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Fertilizer Influence on Soil and Turf Quality

Summary of First Annual Report

 

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Department of Soil Science

College of Agricultural and Life Science

 

 

The first of a three year study to measure the effects of various types of fertilizers.

Soil quality or the role of healthy soil on land used for crop production has been studied extensively over the years. This study investigated the effects of NATURAL SCIENCE 12-0-0 Organic Fertilizer as well as other fertilizers on a stand of "Providence" creeping bent grass established on Batavia silt loam soil at the O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research and Education Facility near Verona, Wisconsin. The bentgrass on the experimental site is being maintained under fairway conditions. Mowing is carried out at a 1/2 inch height three times per week, and the clippings are removed. The turf is irrigated to prevent moisture stress. Snow mold fungicides are applied on a preventative basis. Other fungicides are used on a curative basis. Two Daconil applications for dollar spot were required in 1996. A number of fertilizers ranging from purely synthetic to purely organic Nitrogen(N) products were used. The standardization N rate is 3.0 lbs/M (1000 square feet of surface area) split into monthly application of 0.5 lb N/M. The first application was made June 15, 1996 and the total N applied for the year was 2.5 lbs/M. In mid-August the plots became heavily infested with dollar spot. Visual estimates were made of the percentage of each plot covered by dollar spot. NATURAL SCIENCE 12-0-0 and an organic based experimental fertilizer 16-2-8 had the lowest levels of infection, 16.8% and 19.2% respectively, compared to a 4-5-3 composted poultry manure fertilizer at 34.0% and 21-3-12 Milorganite + ammonium phosphate urea + Nutralene fertilizer at 28% affected area. Thatch thickness measurements were approximately 10-11 mm for all fertilizers. NATURAL SCIENCE showed large gains in activity in July. However, microbial activity between August 11 and September 17 were reduced, perhaps due to the application of Daconil 2787 to counter dollar spot. Root mass was measured in October for five 3/4 inch diameter by 6-inch long soil cores randomly removed from the plot. NATURAL SCIENCE had a root mass of 213 mg and was above the mean of 189 mg. The soil on the experimental site is high in phosphorus and potassium and has the sufficiency level of 0.35% and 1.75% respectively. NATURAL SCIENCE 12-0-0 provided above average bentgrass color rating and out- performed all but one other commercially available fertilizer. NATURAL SCIENCE averaged 7.83 color rating with 1=brown, 7=minimally acceptable and 9=excessively dark green. None of the fertilizers induced extraordinarily large variation in bentgrass color, most likely because all have substantial quantities of slow-release Nitrogen. NATURAL SCIENCE concentrations in clippings average 3.69% and was above the mean of 3.63%.

 

greg@knight-chemicals.com