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Fertilization
Why Fertilize? Replenish plant nutrients to sustain optimum growth and health of the plant. Losses of nutrients occur through leaching, clipping removal, irrigation,rainfall, and volatilization Essential nutrients for plant growth: C, H, O, P, K, N, S, Ca, Fe, Mg, B, Cl, Cu, Mn, Mo, and Zn. Turfgrass requires nitrogen more than any other nutrient

Way to Remember the Elements

~Mnemonic Devices~ Macronutrients: C, H, O, P, K, N, S, Ca, Fe, Mg C HOPK'NS CaF Management Micronutrients: B, Mo, Cu, Cl, Mn, Zn B Mo Cu Cl Mn Zn Bobs Mom and Cousin Clio will manage soon

Turfgrasses require 16 (some now say 17) essential elements to grow and complete their life cycle C, H, O from air and water Remaining 13-14 from 13growing media

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Most standard turf fertilizers contain N-P-K and often minors such as Fe, Mg, Ca, etc. Before fertilizing you should have knowledge of: species requirement air temperature soil moisture precipitation in forecast? type of fertilizer being applied

Importance of Nutrients to Turfgrass Growth and Development N P Rooting X Shoot growth (tillers. X rhizomes, stolons) Leaf growth X Color X Establishment X (germination and seedlings) Hardiness drought heat cold Disease susceptibility X Wear tolerance X Recuperative potential X Composition of turf X X community

X X X X

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USGA Greens Record Sept./Oct 2003 Jim Skorulski

Many different types of Fertilizer- discussed here are the more common types of fertilizers used in golf course management! Important characteristics or facts you need to know when purchasing fertilizer: a) burn potential b) release rates -water soluble or water insoluble c) analysis d) safety of product i.e. NH4 NO3 e) cost of product f) environmental concerns ( i.e. leaching) g) ease of handling h) spreadability

HIGHER SALT INDEX

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Nitrogen Fertilizers: There are three types we will discuss: I) synthetic inorganic II) synthetic organic IIb) Coated synthetic organics III) natural organic
Nitrogen taken up in two forms: NH4+ or NO3- mostly Nitrification of ammonia to nitrites to nitrates NH4+ NO2 NO3nitrosomas nitrobacter

NO3-

I) Synthetic inorganic (don't contain C) - In general characteristics of these fertilizers are: a) readily soluble in water b) available to plant almost immediately c) can cause growth flushes d) leach and or volatilize e) high burn potential f) are usually cheaper than coated or controlled release types

Examples of synthetic inorganics are: 1) Ammonium Nitrate NH4N03 - 33%N - handle with care-very explosive - high salt index 2) Ammonium sulfate NH4SO4 - 21% N - high salt index - used if careful - may be used to help lower pH 3) Potassium Nitrate KNO3 -13% K - 37%N -Product K power -good to use in fall for hardening off

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II) Synthetic organics- group contains both: i) water soluble and ii) water insoluble forms
i) Urea- is the primary water soluble form. a) rapid response b) high burn potential c) high N 46% d) leaches easily ii) Water insoluble forms include: a) Urea formaldehyde b) IBDU

a) Urea formaldehyde -38% N -very slow release rate - (long chain methlylene urea) -low burn potential -microbes to break it down -Allows high application rates -long lasting -reduces risk of leaching Cons: -cost -3-4 weeks before color change (no initial response)

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b) IBDU -made by reacting urea with isobutyraldehyde -31% N -slow release rate -2-4 weeks delay in response -very expensive -microbes have minimal effect on release rate -soil moisture particle size, and temperature influence release rate -be careful if excessive rainfall ie. July

IIb) Coated synthetic organic fertilizers- provide good initial response compared to IBDU and UF Two types - sulfur coated and polymer coated. Advantages coated materials: a) low burn potential b) no surge-release rates gradual c) ease of handling d) Minimal loss to leaching e) Long or timed duration of feeding g) Reduced labor due to reducing frequency of applications Cons a) cost b) mowers or traffic can break coating

Two types: 1) Sulfur Coated Urea (SCU) -coating = wax prill -release rates dependent on: soil temperature and water coating thickness and size of prill -20-30% released in first 2 weeks 2) Polymer Coated Urea (http://harrells.com/focus/polyon/) -urea coated in polymers (plastic) -nutrients release by diffusion and need soil moisture -soil temperature effects release rates -warmer the temperatures the faster the release-be careful in summer -Poly-on or osmocote are examples!

