The Effect of Compost Tea Additions On Extractable Soil Nutrients and Microbial Activity.

Compost teas are solutions that result from placing a mature compost in water using an aerated brewing method. These teas are said to be rich in beneficial microorganisms and plant-available nutrients, which increases plant growth and productivity and improves soil quality. Observing an increase in plant-available nutrients in soils that have received compost tea applications has been alluded to increased microbial activity. Compost tea was prepared from a commercial green-waste compost was applied to turfgrass plots in a temperate (25C) greenhouse environment. Teas were applied at variable rates based on recommended application rates to low-management urban turfgrass environments. The volume of liquid applied was based on a 1/8 inch rain event. Preliminary results showed that the recommended rate of application for compost teas to these turfgrasses (468 L·ha^-1 (50 g·ac^-1) was too low to cause an increase in soil microbial activity. The comparison between microbial activity, soil leachable nutrients and soil extractable nutrients was examined in relation to the compost tea treatments to draw this conclusion. Next steps in this research topic will be presented.