Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1974

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Animal Husbandry

Major Professor

James Corrick

Committee Members

George Merriman, W. R. Backus

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine and compare certain physical properties and cation exchange capacities at various depths of putting green soils from four golf courses in the Knoxville, Tennessee area. These golf courses were of different ages and types of green construction. This study also included a comparison of these same physical properties and CEC with a laboratory soil mixture of sand, silt, clay and organic matter prepared in accordance with USGA Green Section specifications which served as a standard of known and currently accepted soil property responses. The experimental data for this investigation were obtained by laboratory analysis of particle size distribution, organic matter content, bulk density, aeration porosity, total porosity, percolation rates, available moisture holding capacity and cation exchange capacity. It was found that based on particle size distribution only Cobbly Nob golf course green soils were similar to the USGA standard. Fox Den golf course, although built with the aid of the USGA laboratory recommendations on components for putting green soil mixture, had putting green soils similar to those found in greens on Deane Hill and Cherokee golf course greens which were built without the aid of USGA laboratory recommendations. These three golf courses had putting green soils with much greater amounts of silt and clay and less total sand than the USGA standard or Cobbly Nob putting green soils. It was found that in the older greens on Deane Hill and Cherokee golf courses fine and very fine sand, silt and clay increased with increasing depth. Furthermore, the top few cm of all putting green soils were somewhat different to soil taken from lower depths, indicating the use of different textured topdressing materials. Organic matter content tended to increase in the upper soil levels in all greens and with the greatest increase in the older greens. The USGA standard mixture was exceeded in organic matter content by the upper levels of the oldest greens only. Variations in particle size distribution and organic matter content among the soil samples were reflected in variations in aeration porosity, total porosity, percolation rate, available moisture holding capacity and CEC. It was found in this study that bulk density was not significantly different among soil samples. Aeration porosities, total porosities and percolation rates generally decreased as fine and very fine sand, silt and clay increased. The USGA standard and Cobbly Nob putting green soils were within accept-able ranges of aeration porosity, total porosity and percolation rate while all others were considerably lower. Available moisture holding capacity increased as amounts of organic matter, fine and very fine sand, silt and clay increased, however increases in organic matter caused the greatest increase. Cation exchange capacity increased as both clay and organic matter content increased although increases in organic matter resulted in the greatest increase.

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