Kvalbein - Optimal plant nutrition for green grass

OPTIMAL PLANT NUTRITION - FROM THE GREEN GRASS’ POINT OF VIEW

Agnar Kvalbein, researcher / consultant

ETS Field Day, Denmark

7th October 2015

1. THE OPTIMAL MIX OF NUTRIENTS

THE ROOT ZONE IN A GOLF GREEN IS MORE LIKE THE ARTIFICIAL

GROWTH MEDIA IN A GREENHOUSE THAN A NATURAL SOIL

16.10.2015 3 A.Kvalbein: Fertilization of greens

We know exactly which nutrients plants need from: • numerous experiments

(Ingestad et al.) • experiences from plant

production in greenhouses

• analyses of plant tissue

It is waste of resources to improve the fertility of the sand. Better to apply all the nutrients that the turf grass needs by spoon-feeding

Relative rates of nutrients in an optimal fertilizer(A),

and rates for diagnosis of nutirent deficciancy from leaf tissue (B)

Source: STERF web: Ericsson et al: Precision fertilisation – from theory to practice. See also: • MAGNUS F. KNECHT and ANDERS GÖRANSSON (2004) Terrestrial plants require

nutrients in similar proportions, Tree Physiology 24, 447-460

16.10.2015 A.Kvalbein: Fertilization of greens 4


Ericsson, T., & Ingestad, T. (1988). Nutrition and growth of birch seedlings at varied relative phosphorus addition rates. Physiologia Plantarum, 72, 227-235. Ericsson, T., & Kähr, M. (1993). Growth and nutrition of birch seedlings in relation to potassium supply rate. Trees, 7, 78-85. Ericsson, T., & Kähr, M. (1995). Growth and nutrition of birch seedlings at varied relative addition rates of magnesium. Tree Physiology, 15, 85-93. Ericsson, T., Rytter, L., & Vapaavuori, E. (1996). Physiology of carbon allocation in trees. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2, 115-127.

Göransson, A. (1993). Growth and nutrition of small Betula pendula plants at different relative addition rates of iron. Trees, 8, 32-38. Göransson, A. (1994). Growth and nutrition of small Betula pendula plants at different relative addition rates of manganese. Tree Physiology, 14, 375-388. Göransson, A. (1998). Steady state nutrition and growth responses of Betula pendula to different relative supply rates of cupper. Plant Cell and Environment, 21, 937-943. Göransson, A. (1999). Growth and nutrition of Betula pendula at different relative supply of zink. Tree Physiology, 19, 111-116

Some relevant references:

COMMENTS TO THE «IDEAL» FERTILIZER


All numbers are related to the N level.

N is the minimum factor in this recipe and will

control the growth rate

The need for Ca is low. Most plants contain much

more than this. (“Luxury uptake” that cause

problems for plants with perennial leaves, like

Rhododendron)

Uptake of Mn (and Zn) is negatively related to soil pH, and

extra applications should be considered when pH is extreme.

Thompson, K et al. 1997: A comparative study of leaf nutrient concentrations in a regional herbaceous flora. New Phytol. 136, 679 – 689

SOME NUTRIENTS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN OTHERS

“The quantity and balance of fertilizers used on turf should be manipulated to obtain the most desirable playing surface. Any essential plant nutrient may control growth and development, but nitrogen is the most important…..”

Adams, W.A., P.J.Bryan, G.E.Walker (1974): Effects of cutting height and nitrogen nutrition on growth pattern of turfgrasses. Book: Proceedings of the Second International Turgrass Research Conference p 131 - 144


You may find some texts and illustrations that give another message.

NUTRIENTS CAN BE GROUPED


Reference:

Tom Ericsson (1995): Growth and shoot: root ratio of seedlings in relation to nutrient availability.

Plant and Soil, Volume 16, Issue 1, pp 205-214

N, P (and theoretically S) can be used to control plant growth. If P:N < 7:100, P will be the

minimum factor.

