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TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT

Temporal Effects of Compost and Fertilizer Applications on Nitrogen Fertility of Golf Course Turfgrass

Dep. of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State Univ., 2021 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH 43210

Corresponding author (boehm.1{at}osu.edu)

Received for publication April 4, 2000.

	ABSTRACT

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES

 
Little information is available regarding the effects of compost topdressings on the fertility of low-cut fairway turfgrass. The objectives of this research were to assess: (i) the effects of compost and inorganic fertilizer applications on turfgrass color and growth, (ii) the duration and magnitude of compost topdressings on foliar N concentrations, and (iii) the interaction of compost and fertilizer applications on foliar N concentrations. Nitrogen was applied as inorganic fertilizer at rates of 96, 192, and 384 kg N ha^-1 in 1997 and at 48, 96, and 192 kg N ha^-1 in 1998 and 1999. Compost topdressings were applied every May and September from 1997 to 1999. Compost treatments consisted of: (i) 100% composted biosolids, (ii) a blend of composted biosolids and yard waste, and (iii) a nontopdressed control. Compost topdressings significantly increased turfgrass color, growth, and foliar N concentrations. Color enhancement lasted for up to 8 wk for plots receiving composted biosolids and for up to 5 wk for plots receiving the blend of composts. Composted biosolids increased foliar N concentrations for approximately 50 d following the May topdressings and for 26 d following the September topdressings. Foliar N concentrations following the May topdressings were increased by approximately 50% by the composted biosolids and by approximately 30% by the compost blend compared with the nontopdressed control. Differences in the duration of color enhancement brought about by the composts most likely can be explained by differences in N content of the composts used.

Abbreviations: AUFNC, area under the foliar N curve • HR, high rate • LR, low rate • MR, moderate rate • OARDC, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center

	INTRODUCTION

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES

 
COMPOSTED MATERIALS AND HUMIC SUBSTANCES have long been used by the turfgrass industry as soil conditioners and organic fertilizers (Piper and Oakley, 1917, 1921; Connellan, 1921). Until the 1930s, composted organic amendments served as one of the principal sources of fertilizer used on golf courses (Piper and Oakley, 1921; Welton, 1930). However, the utilization of composts declined dramatically with the advent of synthetic, urea [(NH₂)₂CO]-based fertilizers and organic fertilizers such as Milorganite which offered more consistent and predictive nutrient release characteristics (Westover, 1927). The recent resurgence in the utilization of composted materials has been fueled by an increase in the diversion of solid wastes from surface waters and landfills and an intense desire by the public to develop more environmentally sound waste utilization methods (Schumann et al., 1993; He et al., 1992; Sims, 1990; Barkdoll and Norstedt, 1991). Composting frequently serves such a purpose and with this process comes a renewed source of locally available organic fertilizer.

Much of the research on compost utilization by the turfgrass industry has focused on the suppression of diseases (Nelson and Craft, 1992; Liu et al., 1995; Craft and Nelson, 1996; Nelson, 1996; Landschoot and McNitt, 1997; Boulter et al., 1999; Garling et al., 1999; Garling, 2000), the potential for reducing fungicide use (Skorulski, 1990; Garling, 2000), the effects of composts on physical and chemical properties of soils (He et al., 1992; Giusquiani et al., 1995; Logan and Harrison, 1995; Sims, 1990; Pagliai and Antisari, 1993), and finally, the effects of composts on the fertility of high-cut turfgrasses (Markland et al., 1969; Landschoot and Waddington, 1987; Schumann et al., 1993; Norrie and Gosselin, 1996; Tester et al., 1982; Tester, 1989; Sikora et al., 1980). Little information is currently available on the effects of compost topdressings on the fertility of low cut, high-maintenance turfgrasses such as those typically grown on golf courses.

Schumann et al. (1993) observed enhanced color and growth of tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schreb.) and a Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.)–perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) mixture for up to 32 d following the application of composted biosolids. The authors suggested that the responses were most likely due to a release of plant available nutrients; however, the mineral composition of the turfgrass was not determined after the compost was applied. In both greenhouse and field studies, applications of composted biosolids at increasing rates resulted in a linear increase in tall fescue clipping yields and foliar N concentrations (Sikora et al., 1980; Tester et al., 1982; Tester, 1989). Clipping yields were increased further when inorganic fertilizer (N, P, or N + P) was applied in tandem with compost. Not surprisingly, the largest increases were associated with turf treated with both compost and supplemental N + P (Sikora et al., 1980).

