FERTILITY

By John C . Fech and Brad Jakubowski

We all know that fertilizer is needed to establish and maintain high-quality sports fields . What may be in question are some of the specifics , such as which nutrients are needed , how much to apply , and when to apply them . These considerations are especially important in 2022 , with shortages being experienced and prices on the rise .

Soil test

Don ’ t guess … soil test ! We ’ ve seen this phrase on bumper stickers , calendars and signs on a trade show floor – and for good reason . If you don ’ t know what ’ s in the soil in which your turf roots are growing , how can you figure out what should be added to produce healthy turf ?

Take a first look , then drill down . When reading a soil test report , look first at a handful of parameters : pH – pH influences the availability of essential nutrients , so if it ’ s out of the desired range , deficiencies are likely .

Phosphorous – Essential for root growth and establishment of new turf .

Potassium – Enhances overall stress tolerance .

Cation Exchange Capacity – Indicates the relative capacity of the soil to absorb and release nutrients .

Iron – The most common micronutrient to be in short supply and produces a light-colored , stunted plant .

If all the above are in good shape , then drill down for other readings that may be problematic .

Seasonal applications

Timing is important when fertilizing sports fields , and much of the emphasis should be placed on the field ’ s ability to absorb nutrients efficiently without adverse effects . It ’ s incumbent on the sports field

Figure 1

12 SportsField Management | January 2022 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com