The Effect of Soil Conditioners and Weather on Lawn Appearance

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of lawn grasses cultivated in monoculture and fertilizated by soil conditioners to establish lawn grasses used extensively in terms of their impact on the overall aspect. The following grass species were used in the experiment: Lolium perenne, Festuca rubra and Poa pratensis. They were sown on their own, each of them at the rate of 28 g m-2. Another experimental factor tested in the research was soil conditioners – Substral, Humus Activ Papka, Eko-Użyźniacz, UG-max. At the end of each growing season between 2013 and 2015 an assessment of grass was carried out. Among other things its general appearance was assessed using a 9-point rating scale. This assessment was conducted in three seasons: spring, summer, and autumn. Obtained results showed, that lawn appearance ratings varied throughout the research, both in terms of the season, the species of grass, and soil conditioners. This proves that soil conditioner effects depend on temperature and moisture conditions, and that there is an interaction affecting grass appearance between soil conditioners and the weather conditions. Lawn grass species responded strongly to different weather conditions by changing their appearance in different seasons and years.

Keywords

• biopreparats
• grasses
• lawn appearance
• lawn
• Substral