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Degree

Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Environmental Science, 2007.

Abstract

Rapid urbanization is increasing turfgrass covered soils throughout the United States. Research on carbon (C) dynamics in turfgrass systems can enable their exploitation as sinks of atmospheric C. In the first study long term (15years) effect of management programs that differed in the application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer, and pesticides on soil organic C (SOC) and turf quality in Kentucky bluegrass lawns was evaluated. The SOC pools in turfgrass systems can be influenced by the amount of N applied and weeds with their N fixing ability and broad leaf cover can reduce turfgrass aesthetic quality but play an important role in the biomass returned to the soil and therefore contribute to C sequestration. In the second study C cost occurring from the use of fossil fuels required for the production, transport, storage, and application of fertilizers, pesticides, and mowing was calculated and compared to the gain of SOC using a sustainability index. Greater sustainability of turfgrass systems for C can be achieved by reducing or replacing the use of mineral with organic fertilizers, replacing chemical with biological pesticides, mowing less often, and returning clippings. In the third study soil carbon dynamics and litter decomposition as affected by grass species perennial ryegrass (PR) and tall fescue (TF) with low and high endophyte infection were evaluated. The SOC along with its labile fractions microbial biomass C (MBC) and dissolved organic C (DOC), soil surface CO2 flux, and litter bag decomposition in the field were analyzed and found to be not different between treatments. The last study determined the spatial variability in SOC pools in urban landscapes. The SOC was more variable across a residential neighborhood block in the City of Wooster than across the lawns in the study region of Wayne and Holmes County, OH. Considering the average SOC pool of 25 Mg ha-1in the 0-12 cm depth and the total turf area for Ohio lawns at 6733 km2, we calculated the total Ohio SOC pool be at 16.8 tera gram (Tg) which is 0.03 percent of the estimated 59.4 petagram (Pg) SOC pool in the conterminous 48 states.

Keywords

turfgrass; soil organic carbon; carbon sequestration; carbon emissions; urban lawns

Advisor

Parwinder S Grewal

Document number: osu1187117113
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1187117113

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