Growth of Kentucky Bluegrass in the Root Zone Blending with Soldier Fly Casts

Young-Sun  Kim1,2   Kyo-Suk Lee3   Geung-Joo Lee4,*   

1Department of Horticultural Science, Daegu University, Gyeongsan 38453, Korea
2Institute of Natural Sciences, Daegu University, Gyeongsan 38453, Korea
3Department of Bioenvironmental Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
4Department of Horticulture and Department of Smart Agriculture Systems, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of root zone blending with soil amendments containing soldier fly cast (SFC) on the soil properties and the growth of Kentucky bluegrass. Treatment were as follows. No amendment (NA), control (cocopeat 100%), SFC25 (cocopeat 75%+SFC 25%), SFC50 (cocopeat 50%+SFC 50%), SFC75 (cocopeat 25%+SFC 75%) and SFC100 (SFC100%). In the root zone soil, the content of organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (T-N) of SFC50, SFC75 and SFC100 treatment was increased than those of NA or control. As compared to NA or control, turf color index, chlorophyll index, clipping yield and uptake amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the SFC75 and SFC100 treatment were increased. While the dry weight of shoot and root in the SFC75 and SFC100 treatment was increased than that of NA, their ratios of top and root (T/R ratios) not significantly different. The change of soil properties, turfgrass growth and quality, and nutrient uptake of SFC25 treatment was similar to control. Correlation coefficient between SFC rate in the soil amendment and soil properties or turfgrass growth was significantly positive (p<0.05). These results indicated that application of SFC as soil amendment improved the turfgrass growth and quality by prompting to take up N, P and K from the root zone, and was increased the content of organic matter and total nitrogen.

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