1. Turfgrass Nutrition

2. Soil Test Six inches deep Mix up a pint When? – establishment to till into soil – yearly or other year

4. Nitrogen Deficiency symptoms Chlorosis (yellowing) – Turf will look hungry Slow growth – Amount of clippings collected

5. Nitrogen Excessive N Reduced root growth – Increased shoot to root ratio More shoots, fewer roots

6. Nitrogen Excessive N Increase thatch accumulation

7. Nitrogen Excessive N Succulent growth – Prone to disease and insect – Cells walls are thinner

8. Phosphorus Importance is in the root growth

9. Phosphorus Starter fertilizers are high in P Limited root systems Higher demand for P during early stages

10. Phosphorus Immobile nutrient Will not move into the soil solution Extremely fibrous root system will get it Fertilizers generally low in P

11. Phosphorus P deficiency Purple discoloration Rarely seen in turf Don’t confuse with cold

12. POTASSIUM Stress nutrient Improves heat and cold tolerance

13. POTASSIUM Deficiency symptoms not distinct Best used in 1:1 ratios with N

14. IRON Micronutrient most likely to be deficient in turf Effects only the foliage applied to, not new growth – Keeps good color without growth

15. IRON Iron deficiency Chlorosis on new growth High pH soil changes iron to an unusable form

16. IRON Forms of Iron Iron Sulfate Cheap Short lasting Iron Chelate Expensive Keeps iron in a more useable form Longer impact STABLE!

17. CEC, Cation Exchange Capacity Nutrient holding potential of soil Cations are positively charged elements Anions negatively charged

18. 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

19. CEC, Cation Exchange Capacity Anions leach through soil – NO3 (nitrate) Almost all N is available as NO3 Sand has low CEC, thus low fertility

20. Fertilizer

21. Fertilizer Analysis 3 numbers are % N - P - K (complete fertilizers) – Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium

22. Quick Release Nitrogen Water-soluble Immediately available to plant 1 to 2 week supply Frequent, lower rates – Spoon feeding

23. Quick Nitrogen Release High burn potential Do not apply over 1 pound N / 1000 ft2 Water in after application Susceptible to leaching

24. Quick Nitrogen Release Inexpensive Urea very common form

25. Too Much Urea

26. Slow Release Nitrogen Extended period of time N is released Generally 6 to 10 weeks Quick release N response Slow release N response

27. Slow Nitrogen Release Not all N in package slow release Less burn potential Less susceptible to leaching

28. Coated Slow-release Size variation Larger granules Damage affects N release

29. Sulfur-coated urea (SCU) Urea covered with sulfur and wax MO breaks down the S coating

30. Sulfur-coated urea (SCU) Imperfect release due to imperfections of coating and damage Least expensive

31. Polymer-coated Perforated synthetic coating – Osmocote most popular (not for turf) 5 to 16 months release – Coating thickness

32. Polymer-coated Might be combined with sulfur-coated

33. Non-coated Slow-release Uniform size Smaller granules Less damage

34. Nitrogen tied up in complex formaldehyde molecules Dependent on MO to break down Release faster in warmer, wet weather Ureaformaldehyde

35. Ureaform – Nitroform, UF, Blue Chip products Long complex N-chains Slowest release

36. Ureaformaldehyde Methylene Ureas – Nutralene products Intermediate N-chains

37. IBDU Isobutylidene Diurea Water releases nitrogen – Release not as affected by temperature or MO Particle size affects release

38. Organic Manure, bone meal, sludge MO breaks down Come in very low N% May improve soil over time Very low burn potential

39. Organic Milorganite, product of Milwaukee Sewage Commission Activated sewage sludge contains 6% N Lower disease and insect

40. Organic Corn Gluten 10% N Also, pre-emergent herbicide

41. 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

42. Application Commercial spreader 30’ to 50’

43. Application Rotary spreader 6’ to 10’

44. Application Drop spreader – Striping more likely Hand spreader

45. Applications First Application (Nitrogen): end of April

46. Applications Last Application: Mid-August with N Sept or Oct apply with P and K

47. Applications Timing Make applications between 4 to 6 weeks apart depending on fertilizer

48. Applications Each application 1 pound N / M Bermuda, St. Augustine and zoysia As many as 4 applications per year – May, June, July and August

49. Applications Each application 1/2 pound N / M Centipede 2 applications per year May and August Centipede: use low P

50. Fertilizer Label Spreader setting on bag

51. 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

52. 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