IMPACT OF SOIL CONDITIONERS AND WEATHER ON LAWN COMPACTNESS.

The aim of this paper is to determine the effect of soil conditioners and one mineral fertilizer on turf, as well as their interaction with meteorological conditions in maintaining of lawn compactness. The field experiment was conducted in the experimental facility between 2013 and 2015. The following grass species were used in the experiment: Lolium perenne, Festuca rubra, and Poa pratensis. Another experimental factor tested in the research was soil conditioners. Between 2013 and 2015 an assessment of grass compactness based on the methods described by Domański (1998) was carried out. This assessment was conducted in three seasons: spring, summer, and autumn. Grass species tested in the experiment formed turf of different compactness, varying throughout seasons of the year and responding strongly to weather conditions. In drier periods red fescue had better turf, contrary to smooth meadow grass and perennial ryegrass, both of which had better turf in more humid conditions. Out of all the types of fertilizer Humus Active Papka affected turf compactness in the most favourable way although the response of individual grass species was not the same. From a practical point of view out of the grass species tested in the experiment Poa pratensis treated with Eko-Użyźniacz responded the most favourably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]