Turfgrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) sod production on sandy soils: I. Effects of irrigation and fertiliser regimes on growth and quality

Abstract

The effects on growth, quality and N uptake by turfgrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) during sod production of four fertiliser types applied at three application rates (100, 200 or 300 kg N ha )1 per 'crop') under two irrigation treatments (70% and 140% daily replacement of pan evaporation) were investigated. The fertiliser types were: water-soluble (predominately NH 4 NO 3 ), control-release, pelletised poultry manure, and pelletised biosolids; and the experiment was conducted on a sandy soil in a Mediterranean-type climate. Plots were established from rhizomes, with the turfgrass harvested as sod every 16-28 weeks depending upon the time of the year. Four crops were produced during the study. Applying water-soluble and controlrelease fertilisers doubled shoot growth and improved turfgrass greenness by up to 10% in comparison with plots receiving pelletised poultry manure and pelletised biosolids. Nitrogen uptake into the shoots after four crops (averaged across irrigation treatments and N rates) was 497 kg N ha )1 for the water-soluble fertiliser, 402 kg N ha )1 for the control-release, 188 kg N ha )1 for the pelletised poultry manure and 237 kg N ha )1 for the pelletised biosolids. Consequently, the agronomic nitrogen-use efficiency (NAE, kg DM kg )1 N applied) of the inorganic fertilisers was approximately twice that of the organic fertilisers. Increasing irrigation from 70% to 140% replacement of pan evaporation was detrimental to turfgrass growth and N uptake for the first crop when supplied with the water-soluble fertiliser. Under the low irrigation treatment, inorganic N fertilisers applied at 200-300 kg N ha )1 were adequate for production of turfgrass sod.

Management alters C allocation in turfgrass lawns

“…managed as golf course rough (Qian et al, 2010), although the effect disappeared by the fourth year after establishment. A study of couch grass (Cynodon dactylon L.) grown for sod production tested the effects of both N fertilization and irrigation (Barton, Wan, & Colmer, 2006); fertilization increased total biomass production by up to tenfold, with production of clippings and roots showing the strongest response, while excessive irrigation decreased clippings production, and in some cases standing root biomass as well. While limited, these results offer preliminary evidence that turfgrass can respond strongly to management.…”

Response of a Cool-Season Turf Mixture to Composted Chicken Manure in a Mediterranean Environment

“…Similarly, in Cynodon dactylon L. sod, Barton et al (2006) indicated that chemical N fertilizers doubled shoot growth and improved turfgrass greenness in comparison with plots receiving pelletized poultry manure or biosolids.…”

“…Despite the existence of several studies on the effects of animal waste and bio-solids on turfgrasses, limited published data are available regarding the effects of using composted chicken (Gallus gallus) manure as a topdressing material. Barton et al (2006) indicated that water-soluble and control-release chemical N fertilizers produced better shoot growth and color than pelletized poultry manure in Cynodon dactylon sod. The nitrogen use efficiency of the poultry manure was also much lower than that of inorganic fertilizers.…”

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Some Turfgrass Characteristics of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

“…In both cases, by adjusting N fertilizer rates and water supply, turfgrass visual color and quality will be able to be maintained. Similarly, Barton et al [24] also recommend that under the low irrigation treatment, inorganic N fertilizers applied at 200-300 kg N/ha were adequate for the production of turfgrass sod. Many studies have considered the effects of various N fertilization rates on quality, but very few have included the practice of returning grass clippings.…”