Effects of Sod Type, Irrigation, and Fertilization on Nitrate-Nitrogen and Orthophosphate-Phosphorus Leaching from Newly Established St. Augustinegrass Sod

Erickson, John E.; Park, Dara M.; Cisar, J. L.; Snyder, George H.; Wright, Alan L.

Effects of Sod Type, Irrigation, and Fertilization on Nitrate-Nitrogen and Orthophosphate-Phosphorus Leaching from Newly Established St. Augustinegrass Sod

2010

Erickson, John E. | Park, Dara M. | Cisar, J. L. (John L.) | Snyder, George H. | Wright, Alan L.

Nitrogen and P leaching losses from fertilized turfgrass remain an environmental concern. In the present study, we examined the effects of sod type, fertilization, and irrigation on turf quality, NO₃–N and PO₄–P leaching following St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] sod installation. Treatments included muck- vs. sand-produced sod, no fertilization, fertilization with 4.9 g N m⁻² at installation or at 30 d after installation (DAI), and routine irrigation or irrigation at stress from 30 to 60 DAI. Drainage was collected from lysimeters installed in each plot and analyzed for NO₃–N and PO₄–P to determine total leaching losses. Across all treatments, drainage averaged 290, 902, and 604 mm during each of the three trials. Fertilization at 30 DAI significantly reduced PO₄–P leaching losses compared to fertilization at 0 DAI. Muck sod type significantly reduced the quantity of NO₃–N leached. Muck sod also significantly reduced PO₄–P leached and resulted in better turf quality in two of the three trials. In the context of minimizing nutrient leaching, these results support the use of muck-grown sod established during low rainfall periods with fertilization delayed at least 30 DAI and with judicious use of irrigation.

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