title: Preliminary investigation on the potential use of two C4 turfgrass species to reduce nutrient release in a Mediterranean drained peatland.
abstract: This study compared dry matter production, nutrient uptake and tissue nutrient concentration of two C4 turfgrass species (Cynodon dactylon × Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt Davy and Paspalum vaginatum Swartz) supplied with three different nutrient solutions in a sand and peat culture. The 8-week experiment was performed in mesocosms and simulated the conditions of an open-field phyto-treatment system located in a Mediterranean drained peatland (Tuscany, Italy). Peat was collected on the site, and one of the solutions mimicked drainage water flowing into it. Three hypotheses were tested: (i) the species chosen efficiently removed nutrients from both the solution and the substrate; (ii) peat contributed to the nutrient load; and (iii) the species chosen were suitable in the open-field system. Both species adapted well to the experimental conditions and demonstrated considerable ability to remove nutrients. P. vaginatum took up nitrogen more efficiently, mainly in conditions of high nutrient availability. We observed supplementary nutrient uptake by plants in the peat treatment. Performances of the two C4 turfgrasses extrapolated to the field scale seemed effective from a phyto-treatment perspective.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna di Studi Universitari e di Perfezionamento, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy, v.giannini@sssup.it.
authors.forename: Vittoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pistocchi
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Silvestri
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Volterrani
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cantini
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonari
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D031744:Cynodon / Q000378:metabolism*; D005068:Eutrophication; D007558:Italy; D017672:Nitrogen Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D017553:Phosphorus Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D053833:Wetlands
chemical_list: D017672:Nitrogen Compounds; D017553:Phosphorus Compounds; D012987:Soil