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Turfgrass Growth, N Use, and Water Use under Soil Compaction and N Fertilization 1
Author(s) -
Sills M. J.,
Carrow R. N.
Publication year - 1983
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/agronj1983.00021962007500030017x
Subject(s) - loam , agronomy , water use efficiency , soil compaction , bulk density , compaction , environmental science , soil water , fertilizer , irrigation , zoology , chemistry , biology , soil science , materials science , composite material
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/100m 2 . Nitrogen carrier treatments were water soluble N applied as NH 4 NO 3 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.