Biosolids‐Based Amendments Improve Tall Fescue Establishment and Urban Soils. Issue 3 (1st May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Badzmierowski, Mike J.; Evanylo, Gregory K.; Ervin, Erik H.; Boyd, Adam; Brewster, Carlyle
• Is Part Of: Crop science. Volume 59:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 1273
• Page End: 1284
• Publication Date: 2019-05-01
• Subjects: Crop science -- Periodicals; Cultures -- Périodiques; Cultures de plein champ -- Périodiques; Crop science; Nutzpflanzen; Zeitschrift; Pflanzenbau; Periodicals; 633
• DOI: 10.2135/cropsci2018.04.0271
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0011-183X

Abstract

Abstract : Turfgrass establishment and persistence in urban environments can be limited by topsoil removal and subsoil compaction. A 3‐yr study (September 2013–June 2016) where tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) was grown with and without irrigation was conducted to compare biosolids‐based amendments with synthetic fertilizer on (i) quality and quantity of tall fescue and (ii) soil properties of a post‐development soil. The experimental design was a split plot with irrigation as the main factor and fertility treatments as the subplot factor. Fertility treatments were applied to meet the agronomic N rate of 224 kg plant available N ha −1 yr −1 for tall fescue during September 2013 to June 2015. Fertility treatments were (i) synthetic fertilizer, (ii) anaerobically digested biosolids, (iii) anaerobically digested biosolids blended with sand and sawdust, (iv) anaerobically digested biosolids blended with sand and sawdust applied at the agronomic P rate of 64 kg P ha −1 yr −1 for tall fescue and supplemented with synthetic N, and (v) composted anaerobically digested biosolids. No fertility treatments were applied from June 2015 to May 2016 to measure residual effects. Greater turfgrass yield and quality, higher soil C and macro‐ and micronutrient concentrations, and reduced soil bulk density were observed for biosolids‐blended products compared with synthetic fertilizer. Applying biosolids at the agronomic P rate did not yield desirable turfgrass quality; however, applying at the agronomic N rate continuously may lead to potential P loss if rates are not reduced.