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Effect of Sample Preparation and pH on the Cation Exchange Capacity of Thatch 1
Author(s) -
Danneberger T. K.,
Turgeon A. J.,
Peck T. R.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1984.00021962007600010036x
Subject(s) - poa pratensis , cation exchange capacity , chemistry , edaphic , lawn , saturation (graph theory) , volume (thermodynamics) , agronomy , soil water , poaceae , botany , soil science , mathematics , environmental science , combinatorics , biology , physics , quantum mechanics
Where it develops excessively, the thatch layer may serve as the primary medium supporting the growth of a turfgrass community. Since little is known about the edaphic properties of thatch, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sample preparation and pH on the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of thatch. Samples were obtained from a Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L. cv. Merion) lawn using a cork borer with an inside diameter of 15 mm. The CEC was measured using both undisturbed samples and ground samples passing through a 40‐mesh screen. The effect of pH was determined at pHs of 2.5,3.5,5.0,6.0,7.0, and 8.0; results were analyzed by linear regression. No significant differences were observed due to grinding of the thatch samples; however, variation in CEC occurred depending upon the saturation solution used. The CEC expressed on an undisturbed volume basis was considerably lower than that based upon sample weight. A threefold increase in CEC occurred over a pH range of from 2.5 to 8.0.