Comparing the Carbon and Nitrogen Held in a Turfgrass System with Its Net Greenhouse Gas Flux.

Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) are two nutrients of environmental concern; this is especially true when considering their potential impact on climate change as a part of greenhouse gasses (GHGs).  The objective of this experiment was to quantify the amount of C and N held in the soil and plant matter of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) swards and contrast it with the GHGs released from those swards, including the emissions resulting from management practices.  Data was collected for the labile and total soil C, total soil N, annual grass clipping yield, annual mowing requirement, grass clipping tissue C and N, root and verdure C and N, carbon dioxide flux, and nitrous oxide flux for both Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue.  Assumptions for other sources of GHG emissions were made based on published research.  Results will be discussed.