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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Functional Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #330658
Research Project: Evaluation of the Chemical and Physical Properties of Low-Value Agricultural Crops and Products to Enhance Their Use and Value

Location: Functional Foods Research

Title: Biochar-compost mixtures added to simulated golf greens increase creeping bentgrass growth

Author
item Vaughn, Steven
item DINELLI, F - North Shore Country Club
item Vaughan, Martha
item Peterson, Steven - Steve

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/25/2016
Publication Date: 8/25/2016
Citation: Vaughn, S.F., Dinelli, F.D., Vaughan, M.M., Peterson, S.C. 2016. Biochar-compost mixtures added to simulated golf greens increase creeping bentgrass growth [abstract].

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Mixtures of 85% sand and 15% mixtures of peat (control), a commercial biochar, a commercial biochar-compost product (CarbonizPN), and seven biochar-commercial compost mixtures were tested on the growth of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L. "007") in simulated golf greens. Physical properties including pH, bulk density, pore space, compaction distance, and water/nutrient content varied among the mixtures. Bentgrass plant heights, root lengths, and fresh and dry weights were evaluated in mixtures grown in polyvinyl chloride tubes mimicking a United States Golf Association root zone. Forty days after seeding, plants grown in 5% biochar and 10% Chicago Sanitary District solids had significantly greater fresh weights, dry weights, and shoot heights than the control. Dry weights and shoot heights were also higher than the control in bentgrass grown in the 15% CarbonizPN mixture. Based on these results the addition of certain biochar-compost mixtures would improve overall plant growth in sand-based root zones.