CEC levels, Flourides, and Chlorides -Reuse water Cancel The title field is required!

1. Murray Ian W

   
   9/30/2011 7:09 AM

   I have had greens which have not responded well to fertilization on one course while the other thrives. I have already witnessed my first real positive growth response concurrent to the first irrigation lake algal bloom "in six years"
   
   Previous soil and tissue tests showed the CEC was decreasing in the soil over the last few years, some as low as .7, (while the other course runs 6-8) and the tissue testing has shown very high flouride and chlorides in the plant. I had what appeared to be a salt burn for about five sequential days this season. I did incorporate a 1/48 gypsum to sand recently to flush the greens, yielding a ton over 1.6A.
   
   Any tips would be appreciated, but foremost,... how would you attempt to increase cec's? Thanks, Ian

   
   
   
   
2. Cecala Randal

   
   9/30/2011 2:09 PM

   Hello Ian,
   
   You have several issues. Firstly a really low CEC needs baby spoonfeeding. An algae bloom would indicate nitrates and phosphates. Daily irrigation would provide the spoonfeeding. You also need to baby spoonfeed K2O as it leaches very quickly with no CEC to grab it.
   
   Your CEC should be rising each of these three years not going down. Have you had constant lab and testing procedures?
   
   What are CEC percentages on your healthy greens as better indication of soil balance?
   
   Does your effluent have an industrial component or simply residential? Do you have full cation and anion analysis for water?
   
   Zeolite and humic substances raise CEC among others.
   
   Hope this helps a bit.
   
   Michael Rogers
   Down to Earth Water Management ( Soil Solutions )
   Golf Industry Liaison / Wastewater Solutions
   michaelrogers53@msn.com

   
   
   
   
3. Murray Ian W

   
   10/6/2011 8:10 AM

   The CEC's on the healthier push up sand greens have dropped from 7 average to 3. Probably due to vacuuming the cores and replacing with straight sand. (typically been fine with three aerifications per year on non reuse courses I have worked.
   
   There has been ecosand incorporated for a couple years which took the problem course to near three but was told to discontinue incorporating it and now assume it may have dropped with this years three aerifications plus drill and fill / routine solid .25inch deep tining.
   
   I will be doing full course samples next week to confirm my assumptions. Our routine has been once a year all 38 greens. I get water reports once a month delivered to me from the municipality.
   
   As far as industrial, I am unsure. Management is a buffer between the municipality and myself whereas they are cautious to not ruffle any feathers. They do provide reports that it appears they report on specific dates to other entities.
   
   My water EC is at 1.23 mS/cm my SME is 1.6 at last reading. I do have a black layer I am fighting as well.

   
   
   
   
4. Cecala Randal

   
   10/7/2011 2:10 PM

   Ian, Where are you? What grass species? Have you done any pH adjustment. I have CEC calculators for different soil amendments. CEC should not fluctuate so rapidly if same testing methods have been performed.
   
   Michael Rogers
   Down to Earth Water Management ( Soil Solutions )
   Golf Industry Liaison / Wastewater Solutions
   michaelrogers53@msn.com