An Investigation of the Impact of Compost Tea Applications on Turf Quality and Soil Microbial Activity

This study investigated the effect of compost tea applications on turf quality and soil microbial activity. Evaluations of turfgrass quality were based on The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program's guidelines while soil samples were analyzed for chemical attributes and microbial activity. Four sites and treatments for the study included: 1) a soil drench compost tea application with irrigation, 2) a soil drench compost tea application with no irrigation, 3) no compost tea application with irrigation, and 4) no compost tea application nor irrigation. Fifteen soil samples and turf quality observations from each treatment were collected for pretest data. Then, post-test data were collected after each additional seasonal test period over the course of one year for each of the four plots. For the four plots, the site which received compost tea applications and regular irrigation received significantly higher turf quality ratings, and compost tea improved turf quality ratings beyond that of regular irrigation. No differences were found in microbial populations given the compost tea application. While the study results provided evidence of the value of compost tea to overall turf quality aesthetics, more research is recommended regarding compost tea applications and beneficial soil microbial populations in turf. Species used in this study: Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) L. Pers.