Pelleting Grasseed Straw for Use as a Groundcover Mulch to Aid in Establishing Turfgrass and Controlling Erosion

Pelletized Straw will develop and test formulas for the production of pellets made from grasseed straw for use as an organic mulch in support of the establishment of turfgrasses in commercial and residential applications. We will test for pellet formulations that retain the high bulk density of initial trial product while seeking to feed an optimum fiber length to the pelleter. We will test our best formulations under field conditions to determine how the material will react when it is hydrated and ruptured by the action of the water. We will test for uniformity of coverage on the soil surface and for the ability to resist movement under pressure from wind and water. We will select a formulation that shows optimum characteristics when fed to the pellet machine with excellent adhesion and flow rate yet will rupture to form a uniform ground cover that will remain in place, provide superior water infiltration and retention, and keep the soil surface open to oxygen transfer.