FERTILIZING

PART 5 – FERTILIZER PRACTICES

Few soils possess sufficient inherent fertility to maintain the desired turf grass quality and recuperative potential throughout the growing season. The primary objective in applying a fertilizer is to supply plant nutrients that are deficient in the soil. In addition to supplying essential nutrients, fertilizers influence other soil properties including

a.Soil reaction
b.Nutrient availability
c.Indirect effect on the structure and microorganism population.

DETERMINING THE FERTILITY REQUIREMENT

The fertility status of a soil is constantly changing because of
a.Nutrient lost by leaching , volatilization and removal of clipping
b.Nutrient release from organic matter, minerals, and exchange sides on soil colloids.

Certain nutrients are not removed but can be combined with other compounds in insoluble forms or soil colloids in forms that are not available to the turfgrass plant.

Diagnostic aids that can be used in determining the nutrient status and fertility requirements of a turf include  

a.Visual symptoms
b.Tissue test
c.Soil test

SELECTING A FERTILIZER

Characteristics of importance in selecting a turf grass fertilizer include

a.Spreadability
b.Dustiness
c.Bulkiness
d.Water solubility
e.Foliar burn potential
f.Initial plant response time
g.Residual response
h.Ratio
i.Efficiency
j.Effect on soil reaction
k.Cost
l.Fire hazard
m.Storage characteristics.

HOW TO USE FERTILIZERS

Factors determining the appropriate fertilizer rate, time of application and carrier to utilize in a given situation include

a.Level of available essential nutrients
b.Turf grass requirements
c.Cost
d.Environmental conditions
e.Turf grass quality level desired
f.Shoot growth rate desired
g.Intensity of use
h.Soil physical condition
i.Cultural system utilized

Media Department; The RS Group.