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SCU / PCU - formed by coating ureas granules with sulfur and a thin coating of sealant or polymers (wax, resins)

III) Natural Organics-Derived from animal or plant a) animal manure b) bone meal c) sewage sludge d) dried blood e) plant refuse f) seaweed extract Characteristics of organics a) slowly available N b) Usually a low N content i.e. 6% or less c) very safe non burning d) warm temperatures and microbes to break down e) cost > than synthetics

Note*- N in organics present in amine group (-NH2) it must be converted to NH4 before being taken up by plant called Ammonification: Also Nitrification=NH4------NO2-------NO3 Many common granular organic products used on golf courses two are: 1) Milorganite 6-2-0 Activated sewage sludge 2) Sustane 5-2-4 composted turkey litter

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Claims of manufacturers and researchers: -organics not only increase nutrient levels they have also been shown to reduce: disease activity of turfgrasses thatch build up or increase decomposition nitrate leaching(as with all slow release materials) soil compaction (this based on adding organic matter to soil) however not evident in studies of three years.

Claims by manufacturers and some researchers regarding organics: a) reduced soil compaction b) reduced thatch build up or increase decomposition c) reduced nitrate leaching d) reduce disease activity of turfgrasses

Compost derived fertilizers

Compost

Urea

Snow Mold Nitrogen or organic response?

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Phosphorous:

deficiencies show up in older leaves

found in greatest quantities in new cell growth

mobile in plant

Component of many plant proteins

Involved in metabolic processes including P.S.

Phosphorous Fertilization

Release over many weeks

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Potassium Fertilization Potassium facts: Needed in the plant second to Nitrogen Leaches readily from sandy soils Increase wear tolerance Increase drought and heat tolerance Increase cold tolerance Increase disease tolerance

Silicon the second most abundant mineral element in soil after oxygen.

47 = xednI t aS 47 = xednI t aS O2K %44 O2K %44 -3ONK -3ONK 47 = xednI tllllaS 47 = xednI t aS O2K %44 O2K %44 -3ONK -3ONK 4OSK 6 4 = x e d nI t a S 6 4 = x e d nI t a S O K %05 O K %05 OSK OSK 64 = xednI tllllaS 6 4 = x e d nI t a S O2K %05 O K %05 OSK 2 411 =.I.S O2K %06 hsatop fo etairum-lCK :srez tref K tsom n desu secruos eerhT :srez tref K tsom n desu secruos eerhT :sreziiiilllliiiitref K tsom niiii desu secruos eerhT :srez tref K tsom n desu secruos eerhT
Silicon? Recent research with Si has shown: Positive effect on relieving stress Foliar spray potassium silicate reduced injury to wear Improved turf growth, drought and heat resistance Quality, Color, and Density increased Disease suppression

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Silicon continued:

Comments: More research needs to be done before recommendations of Si can be made Analytical tools utilized to exam soil and tissue nutrient levels for other nutrients are not readily available for Si. If future studies indicate positive responses, improving plant performance, disease reduction then Si could be a useful tool in IPM practices in turf.

eb nac srezilitref ylppa ot nehw dna etar eht gninimreteD

Determining fertilizer rate continued:

Soil texture i.e sand Time of year Soil tests Type and form of fertilizer- Slow release or fast release. (Slow release can be applied in greater quantities while soluble should be applied in lesser amounts but more frequent) Grade and SGN

:srotcaf fo yteirav a no tnedneped :srotcaf fo yteirav a no tnedneped :srotcaf fo yteirav a no tnedneped :srotcaf fo yteirav a no tnedneped

n noitazilitreF
Species Length of growing season-ie. Me. vs. N.J. Level of quality desired. Purpose turf used for (wear factors). i.e. tees v.s. fairways Cultural practices- i.e. Irrigation and clipping collection reduces nutrient reservoir in soil

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Determining Rates and Reading the Label

Complete fertilizer contains N-P-K called the grade or Items found on the bag: Percent N-P-K Weight Sources of N-P-K Other nutrients present % water soluble N % water insoluble N SGN (maybe)
analysis

