A Review of Turfgrass Fertilizer Management Practices: Implications for Urban Water Quality

Carey, Richard O.; Hochmuth, George; Martinez, Christopher J.; Boyer, Treavor H.; Nair, Vimala D.; Dukes, Michael D.; Toor, Gurpal S.; Shober, Amy L.; Cisar, John O.; Trenholm, Laurie E.; Sartain, J. B.

doi:10.21273/horttech.22.3.280

Cited by 71 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 94 publications

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“…Land use type had a significant effect on N attenuation (p < 0.01, one-way ANOVA), and attenuation in turf sites was significantly greater than pasture or crop sites (Tukey's post hoc comparisons). Across all turf sites, mean nitrate attenuation was 90 ± 4% (Table 2), which is consistent with previous studies that show turf systems are highly efficient at attenuating N inputs, especially during the summer months (Barton and Colmer, 2006;Carey et al, 2012). The relatively low variability of turf attenuation, compared with crop and pasture, suggests that general categorization of urban turf is likely sufficient when scaling estimates up to the catchment scale.…”

Section: Urban Fluxes and Attenuationsupporting

confidence: 88%

In Situ Measurement of Nitrate Flux and Attenuation Using a Soil Passive Flux Meter

Desormeaux

Annable

Dobberfuhl³

et al. 2019

J of Env Quality

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This work enhances our understanding of catchment‐scale N budgets by demonstrating the modification and application of a simple method for direct in situ measurements of vadose zone nitrate leaching and attenuation. We developed a soil passive flux meter (SPFM) to measure solute leaching based on a modified design of ion‐exchange resin columns, and we tested the design in numerical simulations, laboratory experiments, plot‐scale field experiments, and a catchment‐scale field deployment. Our design minimized flow divergence around the resin column to attain nearly 100% capture of surface applied tracers in plot‐ and catchment‐scale deployments. We found that mixing resin with native soil and extending the column height 10 cm above the resin layer minimized divergence of soil water around the column, resulting in a field‐measured convergence factor (χ) of 1.3 that was consistent with numerical simulations. For catchment‐scale testing, SPFMs were used at nine sites in three dominant land uses (crop, pasture, and turf) with known N inputs in two deployments, one during the 4‐mo wet season and an additional set during the 8‐mo dry season, to obtain integral annual measures of soil nitrate fluxes. In situ measured nitrate leaching determined from the SPFMs was positively correlated with known N inputs (R2 = 0.55, p < 0.05) and attenuation averaged 67% (± 24% SD) of inputs across all sites. Although N inputs explain a large portion of the variability, our results emphasize the importance of both inter‐ and intra‐land use variability in landscape‐scale N budgets. Core Ideas We developed a soil passive flux meter (SPFM) to measure solute leaching in situ. Our design minimized flow divergence around the resin column (nearly 100% capture). The SPFMs provided robust and accurate measurements of soil nitrate leaching. The SPFMs, together with N input data, enabled assessment of nitrate attenuation.

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Section: Urban Fluxes and Attenuationsupporting

confidence: 88%

In Situ Measurement of Nitrate Flux and Attenuation Using a Soil Passive Flux Meter

Desormeaux

Annable

Dobberfuhl³

et al. 2019

J of Env Quality

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“…Visual observations at our turf site did reveal low runoff and streamflow during storms and base flow. Furthermore, Quiroga-Garza (2001) and Carey et al (2012) report low risk of N leaching from slow-release urea fertilizers similar to the type applied at Winterthur. We speculate that the type of fertilizer applied, the relatively modest/optimal fertilizer application rates (applied once a year), and the routine mowing all contributed to a turf system that was in a continuous, vigorous state of growth most of the year and thus was effective in retaining the nutrients.…”

Section: Suburban Landscape Management and Vegetation Effects On Watementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Providing homeowners with additional information regarding best management practices for lawn maintenance may prove a cost-effective method for policy makers in reducing nutrient and chemical runoff in suburban areas (Carey et al, 2012). For example, Maryland recently became one of eleven states to ban phosphorus in commercial fertilizer, citing its environmental impact to the Chesapeake Bay (SM News Net, 2014).…”

Section: Conclusion and Environmental Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparative Assessment of Runoff Nitrogen from Turf, Forest, Meadow, and Mixed Landuse Watersheds

