compost study

[Turf Tech]

I have been lurking here for about a year and have many threads over what is the proper thickness of compost to apply for good results and how long does it last? So I teamed up with the parks manager who was a field researcher for Texas A&M. He gave me permission to do a test area on some soccer fields that are not in use yet. They are bermuda fields that are irrigated and recieve 1lb N via amonium sulfate. We layed out 3 field test rows that are 10ft wide 20ft long with 5 feet between each plot. We then spread compost at 4 thicknesses. Each row has a control plot that recieved no treatment other than the fertilizer. I applied compost with a Trufco walkbehind unit. We applied a dusting, 1/8", 1/4" 1/2" applications.

The application was performed on 9/21/09 the same day they applied 1lb of N with the above mentioned fertilizer as part of the normal program. The field has been irrigated twice since the application. Today 10-1-09 we looked at the plots and saw a vast improvement in the 1/4 and 1/2 applications. With the 1/8 showing good improvement. We used a scale of 0-10 to judge the improvements. The 1/2 all recieved 8's and the 1/4" recieved 5 and 6's, the 1/8 recieved 4's the dusting a 2. We used three different judges and the plots were done in a random order.

I also took aerial photos of the plots. It is very visible by air. They are the green stripes in the lower left corner of the field. We will continue to monitor the plots thru the rest of this year and thru summer of next year to see how long the applications keep the color. I suspect the 1/2 will last a year with no additional applications. This is the rate I have applied to a few yards and the color has lasted for 6 months with no noticable decrease in color.

The compost I am using is a sludge based compost made by the city. They have mountain loads of it and it is very cheap 10.00 per yard. The quality is very good.

[phasthound]

If I may, "Compost does a soil good". :)

[ICT Bill]

Nice work, local, sustainable, inexpensive, using waste, I like it a lot. Good for you

I am not trying to be difficult in any way, ask them for a recent heavy metals tests

Biosolids can be very toxic, but they have processes to remediate them.

You are around a bunch of kids so read the arsenic, cadmium, lead, etc levels before making it part of your program. You can then compare it to other bio-solid products on the market

they are probably fine, just check before the kids scrape their knees on it

as a bulk product for sale they have to have it available if you ask. it maybe a copy that has been copied 40 times but they still are required to have it available

[Smallaxe]

Research on your own is the only way to go.
What did the field researcher think of the results?
Most U. Extension offices still talk NPK only with compost being a 'nice' ammendment, in certain situations.

[Turf Tech]

Nice work, local, sustainable, inexpensive, using waste, I like it a lot. Good for you

I am not trying to be difficult in any way, ask them for a recent heavy metals tests

Biosolids can be very toxic, but they have processes to remediate them.

You are around a bunch of kids so read the arsenic, cadmium, lead, etc levels before making it part of your program. You can then compare it to other bio-solid products on the market

they are probably fine, just check before the kids scrape their knees on it

as a bulk product for sale they have to have it available if you ask. it maybe a copy that has been copied 40 times but they still are required to have it available

Bill good point on the heavy metals. I did look at a report a month or so ago. I dont remember the levels. I do remember seeing arsenic. I need to do some research on the on the levels that are harmful. They do have an application chart that show to not use more than 43 cy per acre. I wouldnt put that much on in the next 20 years.

The parks supervisor was really impressed. When I called him to ask if he looked at the fields he said no. His tone was a bit condensending. He said he would meet me there but he only have about 5 min to look. He spent an hour there and called 3 of his crew leaders over to judge the color change. His interest is really peaked! He is worried about salt build up from it. He took soil samples of the compost before we applied and he also took soil samples of the plots before the applications. We will take soil samples after 6 weeks on the plots and note any changes that occur. We will then run more soil samples next spring and determine any changes at that time.

We are early in on the study, but it looks to validate the results I have been experiencing are valid. My main objective is to determine what thickness gives the best color and longest lasting results. I dont want to apply more than is needed in an effort to save both labor and materials.

It is my goal to topdress 30 yards a week in conjunction with my normal programs. Public education is the key. I also have a local nursery owners involved with the study as well as the County Extension agent. If i get them to promote or back the results I will be golden. I am the only person in town that does top dressing.

[Smallaxe]

I would expect that the soil test might show a slight increase in OM, iron and small amount of Micro-nutrients - maybe.
Soil testing focuses on nutrient levels, more than anything.

Does this field researcher have an idea why it makes such a difference?

[Turf Tech]

I would expect that the soil test might show a slight increase in OM, iron and small amount of Micro-nutrients - maybe.
Soil testing focuses on nutrient levels, more than anything.

Does this field researcher have an idea why it makes such a difference?

He has stated an opinion yet. It has only been 11 days since we started this study. He is going to do a test plot next to these with a 2lb N to see if it is the additional N that is greening or if its the micro nutrients and microbial activity that is helping the grass to convert the nutrients into food.

[ICT Bill]

He has stated an opinion yet. It has only been 11 days since we started this study. He is going to do a test plot next to these with a 2lb N to see if it is the additional N that is greening or if its the micro nutrients and microbial activity that is helping the grass to convert the nutrients into food.

Great stuff, go get 'em

When he puts down his nitrogen remind him, according to a Rodale institute study, 60 to 65% of the nitrogen never reaches the plant, it either volitizes and mixes with ozone creating nitrous oxide (298 time stronger than CO2 as a greenhouse gas), leeches into the aquafer or runs off into the local gutter, which of course goes to a stream somewhere creating dead zones in lakes and bays

Plus he is supporting the import of foreign oil by using urea

Your N will stay put and be released longer

Hoefully the testing data will include soil organic matter (SOM) as well

[Smallaxe]

Cool... :)

[Turf Tech]

Great stuff, go get 'em

When he puts down his nitrogen remind him, according to a Rodale institute study, 60 to 65% of the nitrogen never reaches the plant, it either volitizes and mixes with ozone creating nitrous oxide (298 time stronger than CO2 as a greenhouse gas), leeches into the aquafer or runs off into the local gutter, which of course goes to a stream somewhere creating dead zones in lakes and bays

Plus he is supporting the import of foreign oil by using urea

Your N will stay put and be released longer

Hoefully the testing data will include soil organic matter (SOM) as well

Yes they will be testing the organic matter.

[ecoguy]

I know the compost I've been using has biosolids in it? ICT, are you saying that is NOT a good thing? What should I be checking for?

[ICT Bill]

I know the compost I've been using has biosolids in it? ICT, are you saying that is NOT a good thing? What should I be checking for?

No I am not saying that at all, what I am saying is that for years no one tested bio-solids for heavy metals, aresnic, cadmium, lead, etc
Now they do but they can still be high, check the testing data from the company. IT HAS TO BE AVAILABLE, to you. If it is not move to another company that has the data

You do not want to apply something high in heavy metals on a field that small children play on. They are much more suseptable to toxins than adults

Just know what you are applying, that is all I am trying to say