K, Mg, Fe and Mn are directly involved in photosynthesis, and

deficiency will lead to energy depletion and

reduced stress tolerance.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE 1

Be sure that K, Mg, Fe or Mn never is the «minimum factor» in your fertilization program.

The «ideal fertilizer» should be applied (all through the season) unless you have strong arguments for deviating from this recipe.


2. GRASS SPECIES AND THEIR GROWTH POTENTIAL

PLANT GROWTH AND NITROGEN STATUS


Growth

N concentration in leaves

Luxury uptake

poisoning

GRASS GROWTH CAPACITY AND NITROGEN STATUS


Growth

N concentration in leaves 1 2 3 4 5 6

Max

Max

Ranking of the growth capacity of some common green-grasses

Art/sort Rankning

Poa annua 1.12*

Agrostis stolonifera ’Independence’ 1

Agrostis capillaris ’Barking’ 0.72

Agrostis canina ’Legendary’ 0.71

Festuca rubra ssp. commutata ’Center’ 0.55

Festuca rubra ssp. trichphylla ’Cezanne’ 0.33

* Plants transplanted from green. The other species were established from seed.


Source: STERF web: Ericsson et al: Precision fertilisation – from theory to practice.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE 2

Find the fertilizer level that is adaped to the grass species that you grow.


3. PLANT STRESS AND FERTILIZATION RATES

LOW MOWING REDUCES THE GRASS’ GROWTH CAPACITY.


Growth

N concentration in leaves 1 2 3 4 5 6

Under optimal conditions, the uncut grass plant will be growth limited if the N content is 3.2% of the leaf dry matter.

Low cut reduces the growt capacity of the grass, and the low rate of N will not be experienced by the plant as the limiting factor.

Optimal N-level for green grass: 3-3.5 % of dry matter in the leaves

N-LIMITED GROWTH TO THE LEFT. N FOR MAX GROWTH TO THE RIGHT


When the grass is cut low, there are no signs of N deficit because cutting reduces the plants’ growth capacity and

hence the need for N

LEAVES

ROOTS

N concentration

The root:shoot (R:S) growth is related to the N-status in the plant cells

Growth


CARBON ALLOCATION AND N-RATES

Nitrogen

Relative root

growth

Content of

carbohydrates

Favourable conditions for growth

Unfavourable growth conditions

•Reduced leaf area •Low cutting •Leaf disease •Wear /damage

•Shade

•Too low temperature •Too high temperature



Sugar

CO2

H2O

Greenkeepers are «carbohydrate managers». Plant stress can be defined as energy depletion. Sugar from photosynthesis is the only energy source for the plants


Sugar

CO2

Sugar is used for all processes in the plants (flowering and seed production are not mentioned here). 1-4 in order of priority

1. Uptake and transport of nutrients and metabolites

2. Defence 3. Symbiosis 4. Root exudates

Respiration

H2O


Sugar

CO2

Respiration



Strongly related to N-level

Function of temperature

Dry matter production and root/shoot ratio

Growth and respiration are related to environmental factors. Greenkeepers can to some extent control the N-flow.

H2O


Sugar CO2

Respiration



Reduce N-level

Function of temperature

Shade

• Wind • Diffusion

from soil

• Low cut • Wear

• Drought • Dry spots • Shallow roots

• Compaction • Diseases • Oxygen depletion

Factors that reduce/influence on the plant’s growth capacity:

By controlling (reducing) the N-rate, the greenkeeper can avoid plant stress caused by unfavourable growth conditions and keep the plants alive

H2O

Finding the optimal ferilization rate is a delicate and difficult balance

Need for growth to compensate for wear & damage

Risk of energy shortage

N

TAKE HOME MESSAGE 3

Nitrogen is a strong tool for controlling growth.

It is dangerous to increase the fertilizer rate when the growth conditions are bad.

The weekly N-rates should be adapted the growth conditions. The most predictable are:

– light

– temperature

– mowing height


AGNAR KVALBEIN

[email protected]

Phone: +47 40402089


Kvalbein - Optimal plant nutrition for green grass

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