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Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries

Fertilizer Module 4

January 26, 2010

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Welcome

This presentation is intended to enhance the professional knowledge and judgment of green industry professionals.

The information presented here should be used as general and educational guidance, but specific situations may require more restrictive measures to protect sites that are at particularly high risk for adverse effects on surface and ground water.

Throughout this presentation, watch for this symbol: as it identifies a best management practice to protect water quality from nutrients and pesticides.

BMP

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At the end of this module you will be able to:

• Define fertilizer and terms associated with fertilizers.

• Describe the components of a Fertilizer Management Plan

• Interpret and apply the information on a fertilizer label

• Implement practices to avoid runoff and leaching of fertilizers

• Calculate the amount of fertilizer to be applied according to the recommended rates

• Apply recommended rates

Training Objectives

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What are fertilizers?

Page 25

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Fertilizer Defined

Any substance that contains one or more recognized plant nutrients and promotes plant growth, or controls soil acidity or alkalinity, or provides other soil enrichment, or provides other corrective measures to the soil.

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Why Fertilize: Basic Principles1. Correct pest or other problems first2. Check soil pH 3. Modify sandy soil (amendments)4. Know needs of landscape plants5. Read all fertilizer label instructions6. Use minimum amount of fertilizer

for the job

Soil Test• Basis for determining a fertility

program

• pH as well as macro and micro nutrients

• Phosphorus testing is particularly important

• Do not soil test for No Very mobile

o Use IFAS recommended rates

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What areas should be avoided when sampling the area? See

Page 36

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Soil pH: Nutrient Availability

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Three Fertilizer Items to Know

1. Fertilizer Analysis

2. Label

3. Macro/Micro Nutrients

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(P2O5) Phosphorous(N) Total Nitrogen

1. Fertilizer Analysis

Is the fertilizer label, the law? See Page 25

15 - 0 - 15(K2O) Potassium

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2. Fertilizer Label: Guaranteed Analysis

Example: 14-0-26

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3. Macro/Micro Nutrients

Macronutrients:

• Nitrogen

• Phosphorus

• Potassium

• Calcium

• Magnesium

• Sulfur

From Environment:

• Carbon

• Hydrogen

• Oxygen

Micronutrients:

• Iron

• Manganese

• Boron

• Copper

• Molybdenum

• Zinc

• Nickel

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Why fertilize?

More information: page 33

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Why apply Nitrogen in Florida?

• Nitrogen is a structural part of all proteins, and many other compounds essential to life. A steady supply is needed for plant growth

• Many of Florida’s sandy soils are deficient in N.• Some N comes from air, water, and decaying organic matter • IFAS generally recommends 1 - 7 lb of N/1000 ft2 per year,

depending on species, location in state, climate, soils, stress, etc.

• Maintenance of perennial turf generally requires inputs of N as fertilizer at regular intervals. Established trees and shrubs may not need any.

• N may be a pollutant if assimilated in quantity in ground or surface water

More Information Page 29 and 34

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Nitrogen Management Plan

• Two primary forms of Nitrogen Sources• Rate and Frequency Timing and Season • Location in the State Soil Type• Turfgrass Species

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What is one of the first steps in developing a turfgrass fertilization Management plan? See Page 25

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Fertilization Timing

Do not fertilize when heavy rainfall is expected

(NWS tropical watch or warning or flood watch for the area)

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Sources of NWater Soluble and Insoluble

Water Soluble WSN

Water Insoluble WIN

NNN

NN

NN

N

N

N

N

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N-Release Mechanism

• Microbial• Hydrolysis (Moisture)• Temperature• Osmotic Diffusion

N

N- Release

M

E

C

H

A

N

I

S

M

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Fate of Nitrogen: Used by the PlantNitrogen stays within reach of root systems

Effective Root Zone

NN

NN

NN

N

N

N

NN

N N

N

D. Rainey

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Fate of Nitrogen: Volatilization

N

N

NN

N

NN

NNN

N

N

N N

D. Rainey

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Fate of Nitrogen: Leaching

N

NNN

N

N

NN

N

NN

N N

N

N

N

NN

N N

N

Ground Water – Aquifer

N

N

NN

N N

N

N N

N

NN

N

NN

N

What Happened?

