Using of Clean Water Treatment Sludge as Top Dressing on Turfgrass Established with Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze

Abstract

The use of sludge released following clean water treatment is studied on turfgrass that were established with Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze. The experiment was established on approximately 48 m² area at south side under sun and semi-shade conditions. The trial was realized at randomized complete block, split plots with four replications. Sludge and sand were applied as cover material to plots four times in a year with a thickness of 2 cm. No treatments were employed at control plots. Color, size, coverdness, number of shoots per unit area, shoot diameter, stolon diameter, number of stolon, weight of moving residual, weed rate, and plant and soil Ni and Zn accumulation rates were determined. As a result, the use of sludge did not have a significant adverse effect on plant properties. However, there have been notable Zn accumulations in soil and plant. The Zn accumulated in soil (3145.3 mg/kg) was higher than allowed limit values (150 - 200 mg/kg). Thus, legal regulations are needed on clean water treatment sludge for not exceeding allowable limit values.