1. HEALTHY PARKS & GARDENS SITE TESTING 2010 Ron MacCartney Sportsturf Consultants (Aust) P/L

2. SITE TESTING WHY? – Observations are good but not complete –Observable differences are significant – Need to quantify effects of treatments

3. SITE TESTING WHAT TESTS? Assess effect of Organics on:Test Soil TextureTotal Porosity (Air spaces in soil) Soil MoistureMoisture Retention (Water held by soil) Plant NutritionLeaf Analysis (Nutrient content of plant tissue) Surface PerformanceSurface Hardness (Player safety & comfort)

4. 1. Total Porosity Effect on Air Spaces in soil ReserveWith OrganicsWithout Organics Atherton Reserve Fitzroy 53.9%50.1% Peterson Oval Fitzroy 42.0%46.8% Moore Oval North Reservoir 51.9%50.0% Zwar Reserve Preston 48.3%48.9% G.Pentland Botanic Gdns, Frankston 54.0%52.0%

5. 2. Soil Moisture Moisture retained by soil, available for plant use ReserveWith OrganicsWithout Organics Atherton Reserve Fitzroy 53.9%50.1% Peterson Oval Fitzroy 42.0%46.8% Moore Oval North Reservoir 51.9%50.0% Zwar Reserve Preston 48.3%48.9% G.Pentland Botanic Gdns, Frankston 54.0%52.0%

6. 3. Plant Nutrition Nutrient content of plant tissue Peterson Oval Fitzroy With OrganicsWithout Organics Nitrogen (%)5.64.3 Phosphorus (%)0.690.55 Potassium (%)3.83.0 Calcium (%)0.350.47 Magnesium (%)0.27 Iron (ppm)260480 Copper (ppm)1012 Zinc (ppm)54110

7. 3. Plant Nutrition Nutrient content of plant tissue Morrison Reserve Mt. Evelyn With OrganicsWithout Organics Nitrogen (%)4.03.6 Phosphorus (%)0.600.42 Potassium (%)3.52.8 Calcium (%)0.410.50 Magnesium (%)0.270.29 Iron (ppm)380330 Copper (ppm)1011 Zinc (ppm)4647

8. 3. Plant Nutrition Nutrient content of plant tissue G.Pentland Bot. Gdns, Frankston With OrganicsWithout Organics Nitrogen (%)1.41.2 Phosphorus (%)0.590.34 Potassium (%)0.570.35 Calcium (%)0.550.25 Magnesium (%)0.280.17 Iron (ppm)10042 Copper (ppm)1.81.0 Zinc (ppm)8.52.9

9. 4. Surface Hardness Potential for player injury –Higher the value = harder surface ReserveWith OrganicsWithout Organics Moore Oval North Reservoir Range Ave. 60 – 100 78 100 – 130 111 Morrison Reserve Mt Evelyn Range Ave. 60 – 80 69 100 – 140 117

10. Test Results Show Trends for improvement in –Porosity –Moisture retention –Plant nutrients Significant difference in surface hardness –Less hard where organics used Better grass cover Less bare ground

11. The Future … Use of Organics on sportsfields are: –Are worth considering; –Can show positive results However Don’t expect fast responses Need further evaluation Need to be fitted into good maintenance program