Biosolids‐Based Amendments Improve Tall Fescue Establishment and Urban Soils

Abstract

Turfgrass establishment and persistence in urban environments can be limited by topsoil removal and subsoil compaction. A 3‐yr study (September 2013–June 2016) where tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) was grown with and without irrigation was conducted to compare biosolids‐based amendments with synthetic fertilizer on (i) quality and quantity of tall fescue and (ii) soil properties of a post‐development soil. The experimental design was a split plot with irrigation as the main factor and fertility treatments as the subplot factor. Fertility treatments were applied to meet the agronomic N rate of 224 kg plant available N ha−1 yr−1 for tall fescue during September 2013 to June 2015. Fertility treatments were (i) synthetic fertilizer, (ii) anaerobically digested biosolids, (iii) anaerobically digested biosolids blended with sand and sawdust, (iv) anaerobically digested biosolids blended with sand and sawdust applied at the agronomic P rate of 64 kg P ha−1 yr−1 for tall fescue and supplemented with synthetic N, and (v) composted anaerobically digested biosolids. No fertility treatments were applied from June 2015 to May 2016 to measure residual effects. Greater turfgrass yield and quality, higher soil C and macro‐ and micronutrient concentrations, and reduced soil bulk density were observed for biosolids‐blended products compared with synthetic fertilizer. Applying biosolids at the agronomic P rate did not yield desirable turfgrass quality; however, applying at the agronomic N rate continuously may lead to potential P loss if rates are not reduced.

Using Hyperspectral and Multispectral Indices to Detect Water Stress for an Urban Turfgrass System

“…The results presented are part of an ongoing research study assessing tall fescue growth and maintenance in an anthropogenically developed clayey soil that began in August 2013. Initial site description, field preparation, soil benchmark sampling and analysis, irrigation installation, fertility applications, and plant establishment management were reported by Badzmierowski et al [41].…”

“…The fifth amendment treatment was synthetic fertilizer N (as S-coated urea) (FER). Triple superphosphate (0-46-0 N-P-K) and muriate of potash (0-0-60 N-P-K) applications for 2017 to 2018 were adjusted for the synthetic fertilizer treatment plots and biosolids treatment plots, based on September 2015 soil test results [41].…”

“…Turfgrass clipping and N analysis of tissue content remained the same as reported in Badzmierowski et al [41]. Turfgrass clipping yield was collected every other week throughout the growing season by mowing a single pass down the center of each plot.…”

“…In the following year, BBN and CBN had yielded the greater turfgrass quality, biomass, and tissue N accumulation. The improved tall fescue response from the BBN, CBN, and DBN amendments is most likely a result of a long-term accumulation of benefits (e.g., slow release of nutrients and reduced soil bulk density) derived from multiple applications of organic matter and organic N inputs beginning in 2013 [41].…”

Biosolids amendments improve an anthropogenically disturbed urban turfgrass system

“…Our initial results for the trial (August 2013–June 2016) discussed the effects of biosolids amendments compared with a synthetic fertilizer program on tall fescue turfgrass establishment and soil properties grown with or without irrigation during summer stress (Badzmierowski, Evanylo, Ervin, Boyd, & Brewster, 2019). We hypothesized that the added organic matter from biosolids amendments would improve summer stress tolerance by improving available water capacity.…”