Compost Application Practices for Improving Turfgrass Establishment and Quality On a Disturbed Urban Soil.

Construction practices degrade the soil environment, and one potential method to enhance vegetation establishment is through compost application. The objective of this study is to determine optimum rates and application processes for improving disturbed soils. In March 2009 field studies were initiated to compare the effects of various compost rates and incorporation treatments including: (1) fertilizer control; (2) 2.5 cm compost surface applied; (3) 2.5 cm compost incorporated; (4) 5.0 cm compost incorporated; (5) 0.6 cm compost blanket; and (6) straw mat. Turfgrass quality was assessed visually and soil properties were evaluated. In year one, turfgrass density increased with compost rate applied, whereas color (greenness) increased with time, and biomass was affected by time but not by treatment. Inadequate soil K and P concentrations for turfgrass establishment were supplemented by the composted treatments. The 5.0 cm compost incorporated treatment provided the highest concentrations of P and organic C to the soil. These results indicate that compost treatments could supply more than the necessary nutrients required for turfgrass establishment after disturbance from construction practices. Our 2009 results suggested that the 5.0 cm incorporated treatment had the greatest improvement in turfgrass quality. Data collected in 2010 will also be presented.