Golf Environment Organization

Nutrient loss after fertilization of turf areas can negatively impact surface and groundwater quality. 

Successful nutrient management provides sufficient nutrients to achieve the required health and quality of turf while minimizing environmental risk from off-site movement. A nutrient management plan containing four key components should be developed for each area of the golf course. These components are: utilizing appropriate nutrient sources; applying reasonable rates; appropriate placement; and Optimal timing. 

Key issues to address include:

Sources

It is a priority to understand the physical and chemical characteristics of nutrient sources and their behaviour. Applications should be managed to prevent potential losses due to volatilization, runoff and leaching. Calculated irrigation management is crucial to preventing losses.

Care should also be taken to use fertilizer that is packaged so as to minimize the disposal of solid waste from bagged sources.

Amounts

An appropriate application rate will balance growing an excessive amount of leaf tissue with growing a turf that is thin, weak and spindly due to inadequate nutrient availability. Maintaining a proper ratio of nutrients that the turf can use within the soil or applying small amounts more often (spoon feeding or micro-dosing) using foliar applications.

Nutrient Testing

Plant tissue testing is used to confirm a suspected nutrient element deficiency when visual symptoms are present and to monitor the plant nutrient element status in order to determine whether each tested nutrient is in sufficient concentration for optimum performance. Soil testing comprises both chemical and physical analysis. Chemical analysis is used to determine pH and lime requirement; to determine phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium requirements; to identify potential micronutrient (manganese, zinc, copper and iron) deficiencies and toxicity problems; and to identify salt and sodium problems. Physical analysis determines organic matter content, texture, particle size distribution, bulk density, and water holding capacity.

Placement

Pre-plant applications of lime for pH adjustment should be made if necessary. Phosphorus and potassium can also ensure good root growth if soil test levels indicate a deficiency. Broadcast applications for on-going fertilization as part of the normal cultural program are made based on soil test results and turf performance. Method of application could include using liquid or granular materials.

Timing

Maximizing use efficiency by the turfgrasses to minimize loss. Making certain all other limiting factors for growth are considered such as light, temperature and moisture availability.Timing the first and last application of the growing season to manage for optimal performance and preconditioning the turf for survivability.

Water Quality Protection

Before undertaking any fertilisation, soil tests - and potentially plant tissue tests - are a necessity. Applications should also be carefully timed to maximise uptake based on climatic conditions. Any phosphorus applications should be avoided unless the soil test level indicates a deficiency. Coring and / or aerifying compacted soil helps to reduce runoff, as well as aiding phosphorous and lime incorporation.

When fertilising on slopes, sandy soils or near shallow water tables, applications should be kept to a minimum. if using quickly-available sources of nitrogen, no more than 1.25 to 2.5 g/m2 of nitrogen should be used in a single application. When fertilising on sandy soils that are subject to leaching concerns, slowly available sources of nitrogen should be used.

A fertiliser free buffer zone of low maintenance grasses should always be maintained around bodies of water. A drop spreader should always be used in such areas to prevent fertiliser from being thrown into streams or ponds. Where possible, grass clippings should be recycled to reduce the amount of fertilizer needed to produce healthy turf. 

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