ILCA September 12, 2014

Joe Ernst, E C Grow Director of Professional Products

Fertilizers for DummiesHey, what’s in the Bag?

What Do you See?

Hung up By the Numbers?

Maybe You See Green Grass?

How’s it made?

Slinging Sh….t

Like Making A Cake

Not Just a little Cake

Making Big Cakes

Mixers

No Recipe Books

Automated Production

Many Raw Materials Available

• Nitrogens: Green Grass>>>>Up• Phosphorous: Roots>>>>Down• Potassium: Vitamin>>>>All Around• Fillers: No nutritional benefit• Spray-Ons, Bio-stimulants, Humates,

What do you want to Accomplish?????

Factors In Determining Analysis Results industry. Job is to provide green, healthy grass. Green

Grass---No Weeds, PGA-TV turf.• Determine annual NPK requirements; Phosphorous or not.• Determine number of applications, when applying. Product used in

April may not be the product of choice if applied in May.• Determine NPK requirements per application• Determine pre emerge, if needed & at what rates.• Determine insecticide timing• Look at product options that fit your needs, what are you trying to

accomplish? Don’t price shop, let your salesman meet your needs, within your budget, with a product that works for you. The price you pay for fertilizer is not the deciding factor to your company’s success.

• Weather conditions should determine product, not the calendar.

Size Guide Number (SGN)• Definition: A measure of the average particle size

of materials in a given lot.

• Description: The relationship is: SGN = (Median particle diameter, mm) x 100

• For example, in a granular fertilizer with an SGN of 220, the median particle diameter would be 220/100 = 2.2 millimeters. Half the weight of the fertilizer batch would have particle diameter greater than 2.2 millimeters, and half would have diameter smaller than 2.2 millimeters.

Uniformity Index (UI)• 90-100

• 150• 220

Let’s Get Started.

Choosing a Nitrogen Source

Nitrogen (N)Nitrogen (N)First number of the analysis.The most important element in a successful

fertilization program.Nitrogen is the element to which turf is the most

responsive.Nitrogen is the most important element in the

soil system as it’s concentration is constantly changing, usually decreasing.

Thus, Nitrogen must be routinely added to maintain a sufficient level of growth.

First number of the analysis.The most important element in a successful

fertilization program.Nitrogen is the element to which turf is the most

responsive.Nitrogen is the most important element in the

soil system as it’s concentration is constantly changing, usually decreasing.

Thus, Nitrogen must be routinely added to maintain a sufficient level of growth.

Nitrogen Sources, What are They? How They Used? What They Do.

• Urea• Ammonium Sulfate• Polymer Coated Sulfur Coated Urea (PCSCU)• Urea Reaction Nitrogen

• Ureaform (UF)-Nitroform• Methylene Urea (MU)-Nutralene

• Polymer Coated Urea• XRT• PCU -Duration

• Stabilized Nitrogen• Uflexx• Umaxx

• Organic Nitrogen• Milorganite

• Enhanced Nitrogens• Nutrisphere• Regain• NZone

Keeping It Green• Nitrogen products that can keep the grass

green for 2 weeks, others for up to 6 months.

• Longer the length of green, the more the product costs; BUT, BUT, BUT, BUT, the fewer applications needed.

• Thus possibly reducing your fertility applications, it can free up more time for other more profitable services.

Considerations

• Frequency of applications• Soil requirements• Turf Species• Weather/timing• What Do You want to Accomplish?

Application Rates

• Figuring # of material / 1000 sq ft so you can determine number of bags needed.

• # of material /acre• # Nitrogen /1000 sq ft• Coverage per 50# bag

Example 20-0-5 25% PCSCU

• To apply 1# Nitrogen/M– 5# of product 1 divided by .20– 220#/acre……5 X 43.56

--10,000 sq ft coverage……50# divided by 5

To apply .75# Nitrogen/M.75# divided by .20 = 3.75#/M165#/acre13,300 coverage/bag

Fast Release Fertilizer

• Nutrients move through soil too fast and can’t be taken up by the roots.

Urea

46-0-0

Fast Release

Ammonium Sulfate

• 21-0-0

• 24% Sulfur

• Fast Release

Soluble N Sources

• Urea• Ammonium Sulfate

Strengths• Cost• Quick response

Soluble N Sources

Weaknesses• Volatility and leaching• Longevity• Flush of growth• Inefficient• Burn potential, High salt index.

