| heal.abstract |
Research was conducted to evaluate the effects of olive mill compost (OMC) soil amendment on the establishment and growth of tall fescue {Festuca arundinacea Schreb. [currently Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub]} turf. Treatments included the use of four substrates with increasing proportions of OMC in a sandy loam soil. Supplementation treatments ranged from 0% [soil only], which served as the control, to 12.5% [low], 25% [medium], and 50% v/v [high]. Measurements included visual quality ratings, clipping yield, root growth, as well as vertical detachment force in conjunction with root growth and substrate moisture content during the establishment phase. Substrate bulk density, pH, and EC were also monitored. Olive mill compost supplementation decreased pH, and bulk density (32.6, 21.1, and 19.4% for high, medium, and low OMC, respectively) and increased water holding capacity (57.0, 32.7, and 13.3% at 100 cm suction for high, medium, and low OMC, respectively). High OMC exhibited beneficial effects on visual quality and shoot growth, especially during the establishment of the sward presumably due to its increased water holding capacity and nutrient availability. Root growth was not influenced by OMC supplementation; it was actually reduced compared to the non-amended control on a single sampling date. Detachment force gave nonconclusive results, both between the 2 yr of study and within the same year. It is our conclusion that OMC can be used as a soil amendment to improve soil water-holding capacity, and tall fescue quality and clipping yield, with no reduction in detachment force and minimal detriment to root development. |
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