Obtained Soil Survey of Livingston Parish, Louisiana distributed
by the United States Department of Agriculture, produced in cooperation
with the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station. This was used as a
guide for subsequent soil determination.
We took representative samples from the property using the soil sampler.
The test area is approximately 60' X 50'. To obtain adequate representation
of the soil found throughout the test area, sixteen random soil samples
were taken. The samples were placed in sample boxes and sent to the lab
for testing.
The feel method used in the first lab assignment was adequate to determine
the soil texture. The soil varied from almost pure sand to clay with most
being a sandy clay.
Another consideration was the need for fertilizer. However, though this
was an initial component of the experiment, Dr. Gaston suggested that it
not be included because the results from the lab were delayed beyond a
usable time-frame.
Part Two - Turf Maximization
We performed research to find 3-5 types of shade tolerant grasses. Initial
considerations included St. Augustine, Zoysia, Carpetgrass, Bermuda, and
Centipede grasses. These were later narrowed down to only three: Centipede,
Bermuda, and St. Augustine (ordered from low to high shade tolerance.)
We then obtained sod plugs. Sod was used instead of seed due to the change
of seasons and the time constraints involved. These sod samples were generously
donated by Burden Research Plantation. Initially, the samples were two
inches in diameter.
Soil in which to grow the sod samples was then taken from the Green's property.
A shade cloth and frame (approximately 75 percent shade) was used in the
greenhouses located on the LSU campus to replicate the shade conditions
of the Green's property.
The native soil was rinsed off of the sod samples. They were then transplanted
into multiple one-quart pots containing the soil taken from the Green's
property.
The pots were arranged in a random design to allow for slight variances
in temperature, sunlight, and watering practices. Three groups of twelve
pots were placed under the shade cloth, and the remaining three groups
were left in the sun. Initially, they were arranged to allow for addition
of fertilizer, but this was later deemed unnecessary.
Diagram of Arrangement:
Af
Cf
Cn
Bn
Bf
An
An
Cn
Af
Cf
Bn
Bf
Cn
Bn
An
Cf
Af
Bf
Bf
Cn
Cf
Af
An
Bn
Bf
Af
Bn
An
Bn
Cf
Cn
An
Af
Bn
Cf
Cn
Key:
A - St. Augustine
B - Bermuda
C - Centipede
f - fertilized
n - not fertilized
We allowed the grass two weeks to recover from the shock of being transplanted.
We then trimmed them all to a height of one inch. They were watered three
times a week and their growth was monitored. At the end of a three-week
period, we measured the total growth and quality of the grasses.
