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Response of Turfgrass to Various Nitrogen Sources
Author(s) -
Landschoot P. J.,
Waddington D. V.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1987.03615995005100010046x
Subject(s) - oxamide , nitrogen , urea , chemistry , poa pratensis , straw , agronomy , zoology , biology , poaceae , biochemistry , organic chemistry , crystallography
Nitrogen sources with different properties and release characteristics are used to meet a variety of fertility management needs in turfgrass culture. Our objective was to determine the response of turfgrass to various urea‐formaldehyde reaction products; two particle sizes of oxamide; experimental sulfur‐coated ureas (SCU); products containing combinations of N sources; and an experimental composted sewage sludge. Nitrogen sources included for comparative purposes were isobutylidene diurea (IBDU); commercial SCU products; soluble sources; and Milorganite. In this 2.5‐yr study, 25 N source treatments were evaluated on ‘Merion’ Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.) using 196 kg N ha −1 yr −1 , split into two equal applications. Turf response was measured by weekly color ratings, weekly clipping yields, and N uptake for six growth periods during 2 yr. Urea‐formaldehyde reaction products containing no water‐in‐soluble N (WIN) gave results similar to those of conventional soluble N sources, while products containing WIN caused less initial color and growth responses, but gave a slight residual effect in the third year of use. Nitrogen uptake for powdered ureaform (66% of N as WIN) and the suspension FLUF (20% of N as WIN) was 44 and 75%, respectively, of that obtained with Formolene (0% WIN). Major differences in color and growth were found for the different particle sizes of oxamide, with the fine (<0.25 mm) material providing a faster release and less residual effect than the coarse (1‐3 mm) material. Turf fertilized with coarse oxamide responded similarly to that fertilized with coarse IBDU (0.7‐2.5 mm). Commercial SCU and fine particle SCU made with curtain granulated urea (94% of particles between 1.14 and 2.38 mm; dissolution rates: 6 and 15%) had pronounced residual effects, especially in the spring prior to fertilization. The experimental composted sewage sludge was inferior to Milorganite as a source of N for use on turf. N uptake with the compost treatment was only 32% of that obtained with Milorganite. Turf response from combinations of N sources generally reflected the amount and type of N source present. All N sources except the sludge compost were effective for turfgrass fertilization. Selection of an N source or combination of sources for turf fertilization should be dependent on quickness and duration of response desired, rate and frequency of applications, and various economic factors.