Understanding Organic Matter Testing WITH BRAD REVILL - BRT AGRONOMY
The build-up of thatch or organic matter is one of the most important if not the most important aspects of our roles as turf managers in consistently maintaining high quality playing surfaces across many sports disciplines, but has our knowledge and understanding of it and its management changed over time? There are countless research, articles, and opinions available when it comes to organic matter management, yet it still remains and will continue to remain a dominant issue in our maintenance and renovation programs. Through accurate assessment of organic matter, the turf industry’s knowledge of its development and maintenance is evolving. Using devices like the Trufirm or the Clegg Hammer, the turf manager can accurately measure the firmness of their respective playing surface and track the progress over time. Maintenance programs can then be modified where necessary to achieve the desired results. Failure to deal with organic matter and allowing it to increase, results in a long list of negative consequences to the playing surface and the turf health, such as: •
Reduced surface firmness
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Reduced soil infiltration rates
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Higher moisture retention
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A more favourable environment for disease development
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More favourable conditions for pest activity
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More favourable conditions for moss, algae, and other weeds
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Increased Poa Annua content
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Decreased tolerance to play during frosty conditions
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Reduced playability during wet conditions
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Reduced playability during the Winter months
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Increase in pitch mark severity
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Decrease in root length
It does not matter if you are the turf manager, club manager, financial controller, or club owner, excessive or increasing levels of organic matter is not good for the long-term health of the facility. For some clubs this may be a contributing factor and for others it could be the root cause of their biggest maintenance challenges and poor playing quality experienced by the players. Knowledge, awareness and understanding of organic matter and its management has increased in recent years and when understanding increases, it becomes apparent where past shortfalls in dealing with it have been present. Quantifying Organic Matter The industry has been quantifying its organic matter levels through various methods for a number of years. For the most part, these methods have been largely unquestioned
UN DERSTA N DIN G ORGA N IC MATTER TESTING
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