Slow Release Fertilizer

• Fertilizer stays in root zone, long enough for plant to take up

Polymer Coated Sulfur Coated Urea (PCSCU-XCU)

Manufacturing Process• Pre-heated Urea granules are sprayed with

Molten Sulfur.• Polymer sealant applied to fill holes in

coating to prevent premature release of nitrogen.

• Durable coating resists breakage• Final result is a 43% nitrogen product.

Release Mechanism• Two Release Methods

1. Holes in polymer coating.

2. Microbial Oxidation of sulfur coat.

6-8 Week Performance

Polymer Coated Sulfur Coated Urea (PCSCU-XCU)

PCSCU-XCU Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths• Low Cost• Up to Two Month Performance• Contains Sulfur for Sulfur Deficient Soils

Weaknesses• High Upfront Release (Turf Burn)• Release is Un-Predictable• Coating is Susceptible to Damage

(Nitrogen Loss)

PCSCU-XCU Markets

Professional Lawn CareGolf CourseLandscaping/OrnamentalSports TurfSod ProductionRetail

Urea Reaction Nitrogen

Manufacturing• Ureaform (UF)-Nitroform 38-0-0• 4.5% Urea, 6.9% SAWSN, 26.6% WIN

• Methylene Urea (MU)-Nutralene 40-0-0• 5.0% Urea, 20.5% SAWSN, 14.5% WIN

– URN’s are made by chemically reacting Urea with an Aldehyde.

Release Mechanism• Release is determined by Soil Microbes

and the Length of Polymers of the INSOLUBLE forms of Nitrogen,(WIN) and Hydrolysis (Moisture).–UF typically has a Longer Polymer

Chain and will last longer than MU.–UF lasts 14 Weeks to 1 Year. –MU normally lasts 10-16 weeks.

Urea Reaction Nitrogen

URN Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths• Both have Low Burn Potential (Low

Salt Index)• Mid to long term release=less

applications per year• Small Particle Size

– Soil ph- Flourishing Microbes=Neutral ph (7.0)

– Relatively Costly

Weaknesses• Because Microbial Conversion is

Required Factors that Affect Microbe Activity also Affect Nitrogen Release.– Soil Temperature-Warm Temps=High

Populations– Soil Moisture-High Moisture=High Active

Microbes– Soil Organic Matter-Carbon Rich

O/M=Quick Conversion

URN Strengths & Weaknesses

URN Markets• Golf Courses

– Greens– Tees– Fairways

• Nursery– Container Stock– Field Stock– Tree and Shrub Fertilization– Greenhouse

• Sports Turf• Landscaping

– Established Turf and Groundcovers

Manufacturing• Heated Urea is placed into a Reactor.• An over-the-top, continuous layer of Polymer is

applied to each individual granule.• A “Protective Coating” is applied inside the

Reactor.• The finished product is cooled and placed into storage. • 41-0-0, 43-0-0. 44-0-0• PCU can Last from 2 - 6 Months, depending on

the coating thickness.

Polymer Coated Urea (Duration & XRT)

Release Mechanism• Soil moisture passes thru the polymer membrane (diffusion)

and dissolves the urea inside.• Liquid urea solution encapsulated by the

membrane passes thru the membrane as soil temperature heats the soil.

• Nitrogen is “metered” out to the turf based on the demand of the turf and Soil Temperature.

Polymer Coated Urea (PCU - Duration)

Effect of Moisture

Soil moisture required Initiates the release Saturation process Rainfall/Irrigation

needed

PCU Strengths & WeaknessesPCU Strengths & WeaknessesStrengths• Minimal growth flushes• Soil Temperature is only environmental factor

that determines release.• Low Burn Potential at High Rates.Weaknesses• Relatively costly• High nitrogen rates dissuade usage on Golf

Courses (high salt index) and makes it too costly for Lawn Care Companies.

• Subject to mower and traffic damage

Manufacturing

UMAXX 46-0-0

UFLEXX 46-0-0• A liquid mixture of urea (ammonia + carbon

dioxide) is modified by adding a “urease inhibitor” and a “nitrification inhibitor”.

• Then dried and granulated to a 46-0-0.• UMAXX contains twice the amount of

“nitrification inhibitor” than UFLEXX.

Stabilized Nitrogen™

Release Mechanism• Urea reacts with moisture (hydrolysis) and the urease enzyme.• Urease converts the urea to Ammonia gas (NH3) and

Carbon Dioxide (CO2). As much as 30% of the applied nitrogen can be lost in a 72 hour period.

