OM246

I’ve collected a lot of soil samples for total organic matter testing by depth. That’s what I call OM246 testing. My preferred method for this is to use a straight (no taper at the tip) cylinder to pull the core.

An interesting phenomenon happens when grass is planted on a golf course putting green. There’s typically not much organic material in the soil when the green is first planted. The organic material increases rapidly, to about 4% organic material in the top inch (2.

I’ve been thinking about this one a lot. It seems obvious that a sward supplied with more nitrogen fertilizer will tend to produce more organic material in the soil. It also seems obvious that a sward on which hollow-tine cultivation, or scarification, or sand topdressing, have been conducted, will need to receive more nitrogen in order to produce a surface compared with an adjacent sward that didn’t receive any of that work.

I have recorded both my presentations from the ATPI (Association of Turfgrass Professionals Ireland) conference in Galway. One is systematic improvement of course conditions. In that, I explained how we can only get the kind of playing surfaces we want when both the soil and the grass are in the right condition.

I put together a couple videos that discuss total organic material testing. First, this one, which shows some samples I’ve collected. From my office, to the post office, I discuss what is going to happen with them at the laboratory.

I’ve been trying to explain what’s normal, and in one of those explanations I ended up making these charts. I also separate those same data by species. In ATC’s report for OM246 tests (see a sample report with charts), I include charts and percentiles that show what is normal for the current test results, based on the most recently updated version of the dataset.

A colleague from Canada wrote to me with five comments after finishing this ATC Office Hours with Chris Tritabaugh (or listen as a podcast here). Just listened to your talk with Chris and wish I had the where about to attend it live, as I would have kept the chat room real busy!

Joe Gulotti, host of The Talking Greenkeeper podcast, invited Jason Haines and I to join him for a fun conversation. We talked about sustainability, MLSN, OM246, playability, sand topdressing, and a special Christmas for Joe in Arizona.

Daniel Hahn asked an interesting question about organic matter. Talking about “variability between greens at the same site,” he wondered, “could you explain what your opinion is about the statement, if you think greens vary a lot in OM or if you see minor difference?

Chris Tritabaugh and I met to review the OM246 test results from samples collected in October 2021 at Hazeltine National Golf Club. We did this as a livestream episode of ATC Office Hours, which is available for watching or listening at your leisure.