Search

Manure applications can benefit turfgrass production and unused nutrients in manure residues can be exported through sod harvests. Yet, nutrients near the soil surface could be transported in surface runoff. Our research objective was to evaluate responses of bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. Guymon] turf and volumes and P and N concentrations of surface runoff after fertilizer or composted manure applications. Three replications of five treatments were established on a Boonville fine sandy loam (fine, smectitic, thermic Vertic Albaqualf) that was excavated to create an 8.5% slope. Manure rates of 50 and 100 kg P ha(-1) at the start of two monitoring periods were compared with P fertilizer rates of 25 and 50 kg ha(-1) and an unfertilized control. Compared with initial soil tests, nitrate concentrations decreased and P concentrations increased after two manure or fertilizer applications and eight rain events over the two monitoring periods. The fertilizer sources of P and N produced 19% more dry weight and 21% larger N concentrations in grass clippings than manure sources. Yet, runoff volumes were similar between manure and fertilizer sources of P. Dissolved P concentration (30 mg L(-1)) in runoff during a rain event 3 d after application of 50 kg P ha(-1) was five times greater for fertilizer than for manure P. Observations during both monitoring periods indicated that total P and N losses in runoff were no greater for composted manure than for fertilizer sources of P at relatively large P rates on a steep slope of turfgrass.

Phytoremediation is a remediation technique that involves plant uptake, transformation, accumulation, and/or volatilization of soil- and aqueous-phase contaminants or by the stimulation of microbial cometabolic activity in the rhizosphere of the plant. Even when the principal mechanism is by stimulation of bacteria, any resultant plant contamination cannot be overlooked. For the purpose of modeling, a two-compartment plant model has been developed. The model divides the plant into the shoot compartment (which can be harvested) and the root compartment (into which contaminants can accumulate). Numerical experiments were conducted to investigate model behavior and to determine important parameters affecting plant contamination. Johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] was used to evaluate the model behavior. The contaminants TNT (2,4,6,-trinitrotoluene) and chrysene were selected on the basis of their contrasting aqueous-phase solubilities. The results indicate that plant contamination and soil remediation by plants depend on soil properties such as soil organic carbon content, the physicochemical properties of the contaminants such as the octanol-water partition coefficient, and plant properties. The most important factor affecting plant contamination is bioavailability. As bioavailability increased, the concentrations in root and shoot compartments were predicted to increase. Microbial activities and plant contamination are closely related, which suggests that plants and microorganisms can have complementary roles in phytoremediation.