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Effect of Sawdust on the Germination and Seedling Growth of Several Turfgrasses 1
Author(s) -
Waddington D. V.,
Lincoln W. C.,
Troll J.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1967.00021962005900020003x
Subject(s) - sawdust , germination , seedling , agronomy , human fertilization , biology , horticulture , ecology
Studies conducted to determine the effect of sawdust on several turfgrass species indicated that germination and seedling growth may be suppressed by the use of some fresh sawdust materials. Grass was grown in soilsawdust mixtures and germination tests were made using cold water extracts from sawdust. The most severe toxic effects were noted with sawdust from ash and red oak. Abnormal seedlings with stunted roots occurred when seed was germinated in extracts from these materials. Nitrogen fertilization of soil‐sawdust mixtures did not overcome these toxic effects. ‘Merion’ Kentucky bluegrass seems to be more susceptible to the injurious effects than ‘Pennlawn’ creeping red fescue and ‘Highland’ and ‘Seaside’ bentgrasses. The adverse effects were not apparent in sawdust which had weathered for 2 and 7 months.