Influence of the Composted Liquid Manure on the Turf Growth of Zoysiagrass (Zoysiagrass japonica) and Soil Properties

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of composted liquid manure (CLM) on soil properties and turf quality of zoysiagrass. The CLMs were produced at 5 facilities for livestock excretions treatments located in Cheongwon, Gunwi, Iksan, Nonsan, and Yeoju in Korea, respectively. Field experiments were conducted at 5 golf courses and a sod farm located near each facility for livestock excretion treatments. Chemical fertilizer (CF) with N at 12 g m -2 year -1 and CLMs were applied four times, respectively. The constituents of the different CLMs were variable based on when and where the fertilizer was produced. Soil K content significantly increased when the soil was treated with CLMs. The soil treated with CF showed a higher content of total P than that treated with CLM. CF and CLMs treatments significantly increased the turf color index compared with control. Tiller density and shoot dry weight of fertilized plots were also higher than those of non-fertilized plots. However, there was no significant difference in turf color index and tiller density among plots treated by CLMs or CF. The results of this study demonstrated that CLMs could be a substitute for CF.