Two separate studies evaluating one source of composted biosolids (Landschoot and Waddington, 1987) and two composted paper-mill sludges (Norrie and Gosselin, 1996) applied to established high-cut turfgrass found the products to be ineffective as fertilizers in the absence of supplemental fertilizer applications. An elevated C/N ratio and low nutrient levels in the composted paper-mill sludges contributed to foliar N concentrations below recommended levels unless the turf was treated with additional applications of fertilizer (Norrie and Gosselin, 1996). Although Landschoot and Waddington (1987) analyzed clippings for total N concentrations, the temporal dynamics of N uptake were not evaluated because they combined clippings from several sampling dates to form composite samples. Craft and Nelson (1996) suggested that enhanced turfgrass nutrition provided by a composted turkey litter–sand topdressing mix may have aided in the suppression of Pythium root rot (Pythium graminicola Subramanian) on a creeping bentgrass [Agrostis stolonifera var. palustris (Huds.) Farw.] putting green. Although Craft and Nelson (1996) determined the N characteristics (total N and H₂O-soluble N) of the compost used in their study, foliar N concentrations following compost applications were not measured, making it impossible to quantify the effects of the topdressing on the nutritional status of the turf beyond qualitative visual observations.

The objectives of this research were to assess: (i) the effects of topdressings prepared from composted biosolids or yard waste and inorganic fertilizer applications on the color and growth of an established creeping bentgrass (‘Penncross’)–annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) sward; (ii) the duration and magnitude of any effects on foliar N concentrations resulting from compost topdressing applications; and (iii) the interactive nature of compost topdressings and N applied as inorganic fertilizer on the foliar N concentrations of low cut, high-maintenance turfgrass.

	MATERIALS AND METHODS

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Experimental Design
A replicated field trial was established in 1997 on an existing sward of creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass (approx. 70:30%) at The Ohio State University Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Research and Education Facility, Columbus. The experimental design was a 3 x 2 x 3 complete factorial with inorganic fertilizer as the main plot factor, core cultivation as the subplot factor, and compost topdressings as the sub-subplot factor. Individual plots measured 2.13 by 2.13 m. A split-split block design was used (n = 3).

Treatments
Inorganic fertilizer was applied at either a low (LR), moderate (MR), or high (HR) rate with an 18–4–18 (N–P₂O₅–K₂O) complete fertilizer (1.56% NH₄–N; 5.22% H₂O-soluble N; 3.84% urea N; and 7.38% slow available H₂O-soluble N from methylene ureas). Total N applied to the plots during the 1997 growing season was 96, 192, and 384 kg N ha^-1, respectively, for the LR, MR, and HR. During 1997, damage caused by Pythium foliar blight [Pythium aphanidermatun (Edson) Fitzp.] and brown patch (Rhizoctonia solani Kühn) occurred in plots treated with 384 kg N ha^-1 and, to a lesser degree, in plots treated with 192 kg N ha^-1. To minimize the development of diseases that are favored by N-replete turf in subsequent years of the study, the N fertility rates in 1998 and 1999 were reduced by 50% to 48, 96, and 192 kg N ha^-1 for the LR, MR, and HR treatments, respectively. Inorganic fertilizer applications were initiated in May of each year of the study, and were applied in 1997 at 24 kg N ha^-1 at 40, 20, and 10 day intervals for the LR, MR, and HR treatments, respectively. The intervals between fertilizer applications were doubled in 1998 to 80, 40, and 20 d for the LR, MR, and HR treatments, respectively, to account for the reduction in total fertilizer applied during the growing season. In 1999, inorganic fertilizer was applied at 48 kg N ha^-1 on 30 April for the MR treatment and on 30 April and 28 June for the HR treatment. The remaining fertilizer applications in 1999 were at a rate of 24 kg N ha^-1. The fertilizer rate in 1999 was increased to 48 kg N ha^-1 at specific times to establish greater differences in percent foliar N concentrations compared with those observed in 1998. One-half of each main plot was core-cultivated (10 by 0.95 cm hollow tines at a rate of 65–80 cores m^-2) before topdressing.

The compost topdressing treatments used in this study were: (i) 100% composted biosolids, (ii) a blend of composted biosolids and composted yard waste [1:1 ratio (vol./vol.)], and (iii) a nontopdressed control. The source of composted biosolids in 1997 was Technagro [Akron, OH; municipal sewage sludge prepared by the in-vessel method (Kuter et al., 1985)]. In 1998 and 1999, the composted biosolids were ComTil [Columbus, OH; municipal sewage sludge prepared by the aerated static pile method (Finstein et al., 1983)]. Two locally available and equivalent sources of yard waste compost were used. Both sources were prepared via the passively aerated static pile method (Grebus et al., 1994). Both compost topdressings were applied at a rate of 31852 L ha^-1 (14.5 L plot^-1) and brushed to achieve a uniform depth of approximately 0.31 cm. All topdressed plots were irrigated immediately following compost applications to reduce NH₃ volatilization and the potential for phytotoxicity. All plots were verticut and dragged to blend the soil cores with the topdressing materials. Excessive thatch and bulking agent were removed by mowing (1.27 cm). The plots were mowed three times per week (clippings removed) and irrigated daily.

