Using organic amendments in disturbed soil to enhance soil organic matter, nutrient content and turfgrass establishment

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 945; p. 174033
• Main Authors: Morash, Jennifer, Pamuru, Sai Thejaswini, Lea-Cox, John D., Ristvey, Andrew G., Davis, Allen P., Aydilek, Ahmet H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.10.2024
• Subjects: Biosolids; carbon nitrogen ratio; Compost; Composting - methods; Disturbed soil; disturbed soils; environment; Fertilizers; Fine wood mulch; leachates; leaves; mulches; Nitrogen - analysis; nutrient content; Nutrient losses; Nutrients - analysis; Organic soil amendments; organic wastes; Phosphorus - analysis; plant establishment; pollution; root growth; Soil - chemistry; soil fertility; soil organic matter; topsoil; turf grasses; Turfgrass establishment; vegetation; wood; yard wastes; Compost; Organic soil amendments; Disturbed soil; Turfgrass establishment; Nutrient losses; Fine wood mulch; Biosolids
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174033

Disturbed soils, including manufactured topsoils, often lack physical and chemical properties conducive to vegetation establishment. As a result, efforts to stabilize disturbed soils with vegetation are susceptible to failure. Urban organic waste products such as wood mulch, composted leaf and yard waste, and biosolids are widely distributed as organic amendments that enhance sustainability and plant establishment. Correct use can be determined by examining soil properties such as pH; the concentration of soluble salts (SS); and plant available nutrients — particularly N, C and P; as well as root and shoot growth. This research examined the effects of three typical organic amendments on fertility, establishment, and nutrient loss. A manufactured topsoil was used as the base soil for all treatments, including a control unamended soil (CUT), and soil amended with either mulch (MAT), composted leaf and yard waste (LAT), or biosolids (BAT). A 2 % organic matter concentration increase was sought but not achieved due to difficulty in reproducing lab results at a larger scale. Results showed that LAT improved soil fertility, particularly N-P-K concentrations while maintaining a good C:N ratio, pH, and SS concentration. BAT was the most effective at enhancing shoot growth but results suggest that improved growth rates could result in increased maintenance. Additionally, biosolids were an excellent source of nutrients, especially N-P-K and S, but diminished root growth and N leachate losses indicate that N was applied in excess of turfgrass requirements. Therefore, biosolids could be used as fertilizer, subject to recommended rates for turfgrass establishment to prevent poor root growth and waterborne N pollution. To ensure establishment efforts are successful, MAT is not recommended without a supplemental source of soluble N. Altogether, study results and conclusions could inform others seeking to improve specifications for disturbed soil where turfgrass establishment is needed to stabilize soil. [Display omitted] •Organic amendment effects on soil properties and growth measurements of significance to landscape managers were analyzed.•Composted leaf & yard waste can enhance turfgrass establishment, but caution is advised when using mulch or biosolids.•Mulch raised soil organic matter but nutrient immobilization reduced turfgrass growth.•Biosolids increased soil nutrients, growth, and N leachate losses.•Recommendations for correct use of organic amendments are discussed.