This experiment examined the effects of blending bottom ash produced after combusting dry livestock manure (BACL, 2-4 mm particle) as a soil amendment on the physicochemical properties of the root zone and growth response of creeping bentgrass in sandy soil. The treatments were designed as follows: control [100% sand], 3% BACL (3% BACL + 97% sand), 5% BACL (5% BACL + 95% sand), 7% BACL (7% BACL + 93% sand), and 10% BACL (10% BACL + 90% sand). Although BACL improved the soil physical properties, such as the capillary porosity, total porosity, and hydraulic conductivity, it reduced the cation exchangeable capacity. The BACL treatments increased the pH, EC, Av-P2O5, and Ex-K compared to the control. The turf color index, chlorophyll content, shoot length, clipping yield, and shoot dry weight after the BACL treatments were similar to the control. The growth and nutrient uptake of the roots in the BACL treatment were higher than those of the control. The BACL application amount was positively correlated with the capillary porosity and total porosity of the root zone (p <= 0.01) and with the growth and nutrient levels of the roots (p <= 0.05). These results suggest that applying BACL as a soil amendment enhanced the uptake of phosphorus and potassium in the roots of creeping bentgrass by improving the soil porosity in the root zone and by supplying phosphate and potassium.

It is beneficial for disaster prevention and mitigation to use a numerical model to evaluate landslide stability. The Sifangbei landslide, located in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA), is sliding slowly under the action of reservoir water. Due to the lack of early technology and funds, the depiction of the longitudinal profile and stability analysis of the landslide are very limited. In this study, the longitudinal profile of the main sliding direction was corrected from the original version of the ground model using field investigation, drilling, in situ monitoring, and geophysical observation. Then, through the establishment of numerical models, the landslide model based on the original profile is used as a reference to re-study its deformation characteristics and stability analysis. The results are as follows: The displacement response of the new model is closer to the real deformation record of the landslide. The deformation of the landslide body in the rear and front edge is significant, even during periods of low rainfall in the reservoir storage season. According to the hydraulic mechanism, the stability changes of the two models under the influence of RWL show that there is a stronger buoyancy force of the soil mass in the front resisting after the profile of the model is modified. The above conclusions indicate that the Sifangbei landslide is not a typical seepage-driven landslide, and its prevention and control should be updated in time. This study also provides a case for the same type of landslide and the relationship between the landslide deformation and the sliding surface shape.

Root-knot nematodes were discovered in severely declining creeping bentgrass putting greens at a golf course in Indian Wells, Riverside County, California. The exhibited disease symptoms included chlorosis, stunted growth, and dieback. Based on morphological examination and measurements of J2 females and males, it was suggested that the causal pathogen was Meloidogyne marylandi. This identification was confirmed by analysis of the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA and COI gene sequences. The host status of 28 plant species was evaluated in greenhouse trials. All tested monocots, except rye and Allium species, were found to be hosts, while no reproduction occurred on dicots. Temperature-tank experiments helped determine that the life cycle of M. marylandi was completed between 17-35 degrees C, with a base temperature of 8.3 degrees C and a required heat sum of 493 degree-days (DD). In greenhouse trials in pasteurized soil and near-ideal growing conditions, M. marylandi did not cause significant growth reduction of creeping bentgrass cv. Penn A-4, even at very high J2 inoculation densities. It is highly probable that other biotic and abiotic factors contributed to the observed putting green damage.