Response of tropical turfgrasses to recycled water in southern Queensland

Abstract

The effects of recycled water (effluent) on 8 tropical grasses growing in 100-L bags of sand were studied in Murrumba Downs, just north of Brisbane in southern Queensland (27.4°S, 153.1°E). The species used were: Axonopus compressus (broad-leaf carpetgrass), Cynodon dactylon (bermudagrass ‘Winter Green’) and C. dactylon × C. transvaalensis hybrid (‘Tifgreen’), Digitaria didactyla (Queensland blue couch), Paspalum notatum (bahiagrass ‘38824’), Stenotaphrum secundatum (buffalograss ‘Palmetto’), Eremochloa ophiuroides (centipedegrass ‘Centec’) and Zoysia japonica (zoysiagrass ‘ZT-11’). From May 2002 to June 2003, control plots were irrigated with potable water and fertilised monthly. Plots irrigated with effluent received no fertiliser from May to August 2002 (deficient phase), complete fertilisers at control rates from September to December 2002 (recovery phase) and nitrogen (N) only at control rates from January to June 2003 (supplementary phase). In October 2002, the average shoot weight of plants from the effluent plots was 4% of that from potable plots, with centipedegrass less affected than the other species (relative growth of 20%). Shoot N concentrations declined by 40% in the effluent plots from May to August 2002 (1.8 ± 0.1%) along with phosphorus (P, 0.46 ± 0.02%), potassium (K, 1.6 ± 0.2%), sulfur (S, 0.28 ± 0.02%) and manganese (Mn, 19 ± 2 mg/kg) concentrations. Only the N and Mn concentrations were below the optimum for grasses. The grasses grew satisfactorily when irrigated with effluent if it was supplemented with N. Between January and June 2003 the average weight of shoots from the effluent plots was 116% of the weight of shoots from the control plots. Shoot nutrient concentrations were also similar in the 2 regimes at this time. The recycled water supplied 23% of the N required for maximum shoot growth, 80–100% of the P and K, and 500–880% of the S, calcium and magnesium. The use of recycled water represents savings in irrigation and fertiliser costs, and reductions in the discharge of N and P to local waterways. Effluent is currently about 50% of the cost of potable water with a saving of about AU$8000/ha.year for a typical sporting field.

Treated sewage effluent: Agronomical and economical aspects on bermudagrass production

“…In this study, we hypothesized that irrigation using TSE as a partial source of N associated with N regular-fertilizer may affect DM production and N concentration in the shoots and the economic feasibility. Menzel and Broomhall (2006) identified an increase of 4% on DM for bermudagrass irrigated with TSE in comparison to irrigation with potable water. These authors reported a 40% decrease in N leaf concentration in plants irrigated with TSE between May and August.…”

“…Between 1960 and 2010 the average U.S. farm price of a ton of urea fertilizer (44-46% of N) increased from US$ 82 to US$ 448 (USDA, 2010). Menzel and Broomhall (2006) concluded that TSE costs 50% of the costs of potable water (PW), thus enabling savings of AU$ 8000 ha −1 year −1 .…”

Comparison of fresh versus effluent water irrigation on soil chemical properties of golf course greens and fairways

“…Soil from Golf Course A fairways had greater K concentration than that of Golf Course B in 2010, 2012, and 2013, or 3, 5, and 6 yr after effluent water irrigation started on Golf Course A. These differences could be due to the amount of K in effluent water as Menzel and Broomhall (2006) have indicated.…”

Long-Term Effects of Effluent Water Irrigation on Soil Chemical Properties of Sand-Based Putting Greens

“…Soil Na concentration increased almost 5.5 times since the start of using effluent water, and the value (156 kg ha −1 ) was in the moderate risk range (>210 is in high risk) [23]. A study Arid Environments and Sustainability done in 2005 found that effluent water provided enough K, Ca, and Mg for plants [24]. The authors suggested that soil with excessive amounts of K could lead to base saturation imbalance, and highly soluble salts tie up other elements such as B, Ca, and Mg.…”