Treated sewage sludge (or biosolid) is a suitable alternative substrate for use in turf production, but the potential of this resource remains to be explored in higher value-added field. In this study, the negative effects of sludge compost and biochar-amended sludge compost amendment on the qualitative performance of sports-field turf, including vegetation stolon index, grade for turf, and sports performance index, were investigated. It was found that sludge compost and biochar-amended sludge compost amendment induced a significant increase in organic matter, total nitrogen, total potassium, and electrical conductivity. In addition, biochar-amended sludge compost also resulted in a significant increase in turf chlorophyll content and the rate of turf weed emergence. Interestingly, electrical conductivity explained 55.4% of the qualitative changes, and electrical conductivity and pH together explained 68% of the qualitative changes. In summary, salinity was the main factor responsible for the negative effect of sludge compost amendment on qualitative performance of sports-field turf.
Keywords: Amendment; Biosolid; Compost; Salinity; Sludge; Turf.