Evaluation of Growing Media and Field Performance of Two Grasses for Sod Production in Ghana

Abstract

Sustainable sod production is crucial for erosion control, enhancing aesthetics, and mitigating climate change. Growing media plays a key role in providing the suitable environment for the rooting and establishment of grasses. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of growing media on the performance of Bermuda and St. Augustine’s grasses for sod production in Ghana. A factorial experiment arranged in a RCBD with three replications was used for the study. Local materials including poultry manure, biochar and sawdust were used in different proportions in the formulation of five different growing media. The growing media were; Topsoil only (M1), Topsoil, poultry manure, rice husk biochar, clay (60:20:15:5 v/v) (M2); Topsoil, poultry manure, rice husk biochar, clay (50:30:15:5 v/v) (M3); Topsoil, poultry manure, sawdust, clay (60:20:15:5 v/v) (M4); Topsoil, poultry manure, sawdust, clay (50:30:15:5 v/v) (M5). The physical and chemical properties differed significantly among the growing media formulated. Generally, the physical properties of the growing medium with sawdust were higher than the corresponding treatment where the sawdust component was replaced with rice husk biochar. The bulk density, porosity of M4 (60 % topsoil+ 30 % poultry manure + 15 % Sawdust + 5 % clay soil) and M5 (50 % topsoil+ 20 % poultry manure + 15 % Sawdust + 5 % clay soil) were higher than that of M2 (60 % topsoil+ 20 %poultry manure + 15 % rice husk biochar + 5 % clay soil), and M3 (50 % topsoil+ 30 % poultry manure + 15 % rice husk biochar + 5 % clay soil). A marginal increase in CEC in M3, M4 and M5 but a decrease in M2 was observed compared with M1 (soil only). Increases in organic carbon, Ca, Mg, were observed in all the mixtures. Bermuda grass recorded the highest emergence (95.3%) whilst soil only recorded the lowest (91.3%). Saint Augustine’s grass recorded the highest emergence (41.3%) in M1, and lowest in M3 (12.6%). Bermuda grass recorded the longest stolon length (145.6 cm) in M5, while the shortest was recorded in M1 (90.6 cm) at the 13th week. Similarly, St. Augustine’s grass recorded the longest stolon length (132.5 cm) in M5 and the shortest in M1 (30.7 cm). The biggest stolon girth for both St. Augustine’s and Bermuda grasses was induced by the topsoil (M1) only treatment. The highest number of tillers in the Bermuda grass was observed in M5, while that for St. Augustine’s, was observed in M4 treatment. The highest dry matter production by Bermuda grass was recorded in M5 (4.67 g/cm2), while the lowest was observed in M1 (0.87 g/cm2). Similarly, the highest dry matter production by St. Augustine grass was recorded in M2 (3.33 g/cm2) whilst the lowest was observed in M3(1.40g/cm2). The results showed that dibble (T2) planting density favored quick establishment of Bermuda grass. In the case of planting depth 2.5 cm was the optimum depth. Regarding planting density, P3: 15 dibble/m2 took longer time for grass establishment. Sod (Bermuda) produced the highest dry weight of 384.5 g/m2, in the coastal savanna whereas Stolon (Bermuda) produced 211 g/m2. Similarly, sod (St. Augustine’s) produced dry matter of 243.8 g/m2, whilst Stolon (St. Augustine’s) produced 175.8 g/m2, In the forest zone, however, Sod (Bermuda) produced dry weight of 166.8 g/m2, whilst Stolon (Bermuda) produced 216 g/m2 dry matter. Moreover, sod (St. Augustine’s) produced 230.5 g/m2 dry weight whilst Stolon (St. Augustine’s) produced 177.5 g/m2 dry weight. Additionally, Stolon (Bermuda) recorded the highest weed dry weight of 92 g/m2 and 142 g/m2 in the coastal and forest regions respectively whereas Stolon (St. Augustine’s) recorded (83 g/m2, 97 g/m2). However, Sod effect on weed infestation was low compared to that of stolon. Planting materials (sod and stolons) performed differently within the two ecological zones due to the differences in the soil type, rainfall and temperature regimes.