The use of biosolids as potential organic fertilizer on greenhouse flowers and turfgrasses

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Sewage sludge is a waste product produced from municipal water treatment and is composed primarily ofdewatered microbial biomass from the anaerobic digester. Composted biosolids improve soil fertility andstructure while providing disease suppression for root and foliar pathogens. Additions of biosolids to plantsgrown in greenhouse and field can help to naturally suppress disease infiltration by the addition of antagonisticorganisms. The slow mineralization of biosolids fertilizers provides long-term nutrient release which isbeneficial for the environment. If these amendments are applied to soils at an appropriate rate they could be asafe and efficient source of organic fertilizer. Turfgrass is grown as a perennial crop that can create completeground cover and has a rather high root to shoot ratio. Turfgrasses grown for maintained areas require highamounts of fertilizer, especially nitrogen, and can benefit from an increase organic matter as many turfgrassesare grown on sandy soils. Expansion into this industry is essential for reducing the amount of sewage sludgesent to landfill where its nutrient rich qualities are underutilized. Turning this waste product into a viablesource of nutrients and microbial communities has been done by several companies including the Ontariobased company named Lystek. The objectives of this research are to determine the suitability of use innon-food crops such as turfgrass production and ornamental floriculture and help to understand how biosolidschange soil and plant root health.