2007 Research Proposal I - Nitrogen and Phosphorus Leaching from a Mature Turfgrass
Project Objectives
The ongoing research will identify nitrogen and phosphorus fate in a mature turfgrass system and will provide further data on whether or not fertilizer recommendations for “mature” turfgrass stands need to be altered after a certain period of time to eliminate the potential for excessive nitrate-nitrogen leaching and possible phosphorus leaching.
Project Description
Research conducted since 1998 investigated the amount of nitrate leaching from two nitrogen rates, 2 and 5 lbs. N/1000 ft.2/year. NO3-N concentrations in leachate for the low N rate were typically below 5 ppm. For the high N rate, NO3-N concentrations in leachate were typically greater than 20 ppm. Our research indicates that total yearly applications of 5 lbs. N/1000 ft.2 in the form of urea to a mature Kentucky bluegrass stand may result in high levels of NO3-N leaching from the soil profile.
This research is an ongoing project that has been funded through 2007 by the USGA at approximately $13,000/year. In 2007, nitrogen and phosphorus fate will be measured in the lysimeters and the adjacent microplots. The high nitrogen rate was adjusted from 5 lbs. N to 4 lbs. N/1000 ft.2/year in 2004. The low nitrogen rate remains at 2 lbs. N/1000 ft.2/year. Phosphorus from triple superphosphate (20% P) will be applied at two rates, 1 and 2 lbs. P/1000 ft.2/year split over two applications in May and September. Results from 2003 indicated that the high N rate still resulted in very high levels of NO3-N leaching. Results through mid-year 2006 now indicate that the amount of NO3-N leaching from the high N rate plots has decreased from approximately 30-40 ppm to approximately 10-20 ppm NO3-N. This result stresses the importance of investing in long-term research projects.
Deliverables
- Publication of research results in Crop Science.
Frank, K.W., K. O’Reilly, J.R. Crum, and R.N. Calhoun. 2006. The fate of nitrogen applied to a mature Kentucky bluegrass turf. Crop Sci. 46:209-215. - Presented results at American Chemical Society Symposium in Washington, D.C., August 2005.
- Submitted book chapter for review: Frank, K.W. 2006. Nutrient fate in a mature turfgrass stand. In A.M. Petrovic, B. Horgan, M. Carroll, and M. Nett (ed.) The fate of turfgrass nutrients and plant protection chemicals in the urban environment. ACS Books/Oxford University Press.
- Presented results at Tri-Society Annual Meetings in Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 2005.
2007 Research Proposal II - Developing Phosphorus Recommendations for Turfgrass
Project Objectives
This research will investigate the effects of phosphorus fertilization programs on turfgrass performance, and monitor soil and plant tissue nutrient levels to determine the impact of the programs.
Project Description
Phosphorus use in turfgrass continues to come under scrutiny and legislation restricting use is still under consideration. Professional turf applicators have reduced or eliminated phosphorus from their fertilization programs based on the assumption that soil phosphorus levels are supplying adequate amounts of phosphorus to the turf. Expected outcomes are definitive phosphorus recommendations for turfgrass in Michigan.
The nitrogen treatments are 2, 3.2, and 4.25 lbs. N/1000 ft.2/yr. The low, medium, and high nitrogen treatments will be applied over 2, 4, and 6 applications, respectively. Nitrogen will be applied using a formulation containing slow and fast release nitrogen sources that are representative of typical home lawn fertilizers. The phosphorus treatments are 0, 0.5, and 1.0 lbs. P2O5/1000 ft.2/yr. Phosphorus will be applied using mono potassium phosphate. Phosphorus will be applied according to the application schedule for the nitrogen treatments. For example, the low nitrogen treatment will be applied over two applications and all phosphorus applications whether zero, medium, or high that are applied with the low nitrogen treatment will be applied over two applications.
In 2004, a low phosphorus soil was sodded with Kentucky bluegrass and fertilizer treatments were initiated. For 2005-2006, data collection will include weekly visual color rating ,chlorophyll index rating using Spectrum Technologies Chlorophyll Meter CM-1000, bi-weekly quality rating, bi-weekly clipping yield and tissue analysis (leaf NPK content), monthly soil sampling and analysis, disease and weed incidence as necessary. Due to the reduction in funding following 2006, the intensity of data collection in 2007 will be reduced. Turfgrass color and quality ratings will be taken every two weeks, clippings and soil samples will be collected three times per year (spring, summer, autumn).
The irrigation x fertility x turfgrass species research project initiated in 2005 will continue in 2007. Irrigation treatments include: no irrigation, irrigation weekly, and irrigation every other day. Fertility treatments are synonymous with the above described P trial, however the soils on this site test high for soil phosphorus level. Turfgrass species/mix are: tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and a three way lawn mix containing Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, and perennial ryegrass. This trial will add to our knowledge for making fertilizer BMPs with respect to phosphorus.
2007 Research Proposal III - Winterkill Research
Project Objectives
- Determine effective reestablishment techniques for putting greens following simulated winterkill injury.
- Determine optimal fertilization strategies for turfgrass in the autumn.
- Determine the effectiveness of different core aerification timings.
- Determine the effect of ice encasement on turfgrass species/cultivar survival.
