THE EFFECT OF DEICING CHEMICALS ON TURFGRASS

Runoff from deicing products applied to paved surfaces may result in turfgrass injury. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of damage caused by several common deicer products. The study was conducted on an established stand of common Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) at the Iowa State University Research Station north of Ames, Iowa. Treatments containing 30 percent urea + 70 percent calcium chloride, 50 percent urea + 50 percent calcium chloride, 67 percent urea + 33 percent calcium chloride, potassium chloride, urea, rock salt, Safe Step (50 percent rock salt + 50 percent potassium chloride), magnesium chloride, and calcium chloride pellets were evaluated. It was found that urea at rates greater than 610 grams/square meter/year, and rock salt greater than 2440 grams/square meter/year can cause severe vegetation loss and poor re-establishment of turf from seeding.

• Corporate Authors:

  PTRC Education and Research Services Limited

  Glenthorne House, Hammersmith Grove
  London W6OL9,   England 
• Authors:
  • Minner, D D
  • Bingaman, B R
  • Gall, J A
• Conference:
  • Xth PIARC International Winter Road Congress
  • Location: Lulea, Sweden
  • Date: 1998-3-16 to 1998-3-19
• Publication Date: 1998

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: p. 529-537
• Serial:
  • Volume: 3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calcium chloride; Deicing chemicals; Grasses; Potassium chloride; Runoff; Turf; Urea
• Geographic Terms: Iowa
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Maintenance and Preservation; I62: Winter Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00751938
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Technical Report, Volume 1, Volume 2
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1998 12:00AM