Effect of Composted Biosolids on Soil Organic Carbon Storage During Establishment of Transplanted Sod Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Large, volume-based applications of composted municipal biosolids (CMB) can enhance turfgrass growth and quality and soil physical and chemical properties. In addition, CMB additions could affect short-term dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) and enhance C sequestration and environmental quality compared with turfgrass fertilized with inorganic nutrients in mineral soil. The objective was to compare changes in SOC among contrasting sources of Tifway bermudagrass sod (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers. C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davey) after transplanting. Three sod sources from fields grown with two commercial sources of CMB or inorganic phosphorus fertilizer were transplanted on silica sand in replicated box lysimeters. Storage of SOC within 0 to 5-cm and 5 to 50-cm depths was greater in CMB than fertilizer-grown sod during 10 months of establishment and maintenance. Leaching losses of dissolved organic C (DOC) were two times greater for CMB than for fertilizer-grown sod over seven simulated rain events, but the ratio of DOC in leachate to total SOC mass was 0.3% or less for CMB-grown sod. An increase in 13C values of SOC over sampling dates indicated the proportion of SOC derived from turfgrass increased, whereas that from CMB decreased. The benefit of greater rates of SOC storage during establishment and maintenance of CMB compared with fertilizer-grown sod was achieved without substantive loss of DOC in leachate.

published proceedings

  • HORTSCIENCE

author list (cited authors)

  • Dai, X., Vietor, D. M., Hons, F. M., Provin, T. L., White, R. H., Boutton, T. W., & Munster, C. L.

citation count

  • 5

complete list of authors

  • Dai, Xiaoyan||Vietor, Donald M||Hons, Frank M||Provin, Tony L||White, Richard H||Boutton, Thomas W||Munster, Clyde L

publication date

  • April 2009