Project Description
Winterkill is a general term that is used to define turf loss during the winter. Winterkill can be caused by a combination of factors including crown hydration, desiccation, low temperature kill, ice sheets, and snow mold. Due to the unpredictability of environmental factors, and differences in other factors such as surface drainage, the occurrence of winterkill on golf courses is variable and can vary greatly between golf courses and even across the same golf course.
1. Reestablishment Techniques (Funded by Project GREEEN 2006-2007)
Research will be conducted at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center on the campus of Michigan State University. A creeping bentgrass putting green was sprayed with RoundUp in 2006 to simulate winterkill, this will be repeated in late 2006 for the 2007 research trial.
The experimental design will be a 3 cultivar/species x 2 nutritional program x 2 cover factorial with three replications. As soon as weather conditions permit in the spring the damaged green will be seeded with two creeping bentgrass cultivars and annual bluegrass. The creeping bentgrass cultivars A4 and Providence will be seeded into the damaged putting green. Prior to seeding a job saver attachment on an aerator will be used to create a small depression in the green where the seed can germinate. Annual bluegrass seedheads will be collected from an adjacent putting green by collecting clippings following mowing. The clippings will then be spread onto the plots to facilitate germination. Immediately following seeding and application of the annual bluegrass clippings/seedhead mix, a light sand topdressing will be applied to all plots.
A starter fertilizer (19-26-5) will be applied at 0.5 lb. N/1000 ft.2 at seeding. Starting at two weeks after seeding there will be two fertilizer treatments:
1. Granular fertilizer applied at 0.3 lb. N/1000 ft.2/every three weeks.
2. Liquid fertilizer applied weekly at 0.1 lb. N/1000 ft.2
The third factor that will be investigated is the use of a protective plastic cover. The presence or absence of a simple transparent plastic cover will be assessed. The cover will be placed on the plots immediately after seeding. The protective covers will be put on the plots every night when temperatures are expected to be below 50 ºF.
2. Autumn Fertilization Programs
A late autumn fertilization was once the basis for a sound fertilization program but concerns over snow mold incidence, crown hydration injury, and low temperature kill have now resulted in many superintendents avoiding a late autumn fertilization. This trial will investigate different nitrogen sources and timings to determine turfgrass response both this autumn and next spring. Treatments are being applied to creeping bentgrass maintained at putting green and fairway height. The nitrogen source treatments are: Milorganite, polymer sulfur coated urea, methylene urea, urea, and an untreated control. The application dates for the nitrogen treatments are Sept., Oct., and Nov. All treatments will be applied at 1 lb. N/1000 ft.2. I am currently pursuing industry fertilizer companies to provide financial support for this trial. This trial was conducted in 2005-2006 and will be repeated in 2006-2007.
3. Autumn Core Aerification Timing Trial
Core aerification timing in the autumn is a constant source of debate in Michigan as superintendents struggle to conduct this essential management practice at a time when autumn golf will be minimally disturbed. Some superintendents core aerify as early as the second week of August with the goal that the greens will recover quickly and prime putting green conditions will be restored by the Labor Day weekend. Other superintendents core cultivate late in September to maximize the length of time the putting greens are undisturbed during the peak autumn golf months. Recently due to the wide-spread incidence of crown hydration injury during the winter of 2005, some superintendents have inquired about the legitimacy of core cultivating late in the autumn to facilitate drainage during winter/spring snow melts that often result in standing water on putting greens refreezing and causing crown hydration injury.
This trial is investigating core aerification timing and nitrogen source. Core aerification will be conducted on 3 different dates in the autumn and two different nitrogen sources, urea and methylene urea, will be applied at 1 lb. N/1000 ft.2. Turfgrass recovery will be assessed this autumn and next spring. This trial was conducted in 2005-2006 and will be repeated in 2006-2007.
4. Ice Encasement Research
The original research to investigate turfgrass species tolerance to ice encasement/cover was conducted by Beard (1964). Beard investigated the effect of ice, snow, and water covers on Kentucky bluegrass, annual bluegrass, and creeping bentgrass. Specifically Beard tested these effects on common Kentucky bluegrass, and Toronto creeping bentgrass. More recently Tompkins et al. (2004) investigated the effects of ice cover on annual bluegrass and Penncross creeping bentgrass. There has been speculation that the new creeping bentgrass cultivars such as the A and G series bentgrasses have superior ice encasement tolerance to older bentgrasses and of course annual bluegrass.
This research would build upon the research of Beard, and others, to provide updated information on specific turfgrass cultivars tolerance to periods of ice encasement/cover. The research would be conducted in controlled laboratory conditions to simulate duration of ice coverage experienced in the field. Further experimental methods will be provided if the pre-proposal is selected for full proposal submission.
2007 Research Proposal IV - Extension Project Support
Project Objectives and Description
My appointment at MSU is 70% extension and as the turfgrass extension specialist within the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences I received $2,000 in support funds to conduct extension programming. The amount of funds provided for support is inadequate to cover expenses associated with my extension program.
Along with site visits to golf courses, athletic fields, and landscape properties, I will continue to try and attend as many regional turfgrass association meetings in 2007 as my schedule allows. I feel it is crucial that I attend regional turfgrass association meetings to represent the turfgrass team at MSU and to facilitate meeting the industry clientele in Michigan. The minimum total number of regional meetings and extension visits I anticipate in 2007 is 50.
Archived Proposals
2005 The Fate of Nitrogen to a Mature Kentucky Bluegrass Turf
2006 Nitrogen and Phosphorus Leaching from a Mature Turfgrass