Seasonal fluctuation in soil and thatch microbial populations in an 80%:20% sand:peat creeping bentgrass putting green

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the influence of a bio-organic amendment 'Greens Restore' (6N-1P-3K) and a nitrogen fertilizer (21N-7P-14K) on the microbial numbers, thatch degradation, and soil respiration. A complete randomized block design was used with 3 treatments/4 replications. Both treatments were applied at a rate of 28.6 kg N/ha every 60 and 30 days for the first and second year respectively. No significant changes were observed due to treatments for all the parameters measured except for soil fungi and thatch thickness. Control plots had the lowest and the fertilized plots had the highest values for both parameters. Microbial numbers showed significant differences with time except for the denitrifiers. Thatch bacterial, fungal, and actinomycetes numbers were greater than in soil. Two peaks in microbial numbers and soil respiration occurred in spring and autumn. Soil pH also changed with time and peaked in spring and autumn.