Golf course turf

Nutrient management

Nitrogen is the nutrient required in greatest amount by turfgrass.{{cite book

In the spring, heavy nitrogen applications for the first two months caused changes in color, but the nitrogen response by the grass was not maintained and a decrease in color was found as the growing season progressed. Spring fertilization can increase the tiller numbers of the grass compared to fall fertilization.{{cite journal

In the fall, application of nitrogen fertilizer can cause improved color retention and early spring coloration. Year-to-year differences in nitrogen loss during the fall result from differences in temperature and precipitation. Lower levels of nitrogen loss during fall can be found when it was warmer (more plant uptake) and dryer (less loss due to leaching).

The quality and color of turf can increase depending on nitrogen application amount. high rates create darker green turf. There is a positive correlation between high levels of nitrogen fertilizer used on turf and turf quality for any level of wear.{{cite journal

Environmental quality

Groundwater and air quality should be considered when applying fertilizer and pesticides to turf.

Fertilizer

Turf growth at the time of nitrogen application affects nitrate (NO) leaching risk. For example, grass absorbed more N during active growth while uptake was limited in newly seeded turf. In another study, nitrogen applied after 15 September (of a northern-hemisphere autumn) caused relatively little plant growth, resulting in increased NO - N concentration in percolate water.

Areas made of sod undergo greater leaching than seeded turf plots.{{cite journal

A highly soluble fertilizer, containing nitrogen in its nitrate form, such as ammonium nitrate, can create leaching three to seven times greater than United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits of (10 ppm) NO3-N during a time of ten to twenty-five days following nitrogen application.{{cite journal

Photoperiod (the length of daylight) affects overall plant uptake. When the length of daylight gets shorter, grass undergoes less photosynthesis and uptakes less nitrogen.{{cite journal

Pesticides

The antifungal cyproconazole was marketed as early as 1995 for use on sod farms and golf courses.

References

References

1. (September 1995). "cyproconazole - Registration of Sentinel 40 WG Turf Fungicide (EPA Reg. No. 55947-132)". EPA.