Compost trials show potential for compost use in golf sector

Cré - Composting & Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland - and WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) co-sponsored preliminary trials to investigate the use of high quality composted materials in the maintenance of golf fairways.

The trials were undertaken at the K Club Golf Course, County Kildare, Ireland.

Although the compost trials performed at the K-Club for the project were short in duration (3 months), several pointers can be taken from them -

• Compost application did not increase the incidence of weed infestation.
• There was no effect on soil pH from the compost applied.
• Compost addition increased the organic matter content of the soil.
• Compost application provided a significant quick release of nitrogen to turf, providing a quick ‘green-up’ effect (within 14 days) without excessive growth. Hence, in a golf fairway application, compost could be used to provide a simple means of greening up turf quickly and evenly. However, by the end of the trial it was obvious by observation of the turf colour that additional nitrogen fertiliser was required.
• The application of both types (garden and garden/food material compost) of composted materials provided nutrients to the trial plots, compared to plots with no compost added;
• There was some evidence of reduced incidence of disease on the plots treated with compost materials late in trial (between days 56 to 70), compared to plots without.
• There was no significant increase in worm castings from compost application.

Ian Garner, Manager of WRAP Northern Ireland, said - “Using quality compost to improve and maintain golf courses is a sustainable option and one that is getting more attention from course owners. This project, led by Cré, has produced good evidence supporting compost use in this sector.”

Percy Foster, CEO of Cré said - “We were delighted with the success of this short trial. It demonstrated that there is a potential new market for compost use on golf course fairways. It was a pleasure to work with WRAP on this project and it clearly showed that a combined effort to develop all island markets for compost is the way forward.”