RESPONSE OF A COOL-SEASON TURF MIXTURE TO COMPOSTED CHICKEN MANURE IN A MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The current study addresses the effects of topdressing composted chicken manure on established turf and comparing the composted chicken manure to a chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer. Turf color, quality and clipping yields were correlated with N sources and application timing. Monthly fertilization resulted in a more uniform color and turf quality and less clipping yields than did comparable amounts of all N sources applied each as a single application in spring and spring and fall (S + F). The monthly and/or S + F topdressing of chicken manure composts increased the color and quality ratings of the turf mixture during the growing season but did not greatly affect the clipping production.

Keywords:

• nitrogen fertilization
• chicken manure
• composts
• turf
• color
• quality
• clipping yield

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors gratefully acknowledge funding provided by The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (Tubitak-105O584 Project Leader: Prof. Dr. Esvet Acikgoz). The authors wish to thank American Journal Experts for editing and English proofreading of the manuscript, and Dr. K. Guillard, University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA for critical reading of the manuscript and his valuable comments.