N

NN

NN N

N

D. Rainey

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N

NN -N -

N N

NNN

NNN

N -N

Fate of Nitrogen: Runoff

N

N

N -

N

NN

N

D. Rainey 22

D. Rainey

Quick Release vs. Slow Release Sources

When quick release sources are properly applied, they do not

leach significantly more.

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Quick Release vs. Slow Release Sources

The potential for leaching due to misapplication or overwatering is greater with soluble sources.

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Quick Release vs. Slow Release Sources

The potential for leaching due to heavy rain soon after applying is greater with soluble sources

www.uni.edu/earth/jjg.html

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Quick Release vs. Slow Release Sources

The potential for runoff due to heavy rain several weeks after

application may be greater with slow release sources

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• Deliver the fertilizer to the target

• Check the delivery rate

• Check for appearance

• Avoid non-target surfaces

Application BMP

The rate of nutrient application for N depends on a number of factors. What are those factors? See page 29

A.J. Koski CSU

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Define Area of Application

Measure: Lawn area in Square Feet = Length X Width

40’25’

40’ x 25’ = 1,000 square feet of front lawn

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Application: Drop or RotaryUse the right kind of spreader and spreading techniques, or else…

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• Use a deflector shield near water

• Leave at least 3’ untreated buffer

• Without deflector shield leave 10’ ring

• Ordinances may vary, respect required fertilizer-free conservation easements and stormwater treatment buffers.

Ring of Responsibility BMP

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How Does a Deflector Shield Works?

D. Rainey

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Use Deflector Shield:Impervious Surfaces, Storm Drains, and Waterbodies

Stormwater Drain

AsphaltSidewalks

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Fertilizer Setback

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Why Buffer?

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Nitrogen Fertilizers

Quick Releasealso “water soluble” or “readily available”

Recommended Rate0.5 lb. (N) / 1,000ft2 / Application

More information: page 26

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Form: Water Soluble Nitrogen

•Quick Response is Desired•Establishment - “Green-In”•Renovation•Limited sustainability

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Water Soluble: Quick ReleaseType Soluble Leachable Salt Index VolatilizationAmmonium Sulfate 21%N

High High 3.25 High

Ammonium Nitrate 34% N

High High 2.99 High

Urea: 46% N High HighNonionic

1.62 High

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Nitrogen Fertilizers

Slow Releasealso “controlled release” (CR) or water insoluble (WIN)

Recommended Rate< 1 lb. (N)/1000ft2 / Application

More Information: Page 27-28

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Slow or Controlled-Release Fertilizers

A fertilizer containing a plant nutrient in a form which delays its availability for plant update and use after application, or which

extends availability to the plant significantly longer that a reference “quick-nitrogen release form”

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Form: Water Insoluble Nitrogen

Increases the delay of nitrogen release found in fertilizer sources:• Natural organic• Slow Release N sources

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Slow Release: WIN Polymers Type WIN% N-Release Description

Urea Formaldehyde38% N

65-71 Biological/Microbial

Rate influenced by soil temperatureLess effective in cool seasons.Maybe found in liquid forms

Methylene Urea 40% N

36 Biological/Microbial

Provides better performance in cool temps than UF. It is typically marketed as Nutralene.

Isobutylidene Diurea - IBDU31% N

90% Hydrolysis Fertilizer performs better than many others at low temps. Fastest in low pH and High Temps

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Slow Release: Coated Type N-Release Description

Sulfur Coated Urea 32-38% N

Coating Thickness Biological Soil Temp

Increasing thickness lowers the N content. The release rate quickens as coating thickness decreases and as temperature increases.

Polymer Coated Variable % N

Coating Thickness Soil TempOsmotic Diffusion Rate

Polymer coats provide a much more uniform release rate than sulfur coats. This technology provides good response in either warm or cool temps (faster release in warm temps). These are usually more expensive.