• As urea moves into the soil thru irrigation, it is converted by microbes that oxidize the Ammonium (NH4+) form of nitrogen, first to Nitrite (NO2-), then Nitrates (NO3-). This process is called NITRIFICATION.

• Plants utilize nitrogen in the stable ammonium form, as well as the unstable nitrate form.

Stabilized Nitrogen™

UMAXX and UFLEXX

Improves Nitrogen Efficiency by:• Reducing Volatilization up to 14 days• Retarding the Nitrification process for

6-8 weeks (UFLEXX) and 12-16 weeks (UMAXX)

Stabilized Nitrogen™

UMAXX and UFLEXX Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths• Versatile nitrogen source used in granular

blends or as a soluble source for liquid applications with same results

• Reduced nitrogen loss from volatilization, leaching and de-nitrification

• 100% released nitrogen versus other slow or controlled release nitrogen's

• Less Tip-Burn potential

UMAXX and UFLEXX Strengths and Weaknesses

Weaknesses• Conditioners need to be used in

blends during periods of high humidity. Very Hydroscopic.

• Needs irrigation when applied to low-cut turf.

• Limited Shelf Life For Combinations Products – Control Products

UMAXX and UFLEXX Markets

UMAXX• Golf Courses• Retail• Landscape• Nursery

UFLEXX• Lawn Care• Golf Courses• Sports Turf• Hydro seeding• Sod Production• Retail• Landscape

Milorganite. 6-2-0-4 (Fe)• High Iron For Deep Green• Adds Organic Matter• Non Burning• Great In Drought Conditions• Slow Release, Long Feeding, 5.25% WIN• Aid In Root Development• Environmentally Friendly – Resists Leaching• Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer; No heavy metals• Product of Milwaukee, WI

Milorganite Strengths and WeaknessesMilorganite Strengths and WeaknessesStrengths• Non-Burning• Works well in sandy soils due to high organic

matter (75%). Less leaching.• Gradual feeding = no flush growth = less mowing.Weaknesses• Low nutrient value means excessive usage per

acre.• Highly odoriferous.• Expensive compared to like slow release nitrogen

on a cost per acre basis.

Strengths• Non-Burning• Works well in sandy soils due to high organic

matter (75%). Less leaching.• Gradual feeding = no flush growth = less mowing.Weaknesses• Low nutrient value means excessive usage per

acre.• Highly odoriferous.• Expensive compared to like slow release nitrogen

on a cost per acre basis.

Phosphorus• Diammonium Phosphate –

DAP 18-46-0• Monoammonium Phosphate

- MAP 11-52-0

Potash or Potassium

Muriate of Potash

0-0-60

Potash or Potassium

Sulfate of Potash

0-0-50 17% Sulfur

Micro Nutrients• Iron (Fe)

– Integral Part In Chlorophyll Production– Gives Turf A Dark Green Color

• Sulfur– Important For Making Amino Acids– Gives Turf A Dark Green Color

Fillers

• Most part, no nutritional benefit• In the “flour in the cake” fills up the bag• Want as little filler as possible to get the

bang for your buck. IE, 10-10-10 has approx. 1000# of filler.

Homogenous vs. Blend• Scott’s Promotes Its “All In One

Granule”• Facts – Homogenous vs. Blend

– Nutrients Must Go Into Solution For The Roots To Take Them Up

– University Trials Show No Difference In Results

– Scotts Sell Blended Fertilizers in its “No Phosphorus” Products

– Scotts Lawn Care Uses Blends for Their Applications

Enhanced Nitrogens• Alternative sources of nitrogen• Inexpensive• Stable pricing, resin costs rarely changes.• Weakness:• Not identified by AFCO• Neither a Slow release or stabilized

nitrogen.• Regulatory issues

RISE

• Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment.

• Vision Statement: Industry Free to Create Inspiring & Healthy Places Where We Live, Work & Play.

• Pre-emption in some Counties

Fertilizers for DummiesSummary

Considerations

• Frequency of applications• Soil requirements• Turf Species• Weather/timing• What Do You want to Accomplish?

Application Rates

• Figuring # of material / 1000 sq ft so you can determine number of bags needed.

• # of material /acre• # Nitrogen /1000 sq ft• Coverage per 50# bag

Spreading TechniquesDrop Spreader

Broadcast Spreader

Application Errors

Always Hidden Obstacles

No Need to Panic

Like Most Things, We’ll All Find a Way!

The End

Questions, Ideas, Or Concerns?