Kentucky Bluegrass Thatch Characteristics Following Application of Bio-organic Materials

Abstract

Three bio-organic materials were evaluated at four application rates, based on N contents, for their potential to degrade Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) thatch in a field experiment. Treated thatch was reduced in thickness and had increased earthworm (Lumbricus spp. Hoff.) populations when compared to untreated thatch. Thatch thickness was negatively correlated with level of N (r = –0.91), thatch lignin content (r = –0.94), and earthworm population in the thatch (r = –0.64), and positively correlated with thatch cellulose content (r = 0.62).