Compost Type Affects Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) Invasion

Abstract

A study was conducted on the Texas A&M-Commerce campus in Commerce, TX to evaluate the rate of bermudagrass reestablishment following incorporation of 4 different compost blends.  Five beds were created by mechanically removing bermudagrass from an area approximately 60 cm (24”) wide and 300 cm (120”) long.  All beds were tilled to a depth of 15 cm (6”).  Compost was added at the following rates: 1) poultry litter compost (PLC) @ 10 tons / ac, 2) yard waste compost (YWC) @ 20 tons / ac, 3) dairy compost (DC) @ 10 tons / ac, or 4) a mix of dairy and poultry litter compost @ 10 tons / ac.  The remaining bed had no compost added and was used as a control.  EC and pH did not differ between compost types, but N was slightly higher in PLC.  Compost type had a strong effect on bermudagrass invasion.  By day 30, PLC and YWC had significantly more coverage than other treatments.  The PLC plots covered significantly faster, achieving 100% coverage by day 60.  All compost plots reached at least 90% coverage by day 90.  Coverage was significantly slower in the control plot, with full coverage not achieved until day 120.