The Sports Turf Research Institute
Related Pages
- Accounts
- External Affairs Team
- Secretaries and PAs
- Construction Admin Team
- Associate Consultants
- Alistair Beggs
- Andy Cole
- Andy Newell
- Anne Wilson
- Bob Taylor
- Christian Spring
- Conor Nolan
- David Kane
- David Lawson
- Emma Beggs
- Estee Yates
- Fiona Crossley
- Gordon McKillop
- Henry Bechelet
- Ian Anderson
- Ian McClements
- Imran Laher
- James Westwood
- Jeff Perris
- John Lockyer
- Jonathan Tucker
- Julie Wheater
- Kath Hickson
- Kelly Harmar
- Lee Penrose
- Michael Baines
- Michelle Brook
- Mike Scott
- Philip Armitage
- Richard Hayden
- Richard Stuttard
- Richard Windows
- Rob Everett
- Ruth Mann
- Simon Watson
- Stella Rixon
- Stephen Baker
- Steve Gingell
- Stuart Ormondroyd
Michael Baines
Soil Laboratory Manager
Michael’s main role within the STRI is to provide chemical and physical analysis of sands, soils and rootzone/topdressing mixes used in turf. This is an essential backup service for advisors, constructors and for greenkeepers/ groundsmen.
Michael joined the STRI in 1987 after a short spell in the chemistry laboratory as a trainee. Prior to 1999 his expertise was centred on physical testing. During this time he was responsible for the implementation of a variety of differing test methods and giving assistance with numerous research projects measuring playing quality of turf and non-turf areas covering a wide range of sports and sports surfaces.
When chemistry and soil physics laboratories amalgamated in 1999, in his role as laboratory manager Michael co-ordinated the transition with minimal disruption.
He is a keen cricketer, opening the bowling for a local league side and is married with two children.
The range of physical tests carried out in the soil laboratory includes:
- Particle size analysis of soil sample with organic matter and lime contents
- Sieve tests on sand or gravel with lime content
- Hydraulic conductivity tests on sand or pre-mixed materials and on mixes created by the lab
- Determination of hydraulic conductivity, total porosity, air-filled porosity and capillary porosity on rootzone mixes
- Particle shape
- Motty test for strength of cricket / tennis soils
Chemistry testing covers:
- Routine analysis of soil sample for pH, Phosphate and Potassium with or with out additional Magnesium and calcium
- Heavy metal analysis (Copper, Zinc, Lead, Nickel and Cadmium)
- Soil salinity analysis
- Growth / germination test
- Trace elements (Iron, Manganese, Copper and Zinc)
- Soil sulphate
- Total nitrogen
- Carbon: Nitrogen Ratio
- Cation Exchange Capacity
- Analysis of irrigation water for pH, alkalinity and salinity
- Leaf N, P, and K analysis
© 2007 The Sports Turf Research Institute
Registered in England No 3188329