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~¼ InchOnly enough water to move

granules off of leaves

Irrigation After Fertilization

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Fertilization of Established Grasses:• Should be applied based on soil and/or tissue test

• Often ample in plant available form in FL

• Turf needs are low

• DACS Fertilizer Rule limits use:o 0.25 lb 1,000 ft-2 per applicationo 0.5 lb 1,000 ft-2 yearly

• Needs increase under traffic or other stresses

Phosphate Fertilizers BMP

Phosphorous

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Potassium

Potassium

Potassium is similar to a multi-vitamin for turf

Improved Drought Tolerance

What is the recommended N:K ratio? See Page 31

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Improved Disease Resistance

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• A Magnesium deficiency may be found in many parts of the state

• This may affect landscape plants

• 2 ½ lbs. Mg/1000ft²/yr may be applied

Magnesium (Mg)

Mg

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Iron (Fe)

• pH sensitive (Alkaline)• Greening response (short)• Iron should be applied to the

soil not as foliar application.• Iron chelates work best in rainy

season from June - September.Fe

Based on BMPs for Turfgrass and Landscape Fertilization, what is the recommendation for Fe and/or Mn instead of N to enhance turfgrass color. See page 39

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Fertilizer Calculations

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Review Single N Applications

Follow UF recommended annual N rates

• 0.5 lb. N 1000 ft2 if water soluble

• Up to 1 lb. N 1000 ft2 if slow-release

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N Calculations

15-0-15, 50% slow-release N

How much N per 1,000 ft2?

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N Calculations

How much 15-0-15 will supply the correct N amount to 1,000 ft2?

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100/15 = 6.6

6.6 lbs. of fertilizer to cover 1,000 ft2 at 1 lb N /1,000 ft2

N Calculations

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Fertilizer Calculations- Milorganite

How much 6-2-0 fertilizer?

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Formula> 1 lb /1,000 ft2

100/6 = 16.616.6 lbs. of fertilizer to cover 1,000 ft2 at 1 lb N /1,000 ft2

Fertilizer Calculations- Milorganite

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Fertilizer Calculations- Urea

How much 46-0-0 (quick release) fertilizer?

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Fertilizer Calculations- UreaFormula> 0.5 lb /1,000 ft2

100/46 = 2.2To apply 0.5 lb. N per 1,000 ft2:

2.2 /2 = 1.11.1 lbs. of f ertilizer to cover 1,000 ft2 at 1 lb N /1,000 ft2

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Total Nitrogen % = Amount

6% N (Low) Larger amounts of fertilizer

15% N (Medium) Medium amounts of fertilizer

46% N (High) Very Low amounts of fertilizer

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FertilizerCalibration, Loading, and Storage

• Calibrate spreaders & sprayers frequently

• Ensure they are clean and maintained properly

• Double check the material used and application rate desired

Calibration BMP

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Spreader Calibration• Determine amount needed for the

test area

• Capture material (bucket or measured tarp)

• Walk the spreader over test area

• Weigh applied material

• Compare to the required amount

• Adjust spreader

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Sprayer Calibration• Determine how much fertilizer is

needed for the test area

• Determine how long it takes to spray that area

• Determine the amount sprayed in that time

• Compare and adjust as needed

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Sweep-up spills! BMP

Load liquid and/or granular fertilizer on impervious (paved)

surfaces can pollute water bodies

Fertilizer Storage• Store fertilizer in areas protected

from rainfall

• Load fertilizer away from wells or waterbodies

• Store fertilizer away from flammable substances

• Clean up spills immediately

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Do you need a license to apply fertilizers?

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Limited Commercial Fertilizer Applicator Certificate (LCFAC)

• Issued by FDACS - Chapter 482

• Required by January 1, 2014

• GI-BMP certificate training pre-requisite [approved equivalent]

• $25 fee, renewal every 4 years

• 4 hours of CEUs required for renewal

• Not required if application is only to property owed by you, your firm, or your employer- “Institutional Applicator”

• LCFAC holders are exempt from further local testing

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This slide set was adapted from the presentation SOLUBLE vs. CONTROLLED RELEASE NITROGEN FERTILIZERS

by J.B. SartainUniversity of Florida

And byMike Thomas, FDEP

Laurie Trenholm, UF-IFASDon Rainey, UF-IFAS Alberto Chavez, FDEP

Last update October 2009

Thank you!

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