The chemical characteristics of the compost topdressings used during 1997 and 1998 are presented in Table 1. All analyses were preformed at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) analytical laboratory (Wooster, OH). The percent total N was measured using a Heraeus Macro N Analyzer in accordance with the Dumas Method (Ebeling, 1968). Nitrate-N was determined by the saturated paste method (Gelderman and Beegle, 1998). All other compost nutrients were determined by inductive-coupled plasma analysis after acid digestion (Warncke, 1998). Heavy metal concentrations were determined by microwave-assisted acid digestion (USEPA, 1995). The percent total N and the concentration of NO₃–N were higher in the composted biosolids compared with the blend of composted biosolids and yard waste in 1997 and 1998 (Table 1). The concentrations of heavy metals added to each plot were below those allowed by USEPA Rule 503 (USEPA, 1997).

Statistical Analysis
Turfgrass color ratings, clipping yields, and percent foliar N were analyzed by ANOVA or GLM procedures using Minitab statistical software (Minitab, State College, PA). Areas under the foliar N curves (AUFNCs) were calculated and analyzed by ANOVA, allowing for the comparison of the cumulative season-long effects of both the inorganic fertilizer and the compost topdressing applications (Campbell and Madden, 1990). All differences reported are significant at P 0.05 unless otherwise indicated. Where appropriate, means were separated with Fisher's LSD (Steel et al., 1997).

	RESULTS

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Turf Color
Inorganic fertilizer applications significantly affected turfgrass color four times in 1997, twice in 1998, and once in 1999 (Table 2). For all cases in which applications of inorganic N fertilizer significantly affected turfgrass color, the most desirable turf color was always associated with the higher inorganic N fertility treatments. For example, on the 20 June 1997 rating date, the mean turf color ratings for the LR, MR, and HR treatments of inorganic N fertilizer were 6.7, 7.9, and 8.0, respectively. In general, core cultivation did not significantly affect turfgrass color.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 2. ANOVA results from visual assessments of turfgrass color (1997–1999)

Clipping Yields
Nitrogen applied as inorganic fertilizer significantly increased clipping yields in both 1997 and 1998 (Fig. 1). In 1997, clipping yields were significantly increased by incrementally increasing rates of inorganic fertilizer at each sample collected between 27 May and 7 July and later in season on 21 August. In 1998, clipping yields were significantly increased by inorganic fertilizer on 17 April and on 6 and 22 May. On 28 May, 12 June, and 3 September, a trend was observed suggesting higher clipping yields with increasing amounts of N applied as inorganic fertilizer (P 0.10). Core cultivation did not affect clipping yield dry weights in either season (data not shown).

View larger version (30K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 1. Effects of inorganic fertilizer treatments on clipping yields. Error bars represent standard error (n = 18). Dashed vertical lines represent dates of compost topdressing applications. Means are averaged across compost topdressing treatments. N fertilizer applied in 1997 for the low (LR), moderate (MR), and high (HR) rate treatments were 96, 192, and 394 kg N ha-1, respectively. N fertilizer applied in 1998 for the LR, MR, and HR treatments were 48, 96, and 192 kg N ha-1, respectively

View larger version (28K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 2. Effects of compost topdressings on clipping yields. Error bars represent standard error (n = 18). Dashed vertical lines represent dates of compost topdressing applications. Means are averaged across treatments of inorganic fertilizer

View larger version (22K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 3. Effects of inorganic fertilizer treatments on percent foliar N. Error bars represent standard error (n = 18). Dashed vertical lines represent dates of compost topdressing applications. Means are averaged across compost topdressing treatments. Nitrogen fertilizer applied in 1997 for the low (LR), moderate (MR), and high (HR) rate treatments were 96, 192, and 394 kg N ha-1, respectively. N fertilizer applied in 1998 and 1999 for the LR, MR and HR treatments were 48, 96, and 192 kg N ha-1, respectively. Significant inorganic fertilizer x compost topdressing interactions were observed only on 25% of the rating dates over the 3-yr study, and all of these occurred within 50 d after the May topdressing applications

View larger version (22K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 4. Effects of compost topdressings on percent foliar N. Error bars represent standard error (n = 18). Dashed vertical lines represent dates of compost topdressing applications. Means are averaged across treatments of inorganic fertilizer. Significant inorganic fertilizer x compost topdressing interactions were observed only on 25% of the rating dates over the 3-yr study, and all of these occurred within 50 d after the May topdressing applications

