Effects of Wastewater Sludge Topdressing on Color, Quality, and Clipping Yield of a Turfgrass Mixture

Abstract

<jats:p>The objectives of the present study were to determine the effects of the rate and timing of the application of sun-dried wastewater sludge from a food processing company's wastewater system on turfgrass growth and quality. The results were compared with those obtained with ammonium nitrate, and changes in the concentration of heavy metals and the presence of fecal coliform in turf soils after sun-dried wastewater sludge application were determined. The rate and the timing of sun-dried wastewater sludge and ammonium nitrate applications affected the turf color, quality, and clipping yield. Monthly fertilization resulted in a more uniform color and turf quality than infrequent spring and fall fertilization. Compared with the background values of base soils, heavy metals did not accumulate in sun-dried wastewater sludge-amended soils over the test period. Fecal coliform was not detected in sludge-amended soil samples, indicating that bacteria regrowth did not occur during the study period.</jats:p>

Irrigation Level and Nitrogen Rate Affect Evapotranspiration and Quality of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

“…The N fertilization requirement of turfgrass species generally varies from 0 to 100 kg N ha -1 , but on average, 50 kg ha -1 is recommended for perennial ryegrass per growing month (Beard, 1973). Our previous studies also indicated that acceptable quality of perennial ryegrass under conditions similar to those in the present study can be maintained by the application of 50 kg N ha -1 per month during the active growing period Acikgoz, 2005, 2011a;Bilgili et al, 2011b). In close agreement with those studies, 50 kg N ha -1 per month fertilization regime (N 2 fertilization treatment) resulted in acceptable turf visual color and quality as well as the highest clipping yields throughout both seasons in the present study (Table 4 and 5).…”

“…After reaching a height of 6-8 cm (18 May, 15 June, 12 July, 20 August and 18 September in 2007 and 14 May, 10 June, 17 July, 26 August and September 24 in 2008), a 0.5 m × 1.0 m strip of turfgrass at the centre of each subplot was clipped to a height of 4 cm. The clipped turfgrass was removed and dried at 70°C for 24 h and then weighed according to Bilgili et al (2011b). On each clipping date, prior to mowing, turfgrass color ratings were visually assessed on a scale from 1-9 (1=completely yellow; 9=dark green) (Mehall et al, 1983;Frank et al, 2004;Bilgili and Acıkgoz, 2005).…”

Using Sewage Sludge as Alternative Fertilizer: Effects on Turf Performance of Perennial Ryegrass

“…Grabowski et al [52] stated that utilizing municipal sewage sludge as a cost-effective and ecological method to establish turf areas is a positive approach that significantly influences the winter survival, turf density, color, and aesthetic appearance (general appearance) of the turfgrass, particularly at the highest application rate of 31 t da −1 . Many other researchers' results confirm that the sludge application substantially improved the turfgrass quality characteristics, including leaf greenness and nutrient supply [53][54][55].…”

“…Therefore, the sewage sludges used in this research were deemed to not cause environmental harm or to represent any health risk concerning heavy metals. The previous study [54] indicated that sun-dried sewage sludge collected from a food processing company's wastewater system can be utilized as an N fertilizer for turfgrass without raising the risk of heavy metal in the soil. Researchers found that fecal coliform regrowth was not observed in sludge-amended soil samples that were examined monthly.…”