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Title:	Plant growth on a gravel soil : greenhouse studies
Authors:	Palazzo, A. J. (Antonio J.) Graham, John M.
Keywords:	Fertilizers Grasses Gravel soils Soil stabilization Soils Revegetation Vegetation growth Nutrient cycle
Publisher:	Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.:	Special report (Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.)) ; 81-4.
Description:	Special Report Abstract: Two greenhouse studies were performed with gravel soils to determine the requirements for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) for grass establishment and to assess the establishment performance of 15 types of grasses. The fertilizer study consisted of 30 treatments, each representing a different combination of application rates of N, P and K. A seed mixture containing "Nugget" Kentucky bluegrass, "Pennlawn" red fescue, and annual ryegrass was sown, and the plants were harvested 133 days after sowing. Plant leaf and root weights were measured, and soil samples were analyzed for pH, P, K and soluble salts. In the grass study, 15 grasses were grown for 76 days. All treatments were fertilized at the beginning of the study. Plant establishment was periodically assessed and yields were measured at the end of the study. In the fertilizer study, N and P were shown to be limiting to leaf growth on this soil. Applications of P were the most beneficial for root growth. Needs for K were less evident, but it was required for maximum leaf growth at the higher application rates of N and P. The greatest yields were recorded when all three elements were applied, while at the lower application rates only N and P were required to promote growth. Plant leaf growth was closely correlated with root growth. Soil pH decreased with increased rates of fertilizer. In the grass study, three tall fescue varieties and two ryegrasses established themselves more rapidly than the other grasses. Reubens Kentucky bluegrass, FL 1 hard fescue, Pennlawn red fescue, the tall fescues, and the ryegrasses were the best yielders. The fertilizer became less of a factor in plant growth after the initial two months. Grasses which had good vigor and color after 76 days were Jamestown and Pennlawn red fescue, Reubens and common Kentucky bluegrass, K-31 and T-5 tall fescue, FL 1 hard fescue, Yorktown II perennial ryegrass, annual ryegrass, and sheep fescue.
Rights:	Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/11681/12132
Appears in Collections:	Special Report