	DISCUSSION

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES

The observation that turfgrass treated with composts containing a higher concentration of N yielded higher concentrations of foliar N in turf is further evidence to support the relationship described in the preceding paragraph (Fig. 4). Topdressing with composted biosolids caused an increase in foliar N that lasted approximately 8 wk while applications of the blend of composted biosolids and yard waste increased foliar N for only 6 wk. The magnitudes of the observed differences were also impacted by the N content in the topdressings (Fig. 4). In all 3 yr, the composted biosolids treatment increased the concentration of foliar N by approximately 50% above that measured in the nontopdressed control (Fig. 4). Blended product increased foliar N by only approximately 30% compared with the nontopdressed control (Fig. 4). This ability of compost topdressings to significantly enhance the color, growth, and concentration of foliar N in a mixed sward of creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass is consistent with previous observations of compost topdressing applications on Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue (Sikora et al., 1980; Tester, 1989; Schumann et al., 1993).

The positive cumulative effects of the applications of compost topdressing and inorganic N fertilizer, as expressed by AUFNCs, highlight some of the practical issues related to fertility management that end users must consider during the utilization of composts on high-maintenance turfgrasses. The AUFNCs (Table 3) clearly revealed that compost topdressings can substantially increase plant available N. For example, during the 1998 growing season, the low level of N applied as inorganic fertilizer combined with an application of composted biosolids resulted in a foliar N concentration, expressed as AUFNC, equivalent to the MR and HR of inorganic fertilizer alone. Similarly, the foliar N concentration, expressed as AUFNC, with the MR of N applied as inorganic fertilizer combined with an application of composted biosolids was equivalent to the HR of inorganic fertilizer alone and the HR superimposed on the blend of composts (Table 3). This fertility effect on turfgrass color resulting from the application of compost topdressings is significant and will need to be considered in the design of fertility programs that include both compost topdressing and applications of inorganic N fertilizer.

Although compost topdressings have been evaluated on creeping bentgrass for their ability to suppress diseases (Nelson and Craft, 1992; Liu et al., 1995; Craft and Nelson, 1996; Nelson, 1996; Landschoot and McNitt, 1997; Boulter et al., 1999; Garling et al., 1999; Garling, 2000), increase establishment rates in sand-based root zones (Markham, 1998), and now, improve turfgrass fertility, their widespread use by the golf course industry has yet to occur. One reason for this lack of acceptance undoubtedly is the inherent variability in physical and chemical characteristics of most composts. Characteristics such as appearance, odor, moisture content, trace metal content, pathogen contamination potential, and fertility- and soil-conditioning values are a few of the indicators that have been used to determine the quality of a particular compost. Even so, definitive guidelines for these characteristics that are indicative of compost quality have yet to be established (Landschoot and McNitt, 1994; He et al., 1992; Dinelli, 1999). Secondly, inconsistencies in turfgrass responses within batches of the same compost source and among different sources of composts is another reason for the continued reliance on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and cultural management strategies for management of turfgrass diseases (Landschoot and McNitt, 1997; Nelson, 1996; Jackson, 1999).

Despite these difficulties, the composts used in this work clearly enhanced turfgrass color and increased growth and foliar N concentrations of a mixed sward of creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass maintained under golf course fairway conditions. Both the magnitude and duration of the turfgrass responses were directly related to the chemical characteristics (total N and NO₃–N) of the topdressing mixes. However, the possibility that plant nutrients other than N provided by the compost topdressings may also have contributed to the observed differences in color and growth cannot be ruled out. Likewise, the stimulation of indigenous plant growth promoting microorganisms and biocontrol agents or the addition of such microorganisms by the compost topdressings themselves (Hoitink and Boehm, 1999), also may have contributed to the observed differences in color, growth, or even foliar N. Further research is needed to separate the effects of N, macro- and micronutrients, and microbiologically mediated processes on turfgrasses induced by application of compost topdressings. This may be especially important for diseases such as dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa Bennet), rust (Puccinia spp.), Pythium foliar blight and brown patch, which are affected by N fertility rate (Smiley et al., 1992). Nonetheless, the ability of these composts to provide nutritional benefits to golf course turf may prove to be an environmentally sound alternative use for ever-increasing sources of locally available urban solid wastes.

	ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

 
Support for this project was provided by the USDA North Central Integrated Pest Management Grants Program and the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation. Salaries and research support provided by state and federal funds appropriated to the OARDC, The Ohio State University. We also gratefully acknowledge Dr. J.R. Street, L.H. Rhodes, H.A.J. Hoitink, L.V. Madden, D.J. Shetlar, D.Y. Han, and J. Bigham as well as Mr. J.W. Rimelspach for their assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.

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