Fertilizer Rate and Type Affect Sedum-vegetated Green Roof Mat Plant Performance and Leachate Nutrient Content

Abstract

This study compared the effect of fertilizer rates and types on plant performance and leached nutrients for an installed sedum-vegetated green roof mat system. Sedum-vegetated mats in non-fertilized plots (control) were compared with plots fertilized with 16N–2.6P–10K plus Minors 5–6 month controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) at 5, 10, 15, or 20 g·m−2 nitrogen (N) or 5 g·m−2 N of a fly-larvae processed chicken manure (Sus). Plot overall appearance was among the highest for 10 g·m−2 N in Mar., May, June, and July 2012, whereas 15 and 20 g·m−2 N resulted in the highest winter injury ranking in Mar. 2012. Vegetative coverage was highest for 10 and 15 g·m−2 N in Oct. 2011 but did not differ among treatments in 2012. Sedum spp. composition within plots remained closest to the original when fertilized at 10 g·m−2 N. Of all species, S. acre flowered for the longest duration and flowered longer in 10 g·m−2 N than 15 g·m−2 N or Sus. Leaf greenness of S. acre for 5, 10, 15, and 20 g·m−2 N was higher than the control in May 2012. Leached amounts of NH4+, NO3–, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), and aluminum (Al) did not differ among treatments, and cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) were not detected. All nutrients but NO3– in all plots and zinc (Zn) in the 5 g·m−2 N (CRF and Sus) and control plots were leached at levels above target nutrient loss thresholds. Among fertilizer types, Sus leached more phosphorus (P) without greater plant performance compared with 5 g·m−2 N CRF. A fertilizer rate of 10 g·m−2 N is recommended to benefit plant performance of this green roof system. However, in the first year after installation, to prevent negative environmental impacts resulting from initial substrate fertility, no fertilizer (CRF or Sus) is needed for this green roof system.