Runoff Water Quality from Turfgrass Established Using Volume‐Based Composted Municipal Biosolids Applications

Abstract

Municipal programs for turfgrass establishment recommend large volume-based application rates of composted municipal biosolids (CMB). This study compared runoff water quality among combinations of two common turfgrass establishment practices and two CMB sources. Bryan- or Austin-CMB were incorporated into 5 cm of soil at a rate of 12.5 or 25% by volume (v/v) on an 8.5% slope. Tifway bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy, var. Tifway] sprigs were planted and established; sod, produced at a separate site using either CMB amendment at the 25% v/v rate, was transplanted to the runoff plots on the same day. A mature stand of bermudagrass was used as a control. Runoff water was collected after each of eight natural rain events during the sampling period. Total runoff water loss (mm) was similar for the CMB-amended sprigged and transplanted sod stands. The concentration of total dissolved P (TDP) in runoff water was greatest from the transplanted sod in the first seven rain events (4.1 to 7.5 mg L(-1)). The concentration of TDP in runoff water was similar at both the 12.5 and 25% v/v incorporation rates. Regression analysis indicated Mehlich-3-extractable soil test P concentrations in soil amended with CMB were positively correlated to concentration and mass loss of dissolved P in runoff. At similar application rates, dissolved P loss in runoff water was reduced by incorporating CMB into the soil on site rather than transplanting sod produced with CMB.

Effect of Turfgrass Establishment Practices and Composted Biosolids on Water Quality

“…Transplanted sod was rooted within the subsoil layer, and sprigged Tifway covered 80% of the soil surface within 4 wk of planting. Large variation of rainfall depths among the seven events (18.8 to 75 mm) from 16 June through 5 July 2006 was comparable to or greater than variation recorded previously among multiple events for studies of nutrient runoff loss during turfgrass establishment at this site (Hansen et al, 2007; Vietor et al, 2004).…”

“…As reported for manure applications on soil exposed to simulated rain (Kleinman et al, 2002), incorporation of CMB before planting of turfgrass provides an option for reducing nutrient runoff loss compared to topdressed CMB. Nutrient runoff losses during establishment under natural rain depths from 13 to 49 mm were lower for Tifway bermudagrass sprigged in soil mixed with CMB than for Tifway sod transplanted from plots topdressed with CMB (Hansen et al, 2007). Similar to incorporation of CMB in soil before sprigging, incorporation during the production phase before sod is harvested and transplanted could reduce nutrient runoff loss.…”

Runoff and Leachate Phosphorus and Nitrogen Losses from Grass‐Vegetated Soil Boxes Amended with Biosolids and Fertilizer

“…Recall that routine soil testing (e.g., the Mehlich‐3 procedure) serves primarily to judge the likelihood of crop response to P fertilization, not to predict or assess P loss potential. Indeed, soil tests often fail to accurately reflect the release of soil P to surface water (Kleinman et al, 2000; Sims et al, 2000; Hansen et al, 2007). The mechanisms involved in plant P uptake are different than those governing offsite P transport.…”

“…Although there is extensive information regarding environmental P risk using indoor rainfall simulations, much less attention has been paid to assessing N losses from different N sources. To date, few studies evaluated the simultaneous risk of N and P transport from soils receiving organic and inorganic fertilizer sources (Hansen et al, 2007; Diaz et al, 2010; Kibet et al, 2014). The lack of research on this topic is largely due to the complexity of the mechanisms controlling N dynamics.…”

Effects of Compost Sources and Seeding Treatments on Germination and Emergence of Four Turfgrass Species

“…Compost is also a source of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which are particularly important for soils that have been degraded by disturbance (e.g., construction). Top-dressings of composted municipal biosolids increased nutrient concentrations in soil and clippings and enhanced turfgrass color, quality, and growth (Garling and Boehm 2001;Hansen et al 2007;. Curtis and Claassen (2009) have provided additional evidence demonstrating the successful regeneration of topsoil by incorporation of compost into disturbed soils.…”