Aesthetic and sensory quality of Emerald grass (Zoysia japonica) as a function of substrate cultivation and mineral fertilization

Ornamental lawns, such as Emerald grass (Zoysia japonica), require adequate fertilization management for their development, as well as the substrate used as a base in cultivation is of great importance to improve the aesthetic quality of the species. These two factors together, can provide a better acceptance of the turfgrass, through sensory analysis. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the aesthetic and sensory quality of the Emerald grass, as a function of cultivation on substrates and mineral fertilization. The work was carried out from September to December 2012, in a 5x3 factorial scheme [5 substrates x (2 fertilizers + control)], with 3 repetitions. Emerald grass mats were implanted in 8.5 L containers, filled with 5 substrates: S1 = soil, S2 = soil + sand (2:1), S3 = soil + organic compost (1:1), S4 = soil + compost organic + sand (2:1:1) and S5 = compost + sand (3:1). And the fertilizers used were based on a NPK formulation (10-10-10) applying 60 g m-2, and 125 g m-2 of a commercial product. Were evaluated: lawn height, relative chlorophyll index, dark green color index, and sensory analysis for appearance and color attributes and acceptability index. It was observed that the substrates based on organic compost presented the best results for the evaluated parameters, and the fertilizations carried out with the commercial product and the formulated NPK, presented similar results in the grass development evaluations, while the sensorial analysis is an important tool for accepting the aesthetics of a lawn.