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Cré - Composting & Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland
- and WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) co-sponsored
preliminary trials to investigate the use of high quality
composted materials in the maintenance of golf fairways.
The trials were undertaken at the K Club Golf Course, County
Kildare.
Although the compost trials performed at the K-Club for the
project were short in duration (3 months), several pointers
can be taken from them -
- Compost application did not increase the incidence of
weed infestation.
- There was no effect on soil pH from the compost applied.
- Compost addition increased the organic matter content
of the soil.
- Compost application provided a significant quick release
of nitrogen to turf, providing a quick ‘green-up’
effect (within 14 days) without excessive growth. Hence,
in a golf fairway application, compost could be used to
provide a simple means of greening up turf quickly and evenly.
However, by the end of the trial it was obvious by observation
of the turf colour that additional nitrogen fertiliser was
required.
- The application of both types (garden and garden/food
material compost) of composted materials provided nutrients
to the trial plots, compared to plots with no compost added;
- There was some evidence of reduced incidence of disease
on the plots treated with compost materials late in trial
(between days 56 to 70), compared to plots without.
- There was no significant increase in worm castings from
compost application.
Ian Garner, Manager of WRAP
Northern Ireland, said - “Using quality compost to
improve and maintain golf courses is a sustainable option
and one that is getting more attention from course owners.
This project, led by Cré, has produced good evidence
supporting compost use in this sector.”
Percy Foster, CEO of Cré
said - “We were delighted with the success of this short trial.
It demonstrated that there is a potential new market for compost
use on golf course fairways. It was a pleasure to work with
WRAP on this project and it clearly showed that a combined
effort to develop all island markets for compost is the way
forward.”
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