Effect of Fertilization on Penncross Creeping Bentgrass¹

Abstract

Although turfgrass fertilization influences many factors that affect turfgrass quality, little information is presently available that encompasses the interrelationships between fertilization, soil fertility, and turfgrass response and quality. A field study was conducted on Hagerstown soil (fine, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludalf) to determine the effects of N sources (Agrinite, Milorganite, ureaform, and urea), P rates (0, 0.49, 0.98, and 1.95 kg/100 m2), and K rates (0, 0.76, and 1.52 kg/100 m2) on soil nutrient levels and the growth, quality, and chemical composition of ‘Penncross’ creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) maintained as putting green turf. Wilting, disease, chlorosis, and annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) infestation were used to assess quality. Fertilization with Milorganite increased available soil P and Mg. Available P and K in the soil ranged from 11 to 94 ppm and 0.06 to 0.28 meq/100 g, respectively. Elemental content of clippings was affected by all treatments, and treatment × date of sampling interactions that occurred could limit the usefulness of tissue analyses for diagnosing the nutritional status of turfgrasses. When K was applied at 0.76 kg/100 m2, both tissue and available soil K increased. When the K rate was increased to 1.52 kg/100 m2, the additional increment of K caused a greater increase in soil K and a smaller increase in tissue K than was obtained with the first increment of added K. The greatest change in tissue P occurred with the first incremental addition of P. Tissue P was not greatly affected by soil P above 24 ppm. Phosphorus fertilization had little effect on clipping yield; however, K fertilization tended to increase growth, as well as decrease chlorosis noted in early spring. Less severe summer wilting was observed with Agrinite, Milorganite, and K treatments. Less dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoecarpa F. T. Bennett) infection was noted with urea fertilization. Annual bluegrass invasion was favored by P and K fertilization and the effect of one was enhanced by the other. Milorganite, which increased soil P, also favored annual bluegrass. Results of this study indicated a need for more work in soil test calibration for turfgrasses.

Effect of potassium rate on growth, quality, chemical composition, and winter hardiness of perennial ryegrass

“…This increase was a 93% increase over the control. Previous reports have also showed that K application increased the K concentration in the plant tissue (4,10,11,12). A slight reduction in K content was observed when 650 kg K/ha was applied as compared with 450 and 550 kg K/ha application rates.…”

“…Furthermore, K application has been reported to increase plant growth and K content as well as reduce calcium (Ca) and (4,8,9,11,13). In addition, K fertilization has been found to increase cold hardiness and color of plants (1,2,5,7,8,12).…”

Quantitative and qualitative responses of an established Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) turf to N, P, and K additions

“…Christians (2004) explained that turfgrass has fibrous multi-branched root systems that make them relatively efficient at obtaining P from the soil. Even in soils that tested low to very low in P, little or no clipping yield response has been observed by Walker et al (1963), Waddington et al (1978), Turner (1980), Razmjoo and Kaneko (1993).…”

“…Similarly, clipping yield response to K addition has also been found to be non-significant in soils testing medium to high in K (Walker et al 1963), in soils testing low to medium in K (Waddington et al 1978), and even in soils testing very low to low in K (Waddington et al 1972;Hull and Smith 1974;Barrios and Jones 1980;Turner 1980). …”

“…Additions of 50 to 350 kg P ha -1 yr -1 had no effect on turfgrass shoot density or foliage colour (Waddington et al 1978;Razmjoo and Kaneko 1993). observed no improvement on shoot density and foliage colour from using more than 49 compared to 98 and 196 kg K ha -1 yr -1 .…”