Studies to Assess the Fate of Nitrogen Applied to Turf: Part I

摘要

Ornamental turfgrass occupies between 15 and 20 percent of the one million acreas of land in Nassau and Suffolk Counties NY. Earlier, broad studies of the influence of turf maintenance on groundwater quality pointed out the potential for substantial impact from nitrogenous fertilizers and shortages of data regarding the fates of applied fertilizer. This study was designed to examine accumulation in soil organic matter as one potential fate of applied nitrogen. Based on an age cross-sectional survey of soil organic nitrogen levels, two conclusions were reached. (1) Under Long Island conditions, there is a relatively low capacity for soil organic nitrogen storage. (2) The bulk of this capacity is exhausted after 5 to 10 years.