Evaluation of soil analysis data of golf course greens in Japan compared with those in USA

Abstract

Soils of golf course greens widely sampled in Japan and USA were analyzed by the same methods and laboratory. Their average values were compared with each other (n=869 in Japan, 2008–2010 and n=6,493 in USA, 2006). The exchangeable PO₄-P of Japan was 113.8 ppm, 1.7 times higher than that of USA. The exchangeable K of Japan was 103.3 ppm, close to that of USA. On the contrary, Ca, Mg, and S of Japan were 0.54, 0.66, and 0.35 times lower, respectively, than those of USA. Water extractable these macronutrients of Japan were all 0.3–0.6 times lower than those of USA. Moreover, about 95% of the exchangeable P data were higher than the medium range of SLAN (sufficiency level of available nutrients). Other exchangeable K, Ca, Mg, and S, 50–80% of all data were inversely lower than the SLAN range. These results suggest, in Japan, P application to the greens run excessive contrarily, K, Ca, Mg, and S insufficient.