The Response of Growth, Quality and N Leaching from St. Augustinegrass Maintained on Soil Containing Different Organic Matter Contents.
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Authors:
D. Park* - University of Florida J. Cisar - University of Florida G. Snyder - University of Florida K. Williams - University of Florida
Abstract:
Approximately half of all St. Augustinegrass in Florida is grown on sod farms with sand soils with the other half grown on Histosol soils. The objectives of this study is to compare N leaching and turf quality and growth from St. Augustinegrass that was grown in on two soil types with different amount of soil organic matter (SOM).
Nitrogen leaching, visual quality, clippings and dry root weights were collected from 96, 3 x 4 m St. Augustinegrass ‘Floratam’ experimental plots maintained on soil containing either 4% or 10% organic matter (OM) in addition to the 2% OM from the native Margate fine sand soil. For both soils, nitrogen concentrations increased shortly after sod installation however declined to near zero within a three-month period. Increasing SOM improved turf quality and clipping growth.
Based on this research, N fertilization best management practices (BMPs) could be optimized to provide quality turf with reduced potential N leaching by accounting for N contributions from SOM during the first year after planting. Since sod farm SOM can vary within a single location as well as among farms, characterizing soil types should be the first step in determining the appropriate lawn establishment BMPs.
Speaker Information: Dara Park, University of Florida, 3205 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314; Phone: 954.577.6334; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Monday, November 1, 2004, 7:25 AM-11:50 AM Presentation Start: 8:30 AM
