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Published byTerence Oliver Modified over 9 years ago
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Turfgrass Nutrition
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Soil Test Six inches deep Mix up a pint When? – establishment to till into soil – yearly or other year
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Nitrogen Deficiency symptoms Chlorosis (yellowing) – Turf will look hungry Slow growth – Amount of clippings collected
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Nitrogen Excessive N Reduced root growth – Increased shoot to root ratio More shoots, fewer roots
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Nitrogen Excessive N Increase thatch accumulation
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Nitrogen Excessive N Succulent growth – Prone to disease and insect – Cells walls are thinner
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Phosphorus Importance is in the root growth
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Phosphorus Starter fertilizers are high in P Limited root systems Higher demand for P during early stages
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Phosphorus Immobile nutrient Will not move into the soil solution Extremely fibrous root system will get it Fertilizers generally low in P
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Phosphorus P deficiency Purple discoloration Rarely seen in turf Don’t confuse with cold
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POTASSIUM Stress nutrient Improves heat and cold tolerance
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POTASSIUM Deficiency symptoms not distinct Best used in 1:1 ratios with N
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IRON Micronutrient most likely to be deficient in turf Effects only the foliage applied to, not new growth – Keeps good color without growth
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IRON Iron deficiency Chlorosis on new growth High pH soil changes iron to an unusable form
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IRON Forms of Iron Iron Sulfate Cheap Short lasting Iron Chelate Expensive Keeps iron in a more useable form Longer impact STABLE!
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CEC, Cation Exchange Capacity Nutrient holding potential of soil Cations are positively charged elements Anions negatively charged
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CEC, Cation Exchange Capacity Nutrient holding potential Soil particles, particularly clay and OM, have negative charge Soil attracts and holds cations – K, Ca, Mg, NH4
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CEC, Cation Exchange Capacity Anions leach through soil – NO3 (nitrate) Almost all N is available as NO3 Sand has low CEC, thus low fertility
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Fertilizer
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Fertilizer Analysis 3 numbers are % N - P - K (complete fertilizers) – Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium
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Quick Release Nitrogen Water-soluble Immediately available to plant 1 to 2 week supply Frequent, lower rates – Spoon feeding
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Quick Nitrogen Release High burn potential Do not apply over 1 pound N / 1000 ft2 Water in after application Susceptible to leaching
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Quick Nitrogen Release Inexpensive Urea very common form
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Too Much Urea
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Slow Release Nitrogen Extended period of time N is released Generally 6 to 10 weeks Quick release N response Slow release N response
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Slow Nitrogen Release Not all N in package slow release Less burn potential Less susceptible to leaching
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Coated Slow-release Size variation Larger granules Damage affects N release
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Sulfur-coated urea (SCU) Urea covered with sulfur and wax MO breaks down the S coating
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Sulfur-coated urea (SCU) Imperfect release due to imperfections of coating and damage Least expensive
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Polymer-coated Perforated synthetic coating – Osmocote most popular (not for turf) 5 to 16 months release – Coating thickness
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Polymer-coated Might be combined with sulfur-coated
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Non-coated Slow-release Uniform size Smaller granules Less damage
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Nitrogen tied up in complex formaldehyde molecules Dependent on MO to break down Release faster in warmer, wet weather Ureaformaldehyde
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Ureaform – Nitroform, UF, Blue Chip products Long complex N-chains Slowest release
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Ureaformaldehyde Methylene Ureas – Nutralene products Intermediate N-chains
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IBDU Isobutylidene Diurea Water releases nitrogen – Release not as affected by temperature or MO Particle size affects release
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Organic Manure, bone meal, sludge MO breaks down Come in very low N% May improve soil over time Very low burn potential
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Organic Milorganite, product of Milwaukee Sewage Commission Activated sewage sludge contains 6% N Lower disease and insect
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Organic Corn Gluten 10% N Also, pre-emergent herbicide
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Applications Use 1/2 rate in heavy shade Use 1/2 rate in heavy shade Turn off at turns Turn off at turns Water immediately Water immediately Avoid spills that burn grass Avoid spills that burn grass
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Application Commercial spreader 30’ to 50’
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Application Rotary spreader 6’ to 10’
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Application Drop spreader – Striping more likely Hand spreader
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Applications First Application (Nitrogen): end of April
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Applications Last Application: Mid-August with N Sept or Oct apply with P and K
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Applications Timing Make applications between 4 to 6 weeks apart depending on fertilizer
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Applications Each application 1 pound N / M Bermuda, St. Augustine and zoysia As many as 4 applications per year – May, June, July and August
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Applications Each application 1/2 pound N / M Centipede 2 applications per year May and August Centipede: use low P
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Fertilizer Label Spreader setting on bag
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NITROGEN FERTILIZATION How many pounds of fertilizer has 1 pound of Nitrogen? CALCULATOR 25-3-18 ratio has 25% N 100 pounds of fertilizer Has 25 pounds N
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NITROGEN FERTILIZATION How many pounds of fertilizer has 1 pound of Nitrogen? 100 DIVIDED BY Nitrogen 100 / 25 = 4 4 pounds of fertilizer (25-3-18) has 1 pound N
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