In Colorado, high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus are contaminating the water along the South Platte River. To alleviate some of this contamination, research was conducted focusing on topdressing composted dairy manure on turfgrass at rates of 0, 33, 66, and 99 m3 ha -1.

Results:

The optimal compost rate was 66 m3 ha -1, which improved turf quality and increased clipping yield, compared to the control.

• Compost treatments maintained quality longer into the fall, while increasing green up in the spring.
• The two highest compost rates increased volumetric soil water content during dry down periods, which helped lower canopy temperatures as well.
• Runoff collected in rainfall event met the EPA standards for dissolved nitrates and phosphates.
• Nitrate leaching was not significant in any of the treatments.

Graduate student: Grant Johnson

Project Cooperators: Dr. Yaling Quin, Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Dr. Tony Koski, Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.

Funding provided by Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station.

Full Text Article: Coming Soon

Colorado State University | CSU Extension | Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences
Disclaimer | Equal Opportunity

Last updated November 5, 2007 by Webmaster