Gypsum Application on Putting Greens

One of the biggest issues we face with the putting greens is high sodium (salt) content; this is a byproduct of reclaimed water, which is the golf course's primary water supply. High levels of sodium prohibit the roots from properly up taking nutrients, and the grass displays characteristics of drought and nutrient deficiencies.

One thing we do to combat the high sodium is by applying gypsum CaSO₄·2H₂O; gypsum contains a good amount of calcium; the simplest explanation is that the calcium binds itself to the sodium as not to interfere with plant's uptake of nutrients. When the calcium is attached it also is easier to leach out the sodium and move it down the soil profile and into the drainage system.