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Evaluating Soil Tests to Predict Bermudagrass Growth in Drinking Water Treatment Residuals with Phosphorus Fertilizer
Author(s) -
Basta N. T.,
Zupancic R. J.,
Dayton E. A.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2000.00472425002900060038x
Subject(s) - cynodon dactylon , fertilizer , chemistry , soil water , phosphorus , agronomy , nutrient , zoology , environmental science , biology , soil science , organic chemistry
Drinking water treatment residuals (WTRs) may serve as a soil substitute to revegetate disturbed land. This study evaluated the use of WTRs as a soil substitute and the ability of soil tests to predict P adequacy. We measured properties and nutrient content of three WTRs (Wister, Mohawk, and ABJ) and a control soil. Bermudagrass [ Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. Greenfield] was grown with four P treatments (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg P kg −1 ). We measured available P by water, Mehlich 3 (M3P), and Olsen P soil extraction. Mean cumulative bermudagrass yields, across P treatments, were soil (20.6 g), Mohawk (23.6 g) > Wister (9.6 g) > ABJ (1.1 g). Tissue P concentrations were below adequate for WTR and available P in WTR was deficient for Wister and ABJ. Fertilizer P addition did not increase yield or tissue P of bermudagrass grown on WTR. However, bermudagrass grown on soil had increased yield and tissue P with fertilizer addition. The available P measured by soil tests was adequate for Mohawk and inadequate for ABJ, Wister, and soil. Although the M3P and OIsen P soil tests predicted P responses on some WTRs, with fertilizer addition, there was not a yield or tissue response. Water soluble P or Olsen P provide information on the ability of the WTR to support growth but not the ability to predict P adequacy. The M3P soil test overestimated plant availability of P in WTR due to the dissolution of P adsorbed by amorphous Al. Water extracts were the best predictor of P adequacy in WTR and should be used to determine P fertilizer additions to WTR.