Produce quality turf by following these tried and true nutrition practices. A lush lawn provides numerous benefits, such as controlling soil erosion, absorbing polluting air particles and providing oxygen. Proper fertilization ensures that turf receives the nutrients it needs to better withstand stresses, including foot traffic, pests, diseases and heat. Peter Landschoot, a professor of turfgrass science at Pennsylvania State University, says that “fertilization does more to improve poor quality turfgrass or to maintain good quality turfgrass than any other management practice.” Know Your Turf “The type and amount of fertilizer you use and the timing of your applications...
Prevent iron chlorosis from yellowing your turf A vibrant green blanket of consistent, rich, emerald color characterizes healthy, lush turfgrass. A pale yellow cast across this perfection is like a dark shadow ruining the turf picture. This bleached turf is usually a result of iron chlorosis, a condition that occurs when green chlorophyll in turf tissue fails to develop properly because it lacks iron. “Although iron is not a part of the chlorophyll molecule, it is one of the nutrients essential for chlorophyll synthesis,” according to the Louisiana State University Ag Center. Understanding of the causes of iron deficiency,...
Determining nutrient deficiencies in turf takes a thorough understanding of the biotic and abiotic factors that can damage and discolor it. No one likes it when brown patches cause unsightly blemishes in a perfect stand of turf. Effective turfgrass management involves finding out if the origin of these sometimes sudden and usually troublesome imperfections is a nutrition problem or something else. Just like any plant, various factors or agents can stunt turf growth and, as a result, negatively impact its appearance and strength. These outside pressures usually fall into two categories: biotic (living) or abiotic (non-living). Determining which agent...
The role of macronutrients and micronutrients in turf nutrition While nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) tend to get all the attention when it comes to turf nutrition, there are fourteen other nutrients that play important roles as well. These include carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum, chlorine and nickel. When the soil cannot supply adequate amounts of these nutrients, supplemental fertilizer applications may become necessary. A Closer Look at the Essential Nutrients Non-mineral Nutrients Turf pulls large amounts of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen from the atmosphere in the form of carbon...