Bachman¹,

Inamdar²,

Barton³

et al. 2016

J American Water Resour Assoc

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Landscaping paradigms that encourage high-input, intensively managed and mono-culture turf/ lawn landscapes have raised concerns about water quality. We conducted a watershed-scale assessment of landscaping practices that included turf, urban, forest, native meadow, and mixed landuse watersheds with a professional golf course and a parking lot. The turf site was moderately managed and had lower fertilizer inputs than those typically used by homeowners and golf courses. Stream water sampling was performed during base flow and storm events. Highest nitrate and total nitrogen concentrations in runoff were observed for the mixed watershed draining the golf course. In contrast, concentrations in base flow from the turf watershed were lower than expected and were comparable to those measured in the surrounding meadow and forest sites. Total nitrogen concentrations from the turf site increased sharply during the first storms following fertilization, suggesting that despite optimal management there exists a risk for nutrient runoff following fertilization. Overall, this study suggests that turf or lawns, when managed properly, pose minimal water quality risk to surface waters. Rate, timing of application, and the type of fertilizer appear to be the key factors affecting water quality. Better education of homeowners and landscaping professionals with regard to these factors may be a cost-effective strategy to reduce nonpoint source pollution.(KEY TERMS: water quality; suburban watersheds; nitrogen; turf; lawns; nonpoint source pollution.)

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“…Urban landscapes, and the soils that support them, can accumulate heavy metals and other nutrient chemicals through widespread atmospheric deposition or more site-specific point and corridor pollution events. The source of these heavy metals and nutrients may be local industry, vehicles and transport corridors, and excess fertilizer use in public and private green space (Carey et al, 2012;Milesi et al, 2005). If the capacity of urban soils to buffer or retain these pollutants is exceeded, the pollutants can percolate into the groundwater or waterways with negative impacts on riparian ecology, local human health, and food production (De Kimpe and Morel, 2000;Groffman et al, 2009;Law et al, 2004;Valtanen et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil Carbon and Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio Change under Tree Canopy, Tall Grass, and Turf Grass Areas of Urban Green Space

et al. 2016

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Soils in urban green spaces are an important carbon (C) store, but urban soils with a high carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio can also buffer N eutrophication from fertilizer use or atmospheric deposition. The influence of vegetation management practices on soil C cycling and C/N ratios in urban green spaces is largely unknown. In 2013, we collected replicate (n = 3) soil samples from tree canopy, tall grass, and short turf grass areas (n = 3) at four random plot locations (n = 4) established in 13 golf courses (n = 13). At each sample point, soil was separated into 0‐ to 0.1‐, 0.1‐ to 0.2‐, and 0.2‐ to 0.3‐m depths (total n = 1404). Linear mixed models investigated the relationships between soil properties, vegetation attributes, and green space age. Tree canopy soil was less compacted (1.07 g cm−3) than grassy areas (1.32 g cm−3). Similarly, tree canopy soil had mean C/N ratios of 17.2, as compared with between 14.2 and 15.3 in grassy areas. Soil properties in tree canopy areas were best explained by tree basal area and understory vegetation volume. Soil C/N increased with increasing understory vegetation, and the difference in soil C/N between tree canopy and short turf grass areas increased over time. The soil properties in tree canopy areas of urban green space mean they can increasingly buffer the localized use of N fertilizers and atmospheric N deposition. Managers of urban green spaces concerned about N pollution of groundwater and waterways could consider planting trees in suitable topographic locations and promoting understory vegetation and surface litter accumulation. Core Ideas We sampled soil under tree canopy, tall grass, and short grass in 13 urban greenspaces. Tree canopy soil had significantly greater soil C density and C/N ratios. Soil C/N ratios increased significantly with increasing green space age. Soil C and C/N were best modeled by tree basal area and understory vegetation. Tree canopy areas can be managed to buffer nitrogen eutrophication.

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A Review of Turfgrass Fertilizer Management Practices: Implications for Urban Water Quality

Cited by 71 publications

References 94 publications

In Situ Measurement of Nitrate Flux and Attenuation Using a Soil Passive Flux Meter

In Situ Measurement of Nitrate Flux and Attenuation Using a Soil Passive Flux Meter

A Comparative Assessment of Runoff Nitrogen from Turf, Forest, Meadow, and Mixed Landuse Watersheds

Soil Carbon and Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio Change under Tree Canopy, Tall Grass, and Turf Grass Areas of Urban Green Space

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