TECHNICAL LABORATORY
Analytical & Diagnostic Services
Nuturf Australia aims to provide an informative and efficient analytical package to the turf industry. This package has been developed to solve our customer’s problems whilst providing a greater understanding in the industry of nutritional problems encountered by turf managers.
In the field of analytical services, Nuturf Australia can provide comprehensive soil, water and tissue analysis reports that allows the turf manager to make informed management decisions as a result of identifying and understanding the relevant characteristics of the soil and water that ultimately influences turf quality.
SOIL ANALYSIS
Soil sampling is best undertaken at least 2 weeks after fertilisation. 250 grams of soil is required by the laboratory to perform the analysis. The soil sample must be characteristic of the entire area from which it is collected.
SATURATED SOIL ANALYSIS
250 grams of soil is required by the laboratory to perform the analysis. The soil sample must be characteristic of the entire area from which it is collected. 500ml of irrigation water is required to be sent along with the soil.
IRRIGATION SUITABLITY ANALYSIS
The lab requires a 500ml sample of water to conduct an analysis. The container should always be plastic. Always rinse the sample bottle thoroughly (at least 3 times) with the water to be sampled.
Dams and streams; take the sample as far from the bank as possible, in deep water. Take the sample at a depth of about 100mm.
Bores: Pump the bore for at least ½ hour (longer if bore is deeper than 50m) to ensure that fresh groundwater is sampled. Ensure new bores are pumped for an extended period to remove drilling residues.
Piped tank supplies: Take directly from the tank if fitted with a tap. Flush well before sampling.
DISEASE ANALYSIS
Take disease samples by taking a deep core approx. 10cm wide by 6cm deep. The core should be taken from the edge of affected areas. Wrap soil samples in moist paper toweling and place inside a plastic bag.
NEMATODE COUNT
Ideally, use a 2.5 cm diameter sampling tube and collect about 20 cores to a depth of 5-10 cm (i.e. about 500 mL of soil). Collect cores from the margins of problem areas rather than from areas that are severely debilitated or dead. Place the samples in a plastic bag and pack them in a sturdy cardboard box, postal pack or insulated picnic cooler. Keep samples cool but do not refrigerate. Most importantly, do not expose samples to excessive heat (i.e. by leaving them in the sun or inside a closed vehicle).
ROOT HEALTH ASSESSMENT
When taking Root health assessment samples 2 samples are required.
Sample 1 -please take a deep core approx. 10cm wide by 6cm deep. The core should be taken from the edge of affected areas if apparent. Wrap soil samples in moist paper toweling and place inside a plastic bag.
Sample 2 - Use a 2.5 cm diameter sampling tube and collect about 20 cores to a depth of 5-10 cm (i.e. about 500 mL of soil). Collect cores from the margins of problem areas rather than from areas that are severely debilitated or dead.
WEED/INSECT IDENTIFICATION
Weed/Insect Identification Form
Weeds – Try to collect weed with flower head present. Place weed in plastic bags with a few drops of water. Send via express post.
Insects – Beetles/Adult insects place in plastic bag and send express post.
Soft bodied insects - Place in a bottle of methylated spirits. Fasten tightly and put tape around lid to prevent leakage.
PLANT TISSUE ANALYSIS
Amount of Plant Tissue: two handfuls of mower clippings taken from a green void of debris (eg leaves, twigs etc) will be sufficient to analyse.
Bag type: must be despatched in paper bags. If the clippings are wet, insert paper bag containing these wet clippings into a plastic bag (eg freezer type bag).
Submitting Samples
Send SOIL and WATER samples for assessment to:
Nuturf Australia
PO Box 6390
Silverwater NSW 1811 or
Drop off at:
Unit B2, 3-29 Birnie Avenue
Lidcombe Business Park, Lidcombe NSW 2141
(We are located behind Nick Skali in front of the palm trees).
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