COMPARISON OF NEAR-INFRARED REFLECTANCE SPECTROSCOPY AND WET CHEMICAL ANALYSIS ON THATCH COMPOSITION

Abstract

The ability to predict thatch composition with the use of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was investigated. This study compared a new quick test for evaluating different thatch components using NIRS with the Van Soest wet chemical analysis. Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) thatch samples were taken from an experimental golf green at the Valentine Turfgrass Research Center at Penn State Univ. Fresh and dried ground samples were scanned from 400 to 2500 nm with a near-infrared monochromator. Dried ground samples were analyzed in four replicates using the Van Soest procedures for the acid detergent fiber, cellulose, and lignin. Moisture and organic matter contents were also evaluated in the laboratory. Preliminary comparisons between predicted NIRS values and laboratory results were encouraging. NIRS analysis of thatch could become a convenient, rapid, and inexpensive alternative to wet chemical analysis for thatch assessment.