TITEL Ondertitel naam adres

Low pHLow ECHigh OM contentHigh C:P High C:NLow concentration of heavy metalsLow potential biodegradation need to be mixed with other materials in compostImmobilisation of mineral N can be applied to avoid nutrient leaching

Valorisation of sod-cuttings and chopped material from nature management:Opportunities for potting media, composting or as a soil improverViaene J., Reubens B., Vandecasteele B., Willekens K., De Neve S. Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 109, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumGhent University, Department of Soil Management, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium

jarinda.viaene@ilvo.vlaanderen.be www.ilvogenesys.be

METHODOLOGY & RESULTSSod-cuttings and chopped material

High OM contentHigh C:NHigh C:P

SupplyNature conservation areas Improve OM content of arable soils Avoid nutrient leachingSoil improvers with high C:PDemandAgricultureLogisticsLegislation/policyEconomic feasibility1. Possible applications & requirements

Physico-chemical analysis stable materials!2. Stumbling blocks to on-farm composting

Quantity, availability and geographic location Need for specialised equipmentLarge time and work investmentUnclear legislation

3. Benefits of composting sod-cuttings and chopped material

Solution for shortage of C-rich feedstock materials Improves OM content of the soil but avoids nutrient leachingFurther experiments will be performed to test the potential of these materials as feedstock for on-farm composting (technical research) and the potential for cooperation between stakeholders from nature management and agriculture (socio-economic research). This research is one case study within the participative GENESYS-project where a similar approach is followed for different organic by-products.Multiple stakeholder meetings identify:pH-H2OECOMC:PC:N [S/cm][%/DM]Chopped material5.0 0.679.9 41.945.8 31.3634.4 245.731.2 13.4Sod-cuttings4.7 0.265.5 30.218.6 9.6538.5 152.222.4 1.8OBJECTIVECONCLUSION

Sod-cuttings and chopped material = by-products from nature managementHigher valorisation potential?Potential resource for agriculture?Science & stakeholder driven research to guarantee market introduction??

After sieving: fraction < 2 mm

After sieving: fraction 2 - 20 mmAfter sieving: fraction > 20 mmChoppered material from heathlandSod-cuttings from heathland