Effect of compost-, sand-, or gypsum-amended waste foundry sands on turfgrass yield and nutrient content

de Koff, J.P. and Lee, B.D. and Dungan, R.S. and Santini, J.B. (2010) Effect of compost-, sand-, or gypsum-amended waste foundry sands on turfgrass yield and nutrient content. Journal of Environmental Quality. 39:375-383.

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Abstract

To prevent the 7 to 11 million metric tons of waste foundry
sand (WFS) produced annually in the USA from entering
landfi lls, current research is focused on the reuse of WFSs as
soil amendments. Th e eff ects of diff erent WFS-containing
amendments on turfgrass growth and nutrient content were
tested by planting perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and
tall fescue (Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub) in diff erent
blends containing WFS. Blends of WFS were created with
compost or acid-washed sand (AWS) at varying percent by
volume with WFS or by amendment with gypsum (9.6 g
gypsum kg–1 WFS). Measurements of soil strength, shoot and
root dry weight, plant surface coverage, and micronutrients (Al,
Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B, Na) and macronutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca,
Mg) were performed for each blend and compared with pure
WFS and with a commercial potting media control. Results
showed that strength was not a factor for any of the parameters
studied, but the K/Na base saturation ratio of WFS:compost
mixes was highly correlated with total shoot dry weight for
perennial ryegrass (r = 0.995) and tall fescue (r = 0.94). Th is was
further substantiated because total shoot dry weight was also
correlated with shoot K/Na concentration of perennial ryegrass
(r = 0.99) and tall fescue (r = 0.95). A compost blend containing
40% WFS was determined to be the optimal amendment for
the reuse of WFS because it incorporated the greatest possible
amount of WFS without major reduction in turfgrass growth.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	1331
Subjects:	Soil
Depositing User:	Users 6 not found.
Date Deposited:	08 Jan 2010 03:49
Last Modified:	14 Oct 2016 14:47
Item ID:	1354
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/1354