Bermuda Soil Test

Jay – posted 01 April 2005 13:12

I just recievd results on my soil form a hybrid bermuda lawn. The recomendatiosn are 3# of 34-0-0 per 1000sf. That sounds pretty hot to me. The results are form UGA and results show no lime required but to add gypsum. Any ideas?

Buck – posted 01 April 2005 13:56

Well, the recommendation is for 1# of N per 1,000 and that is a good rule-of-thumb for bermuda. Curious what the soil test showed for them to recommend no p or k.

Jay – posted 01 April 2005 17:50

P-Very High 153lb/AcreK-High 252lb/AcreCa-Very High 2737 lb/AcreMg-Very High 210lb/AcreWater PH-6.9 (Target PH 6.0)No lime reccomendedApply 1/2lb sulfur or 2lbs gypsum per 1000sf

ted – posted 01 April 2005 18:02

you must have high ph? like to know what it is. i wouldn’t use the 34-0-0- is this from a turf division of a soil testing place? i’m assuming you’re talking about univ. or georgia? use a slower release source of nitrogen

Jay – posted 01 April 2005 19:33

Water PH is 6.9

bwmaier – posted 03 April 2005 09:17

Were these recommendations for establishment, or maintenance? The results I got from UGA (Feb 04) suggested 3#/1k of 34-0-0 for establishment. They said to do that for the first year, then there was a maintenance program recommending 8# of 12-4-8 or 6# of 16-4-8. My pH was sufficient at 5.9, so they recommended only 15#/1k. I was surprised by the results, with all of my red clay. I live in Paulding Co.

Jay – posted 03 April 2005 11:15

Maintenance.

ted – posted 03 April 2005 18:02

the ph of the soil?

Buck – posted 04 April 2005 09:20

It sounds to me like the recommendation you have may be for bermuda forage as contrasted with turf. I’d check back and make sure they understand you have a hybrid turf that you expect to maintain at no more than 1″. You are not interested in grazing live stock. I think Texas A&M has published some papers about the distinction. Ted is likely aware of them as he is from Texas.

ted – posted 04 April 2005 09:43

it beats the crap out of me… i just know that the soil testing labs tend to do a better job on turf than the county or state ag folks. this guy keeps talking about the water ph, not his soil ph, and i’m trying to figure it out….

Jay – posted 05 April 2005 08:48

Water Ph is the method used to calculat6e the soil Ph. This analysis was for hybid bermuda turf not forage. Sorry for all the confusion.

turfie – posted 06 April 2005 17:08

That is confusing. The water pH is that of the soil mixed with straight water. They also measure the reserve acidity by adding a weak acid, and the difference between the 2 can be used to measure lime requirements.

turfie – posted 06 April 2005 17:16

Here’s an idea: Use ammonium sulfate (21-0-0)fertilizer at a rate of 1 lb/1000 s.f., which has an acidifying effect on the soil anyway and you get sulfur to boot. I believe Lesco formulates a fertilizer that has about 50% AS, and 50% SCU (slow release).