% P2O5 %N % K2O
Grade

Guaranteed Analysis minimum percentage of nutrients which is displayed on the label

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83% of the total N in soluble form

Calculations

Mixed Blended
SCU prill Urea prill
4

Homogenous fertilizer each granule contains all of the nutrients

OSK OSK OSK OSK

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SGN = Size Guide Number = Basically prill size SGN determined by - the size below which 50%of the particles occur multiplied by 10. for example if 50% fall below 1.9mm then SGN = 190

Indicators that can be used to aid in determining fertilizer timing: -color -amount of clippings removed -wear of turf areas -physiological growth characteristics of turfgrass *Fertilization should not be for color alone. A knowledge of turfgrass growth is needed to figure timing. Fertilization to build up carbohydrate levels and reserves is important in helping the turfgrass plant survive stresses*

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Fall Applications N - Promote root growth > carbos. Root growth cool season grass in fall and spring

Fertilizing in September helps: a) maintain color for P.S. > in carbohydrates b) turf heal from summer stress. Dormant Fertilizing (after last mowing): a) Maintains color continues to produce carbos. b) Reduces or eliminates need for spring applications Early Spring applications No Growth flush in spring occurs without fertilizing

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Supplemental K fertilization will aid in hardening off turf before winter and helps toughen the plant in summer. Supplemental Fe will provide color while not pushing growth (usually short lived) Fertilizer Applications

Granular Applications

Types of Seeders
Broadcast- rotary type. Pros quick and easy Cons wind carries seed / fertilizer harder to get uniform coverage.

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Drop spreaders - Pros - good for small areas with borders -applies precise application

- Cons - slow and can lead to skips or over laps

1) Granular materials are available in different sizes or grades: Smaller grades are used on low cut turf this reduces mower pickup After applying water in At next mowing mow without buckets if possible

2) Liquid Applications applied through sprayer using a boom or gun usually light frequent applications most foliar absorbed

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Advantages of foliar feeding: Reduces leaching Reduces total amount of fert. Require Quick plant response The applicator is in control-reduces surges if weather conditions change ie. IBDU Full range of products applied at once I.e. Pana sea and Pro Sol! Mix with pesticides No irrigation needed Uniform Coverage Disadvantage-Short lived need frequent applications

Spreader Calibration
With granular fertilizers, initial settings on bags. Set spreader at setting listed-This is the starting This point. Then: 1) Measure and mark out a known area (say 100) 2) Place a weighed amount of fertilizer in the spreader 3) Start walking and open hopper at start line and close hopper at finish line. 4) Pour material left into bucket and weigh 5) Solve Equation

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Initial wt.-remaining wt. 100 x width of throw

__X___ 1,000sq

Adjust spreader accordingly up or down Example: measured area = 100 Width of throw = 8 Starting weight = 10 lbs. Finish weight = 5lbs.

800 sq. feet 8 100

Calibration continued: Example: measured area = Width of throw = Starting weight = Finish weight = 100 8 10lbs. 5lbs

10 - 5 100 x 8

X 1000

5 800

x 1000

800x = 5,000

X = 6.25 lbs. Fert./1000sq.

There are other methods to calibrate ie. kits are available to attach to spreaders Some pointers I recommend when calibrating a) Calibrate on hard surface???? b) The applicator should be the person walking the measured area c) Cut rates in half and go in two directions. d) Check amounts distributed to the size of areas. i.e. green size 5,000sq

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W.C.C. Practices FairwaysLate spring-with a polycoated nitrogen source 50% polyon 50%urea. A 20-5-20 at rate of 1.25lbs./1000sq. Late Sept.- 50% SCU and 50%urea 20-5-20 at rate of .75lbs/1000sq Last Mowing- 50% SCU 50%urea 20-5-20 at rate of 1.00lbs./1000sq Soluble used when spraying Roughs and surroundsGranular applications spring and fall

TeesGranular Fertilizer at the rate of .5-.75 lbs./1000 / month Materials used are either coated or methylene ureas Iron as well as seaweed extracts often added to spray tank GreensGranulars in the spring and fall total 1.5lbs./yr 1/8 lb. foliar every 10-14 days throughout growing season Organics, Fe, added to spray mix

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