Solutions
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Latter Topics Specific Media Problems: Summary
Drainage (Surface, Sub-surface, Other) Topdressing (Organic) Cultivation-Options Summary
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Know Your Soils Touch the Soil Feel the Soil
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Media Selection Get Consistent Supply of Media
Set Your Standards-Have Specifications Test Regularly Continually Monitor Quality
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Sourcing & Blending of Media
Proper Mixing Sampling Note Holes in Pile Sample On site Test Samples in Lab Know Your Supplier
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Five Athletic Field Categories
Design Soil (% Silt + Clay) > 40 % All Soils Sub-Surface Drains Yes Yes Yes Yes No Irrigation Yes Yes ----Optional No Lights Yes Yes ----Optional No
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“Acceptable” Soils Can Cause Problems
Soil Percentage Classification Sand Silt Clay Loamy Sand Sandy Loam – 20 PROBLEM MEDIA Loam Silt Loam Clay Loam
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Soil Texture Triangle
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Check Drainage Dig a Hole Add Water Observe Results
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Collecting Soil Samples
Difficulty in Collecting Samples is an Indicator Observe Sample Collected
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Add Sand to Media Topdressing Silt + Clay = 25 %
Reduce Silt + Clay to 10 % Requires 1.4 inches sand Six Topdressings At 0.25 inches
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Program for Improving Drainage to This Field
1.5 inches Sand Required Improves Top 4.0 Inches of Media Year 1 2 Topdressing / Year at 0.25 inches / Application 0.5 inches Topdressing / Year 2 Core Aerations Repeat in Years 2, and 3 Have only Improved Top 4.0 Inches of Growing Media AFTER THREE YEARS
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Program (Cont’d) Have “Hard Pan” (Poorly Drained Media) at and below 4.0 inch Level “Deep Tine” (Verti-Drain) Topdress How Much Sand Penetrates Below the 4.0 inch Level? Is this Cost Efficient? Field Marginally Improves in Each Year
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Starting Over Sometimes it Pays to be Realistic and Simply Start Over
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Pitfalls of Construction Surface Drainage
Remove Maximum Amounts of Water by Surface Drainage (Fastest, Easiest & Most Economical) Drain to Perimeter of Playing Surface Remove Excess (Drained) Water from Site
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Initial Signs of Poor Drainage
Excessive “Wet” Area at Perimeter Check For “Wet” Area In Playing Field Repair Initial Problem
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Surface Field Drainage
Crowned at Center Water Drains to Each Side High on One Side Water Drains Across Field Surface
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Surface Field Drainage
Crown is Center Point of Field Water Drains in All Directions High at One Perimeter Point Water Drains Across Playing Surface
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Understanding Drainage
Spacing of Individual Tile Lines MUST Account for: Gravitational Pull of Water Water Runs Sideways (Lateral) Into Tile Lines Downward in Soil Profile to Tile Lines
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Initial Signs of Poor Drainage
Dead Grass in Spring Presence of “Poa” Wet Areas When Aerating
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Field Infiltromoter Field Testing for Poor Drainage
Reasonably Accurate An Indicator of Degree of Internal Drainage Problems
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Getting Soil Profile Difficulty Getting Sample No Surprise
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TROUBLE Excessive Thatch Poor Growing Media
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Plan The Project Make On Site Assessment Determine Drainage Pattern
Determine Water Outlet Use Proper Material and Personnel Solve the Problem vs Moving it to Another Location
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Steps in Sub-Surface (Tile) Drainage-Existing Field
Cover and Protect Existing Turf During Construction Remove Existing Turf Keep if Quality is Good If Keeping, Remove and Store in “Safe” Place Excavate Drain Lines Cut “Narrow” Trench Remove “Excess” Material From Site
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Drainage Instillation (Continued)
Add 2.5 to 5.0 (1 to 2 in) of “Pea” Gravel 1.3 to 2.5 cm (0.5 to 1.0 in ) Diameter Connect Laterals at 45 Degrees Cover Installed Drains with 10 cm (4in) Layer of Pea Gravel Backfill Trench (Use Appropriate Material) Replace Sod, New Sod or Seed
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Excavation, Installing Tile & Sand
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How To Remove Water When Slope is Non Existent
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Solution High Profile Area Intense Traffic No Existing Slope
No Drainage Outlet Solution Dig Large Pit Fill With Coarse Gravel Slope Immediate Surface
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Organic Topdressing Environmentally Friendly Contributes to Recycling
Encouraged by Society Politically Great
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Usage of Organic Topdressing
Use Properly (Small Applications) Good Results Incorporate into existing media (AERATE) If Small Amounts are Good, LOTS MUST be GREAT PROBLEMS……………….LAYERING
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Organic Topdressing Initial “Green-Up” Apply More Eventually - Get
Continuous Color Eventually - Get Organic Layer Thatch Poor Plant Growth
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Cultivation Options Based on Soil Depth Penetration
Vertical Mower I N Coring (Hollow/Solid Tine) C Spiking H Slicing E S AerWay Slicer, Mole Plow Verti-drain, Hydro-jet
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1 to 6 Inches Deep Coring Spiking Slicing Hollow and solid tine
Drives a “solid” tine into media Slicing Cuts by means of a “slicing” action
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Core Cultivation Vertical Holes in Soil Core of Existing Media Removed
Increased Air Flow and Water Penetration Opening for Topdressing Improve Media Over Time
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Slicing Vs Coring
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Hollow Tine Aerator “Spoon” Type Action Cores are Removed
Cores: 5 to 20 mm Diameter Penetrates 7 to 20 cms Solid Tines may be Used
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Coring (Options) Add Weights for more Depth
Turf Requites 7 to 10 Days for Healing Edges of Holes Dry Out Not Done in July or August
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Topdressing It is a Necessity Hard to do Properly
Practice is Often Abused May Result in Permanent Damage Expensive (Material) and Time Consuming (Labor to Apply Material)
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Soil Problem-Solutions
Proper Diagnosis Get Second Opinion, Do Tests Establish a Plan Based on Agronomy Stay With “The Plan” Be Realistic Time Involved (years) Costs (Remedies are NOT cheap) Few Remedies Equal “Perfection”
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Media Specifications Specify Soil Type: Sandy Loam etc
Specify % Silt + Clay Specify Percolation (Internal Drainage) These are the Main Indicators
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Future of Turf Care Move From an Approach of Solving Problems
with Traditional Products / Practices To How Can We Solve Problems by Altering Seasonal Cultural / Management Programs / Practices
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Future - Examples Carbon Footprint Example: “Polyon” Fertilizers
Products & Practices Which Cause Least Negative Environmental Impact Example: “Polyon” Fertilizers Formulation, Application Based on Seasonal Date for Specific Area One to Two Applications / Season Provide Acceptable, Consistent Results Example: “Futura 3000” Perennial Ryegrass Overwinters Well Continually Overseeding as Required
