Revegetating Disturbed Urban Soils with Compost.

Disturbed urban soils devoid of topsoil, characterized by low organic matter, poor nutrient availability and high clay content, hinder turfgrass establishment due to compaction and low plant available water. Compost can improve the chemical and physical properties of such soils to mitigate vegetation establishment; however, little research has demonstrated how various compost application strategies can optimize these efforts. This study was conducted in Lynchburg, Virginia, to determine the effects of various applications of paper-mill sludge compost on turfgrass establishment and quality. The six treatments included: 1) a fertilized control: soil fertilized according to Virginia Tech Soil Test Laboratory recommendations, 2) a fertilized control + straw blanket, 3) a fertilized control + 0.6 cm compost blanket, 4) a surface application of 2.5 cm depth compost, unincorporated 5) a surface application of 2.5 cm compost incorporated 10 cm into the soil, and 6) a surface application of 5 cm compost incorporated 10 cm into the soil. To compare treatments, turfgrass quality (color, density), biomass and nutrient content were measured. Soil physical properties including bulk density and chemical properties (pH, organic matter, CEC and soil test P, K, Ca and Mg) will be presented for comparison of the treatments in an ongoing experiment.