Turfgrass Growth, N Use, and Water Use under Soil Compaction and N Fertilization¹

Abstract

Soil compaction is a problem in many turf areas. In this greenhouse study the effects of soil compaction on turfgrass growth, N use, and water use were investigated. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. ‘Pennfine’) was subjected to two compaction treatments with an 11.5 kg falling weight: a) none and b) heavy–874 J energy. Two parts of fine, montmorillonitic mesic, Aquic Argiudoll soil (Chase silt loam) was used to one part medium silica sand by volume. Fertilization rate treatments were 0.5 and 1.0 kg N/100m2. Nitrogen carrier treatments were water soluble N applied as NH4NO3 and water insoluble N applied as IBDU (isobutylidine diurea). Compaction increased bulk density, water retention, and soil strength, while decreasing aeration porosity. Visual quality, clipping yield, N use per unit area of sod, evapotranspiration, and root growth declined with compaction. Verdure, total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC), and percent N in leaf tissue were not affected by compaction. Initial TNC levels, water use efficiency, and N use per unit area, increased as N rate increased. Clipping yield, N use per unit area, and water use efficiency were higher with a water‐soluble N carrier. Percent N in leaf tissue, early in the study, increased with water‐insoluble fertilizer. The most detrimental effects of compaction were on root weight and distribution at the high N rate. Application of high N did not compensate for the adverse effects of compaction.

Response of a Cool-Season Turf Mixture to Composted Chicken Manure in a Mediterranean Environment

“…It is well known that N fertilizers ensure fast and uniform turfgrass growth, acceptable color and quality and high shoot density (Beard, 1973;McCarty, 2001). In close agreement with our studies, turf color and quality were affected by differing N fertility treatments, and increasing N significantly enhanced the color and quality ratings of several turf mixtures compared with an unfertilized control (Sills and Carrow, 1983;Bilgili and Acikgoz, 2005).…”

Soil Compaction and Growth of Woody Plants

“…Current losses undoubtedly are much greater. Growth inhibition and/or mortality of woody plants by soil compaction have been thoroughly documented in recreation areas such as parks and golf courses (Davis 1952, Lunt 1956, Madison 1971, Carrow 1981, Sills & Carrow 1983, Carrow & Petrovic 1992, construction sites (Alberty et al 1984, Randrup 1997, urban areas (Patterson 1977, Yingling et al 1979, Jim 1993, timber harvesting areas (Youngberg 1959, Sands & Bowen 1978, Cochran & Brock 1985, Reisinger et al 1988, Stewart et al 1988, Firth & Murphy 1989, Mohd. Basri & Nik Muhamad 1992, fruit orchards (Richards & Cockroft 1974), agroforestry systems (Wairiu et al 1993) and tree nurseries (Boyer & South 1988).…”

Soil Compaction and Moisture Stress Preconditioning in Kentucky Bluegrass. I. Soil Aeration, Water Use, and Root Responses1

“…C OMPACTIVE pressure of vehicular and foot traffic reduces aeration, increases bulk density, increases soil strength, and changes pore size distribution (1, 4,17,20).…”