Particle Size Distribution

The total of the percentages, by weight, of soil particles of clay, sand and silt within a soil sample, with the different proportions of each soil particle size being quantified and contributing to the whole, which adds up to 100%. The particle size distribution is essentially the soil texture with the added accuracy of a breakdown of particle size proportions being given. An example, which is a sandy loam, is: • 60% sand (2mm ¯ 0.0625mm) • 25% silt (0.0625mm ¯ 0.002mm) • 15% clay (<0.002mm). For turfgrass situations the sand classification is normally ide

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  Passive Capillary Drainage

Narrow diameter rope, typically with a fibreglass outer covering and inner stainless-steel mesh forming a drainage tube. It is installed into an existing surface, such as a golf green, by being pulled through the soil profile, using a specially adapted type of mole plough with the cut slit being sealed afterwards with an attached roller which re-firms the surface. The drainage rope is installed at a depth of about 250mm, up to 600mm (for example at the Mere Championship Golf Club, https://themereresort.co.uk/blog/maintaining-a-championship-golf-course/, accessed 19th November 2022), and at a s

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  Peat

Partially decomposed organic material that was previously been used within a mineral top-dressing material to aid moisture and nutrient retention. With the exploitation of peatlands over the years their viability has become threatened and it is increasingly unacceptable to use peat within any mixture for the maintenance of sports and amenity turf surfaces. The minimum percentage of organic matter within a soil organic layer for it to be classified as peat varies according to different authorities, but is typically either 20% or 30% as a minimum.

  Ped

An aggregate of soil particles that forms a distinct visible soil feature through natural processes (see also ‘Clod’). There are several types of soil ped, which might be grouped as follows (although different groupings can be found in soil science literature): 1. Blocky. 2. Platy (also called Laminar). 3. Column like (sub-divided in Prismatic and Columnar) 4. Granular (sub-divided into Granular and Crumb, often prefixed with Spheroidal).

  Pedogenesis

A term used to describe the process of soil formation.

  Pelosol

A clay soil which is prone to significant cracking.

  Percolation Rate

The rate at which water moves, or passes, through a soil.

  Permavoid

A tile, cellular crate, raft system acting as a drainage layer, as well as for water storage, which allows for passive irrigation to take place. Rootzone material is installed on top of the raft; a 200mm depth instead of a 300mm depth on high profile sand pitch constructions can significantly reduce quantities required, yet still provide for suitable playing conditions. Liverpool FC new pitch construction in 2017 was the first in the UK to utilise the Permavoid raft system. In 2021 the major clubs of Leeds Utd FC and Leicester City FC also had their pitches fully reconstructed and a new Permavoid system installed.

  Permeability

The ability of a material to allow water to pass through it.

  pH Influence on Nutrient Availability and Organism Activity

Soil pH can influence the relative availability of plant nutrients, micro-organisms and earthworm activity within a soil. The general and relative amount of availability or activity for the range of macro-nutrients, micro-nutrients and organism can be estimated as follows: