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Procedure for Evaluating the Biological Degradation of Turfgrass Thatch¹

Thatch is a serious problem on intensively maintained turfs. Biological control of thatch would be desirable to eliminate the need for mechanical thatch removal. A controlled in vitro technique was developed for use in assessing the effect of chemical additives and environmental conditions on microbial decomposition of thatch. Pectinase, cellulase, sucrose, and ferulic acid were added to red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) thatch samples in vitro in an attempt to increase thatch decomposition. A sealed environment was maintained at 24 C for 24 hours at which time gas samples were analyzed for CO2, content as an indication of microbial activity. Thatched red fescue turfs were also treated with the same chemical additives in a controlled environment chamber. Increased carbon dioxide evolution occurred in vitro from all four treatments. Total cell wall content decreased in a controlled environment chamber. Environmental studies showed that a pH of 6 resulted in maximum microorganism activity, as measured by carbon dioxide evolution. These results indicate that this technique can be useful in studying microbial decomposition of thatch on turf.

Key Words: Red fescue • Carbon dioxide • Pectinase • Cellulase • Sucrose • Ferulic acid

² Formerly graduate research assistant, Michigan State Univ. (now assistant professor, Ohio State Univ.) and professor, respectively, Dep. of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI 48824.

Received for publication January 15, 1975.

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