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The objectives of the present study were to determine the effects of the rate and timing of the application of sun-dried wastewater sludge from a food processing company's wastewater system on turfgrass growth and quality. The results were compared with those obtained with ammonium nitrate, and changes in the concentration of heavy metals and the presence of fecal coliform in turf soils after sun-dried wastewater sludge application were determined. The rate and the timing of sun-dried wastewater sludge and ammonium nitrate applications affected the turf color, quality, and clipping yield. Monthly fertilization resulted in a more uniform color and turf quality than infrequent spring and fall fertilization. Compared with the background values of base soils, heavy metals did not accumulate in sun-dried wastewater sludge-amended soils over the test period. Fecal coliform was not detected in sludge-amended soil samples, indicating that bacteria regrowth did not occur during the study period.
Buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] use as a fairway turfgrass is limited in northern portions of its adaptation zone by its extended winter dormancy and tan coloration in early spring and late fall. Cool-season grasses mixed with buffalograss could enhance turfgrass appearance and performance in fall and early spring. Research was conducted near Mead, NE, with eight buffalograss genotypes maintained under fairway conditions to determine the effect of blue fescue (Festuca ovina L. var. glauca Lam.) overseeding rate on turfgrass performance. Interactions were nonsignificant in most cases so main effects are emphasized. Differences were observed between seeding rates and genotypes for most traits studied. Overseeding blue fescue enhanced spring green-up, fall color retention, stand density, and turfgrass quality. These effects were most pronounced in late fall and early spring, when buffalograss plants were entering or exiting winter dormancy. The 5 g·m−2 blue fescue overseeding rate improved all performance traits studied when compared with the nonoverseeded buffalograss control and was not different from the 10 g·m−2 seeding rate treatment. Thus, the 5 g·m−2 blue fescue overseeding rate appeared to be near optimum for overall turfgrass performance, offering reduced seed cost and decreased potential for species interference. The ‘Legacy’ buffalograss and ‘SR-3200’ blue fescue mixture had the best performance of the genotypes studied as a result of their visual compatibility in terms of color similarity.