Comparison of organic matter treatment on a previously graveled site
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Authors
Mayfield, Lee
Issue Date
2021-05-07
Type
Presentation
Language
en_US
Keywords
Scholarship Sewanee 2021 , Lake Cheston , Organic matter treatment
Alternative Title
Abstract
The Lake Cheston study site is a previously graveled parking lot that was converted into green space. In summer 2017, gravel was dug from the site, and replaced with mostly subsoil from a strip mining operation, along with a thin layer of topsoil. The objective of this study is to compare the ability of two different mulching techniques to enhance fertility and improve tree growth potential in the site. Soil tests were conducted across the sites to find baseline values of total carbon and nitrogen, along with pH, and percent P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, and Mn. Results indicated that the site has very bad compaction, water holding capacity, and a high concentration of calcium due to surrounding limestone gravel. Delays due to Covid resulted in allowing the clover that was on the site to remain as a cover crop. In March 2021, the site was ripped to reduce subsoil compaction, divided in half, and two different surface treatments of organic matter were applied, one to each half. The two treatments were grass clippings from campus and horse bedding, which includes manure and cypress chips, and they were applied up to 2 inches thick. The treatments were chosen because they are relatively inexpensive and often available in urban areas. On April 16, 2021, six 10 gallon container Diospyros virginiana (persimmon) and six 2 gallon Prunus americana (wild plums), were planted across the site, half of each species in each treatment. Data collected on each tree included height, diameter at breast height, basal diameter, and # of primary branches. The trees were dispersed to have the larger persimmons close to the center and the plums on the outer edge. Each tree had a fence installed to protect it from deer brows and rubbing. Fences consisted of three 6 foot T-posts wrapped with bird netting. All of the trees will be watered weekly, and trees will be remeasured at the end of the 2021 growing season and again at the end of the 2022 growing season to allow comparison of the treatments.
Description
Citation
Publisher
University of the South