SHOOT BIOMASS OF TURFGRASS CULTIVARS GROWN ON COMPOSTED WASTE

Various cultivars of four cool-season grass types (tall fescue, fine f escue, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass) were seeded in 0.34 -liter plastic pots containing either composted sewage sludge [Com-Til (2) (CT), Soil Magic(2) (SM)] or composted yard mulch (YM). Plants wer e grown in the greenhouse for four weeks prior to measuring shoot biom ass. While most tall fescue cultivars showed more shoot growth on YM, perennial ryegrass cultivars generally grew better on SM. Cultivars of fine fescue and bluegrass grew about the same on YM or SM, and slight ly less on CT. With very few exceptions, shoot biomass of individual c ultivars was greater on either YM or SM than it was on CT. Within indi vidual grass types, Pennlawn (line fescue), Pennant (perennial ryegras s), and Victa (Kentucky bluegrass) averaged consistently better growth on all three composted media. For tall fescue, Aquara, Rebel II, and Monarch performed best on YM, SM, and CT, respectively. Bioaccumulatio n of heavy metals did not occur in selective samples of shoot tissues collected from the grass types used.