• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2010

Research on nitrate-nitrogen ($NO_3-N$) leaching in turfgrass indicates that in most cases leaching poses minimal risk to the environment. Although there have been many studies investigating $NO_3-N$ leaching, there has been little research to investigate the effect of compaction level and rootzone mix on nitrogen (N) leaching. The research objective is to determine the effect of compaction level and rootzone mix on nitrogen leaching. The four rootzone mixes are 76.0:24.0, 80.8:19.2, 87.0:13.0 and 93.7:6.3 % (sand:soil). The four levels of compaction energies are 1.6, 3.0, 6.1, and 9.1 J $cm^{-2}$. Nitrogen was applied using urea at a rate of 147 kg $ha^{-1}$ split among three applications. Rootzone was packed into a polyvinylchloride pipe with a perforated bottom to facilitate drainage. Rootzone depth was 30 cm over a 5 cm gravel layer. Each column was sodded with Poa pratensis L. Hoagland solution designed for coolseason grasses, minus N, was used to ensure adequate nutrition in the rootzone. Turf grass quality and clipping yield were recorded from each tube at two-week intervals. The clippings were oven-dried at a temperature of $67^{\circ}C$ for 24 h and weighed. At the end of the study, root dry weight was determined by washing and oven-drying samples at $67^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. Leachate solution was collected weekly for analysis. More than 6.1 J $cm^{-2}$ of compaction energy increased possibilities of surface runoff. The compaction energy between 3.0 and 6.1 J $cm^{-2}$ produced more clipping dry weight and less N leaching than 9.1 J $cm^{-2}$.