The finer grasses are tender souls who don’t like excessive rough treatment
without deteriorating. The desired level of growth will vary depending on what we need to achieve at different times of the year. For example, during spring we will need to generate a certain level of growth to bring recovery from winter wear and to allow the early season preparations to take place. During the summer, once we have set-up our surfaces, we would want to keep growth quiet to reduce the need for any further aggressive treatments. Into autumn we must ensure that the turf is strong enough to withstand and recover from the end of season renovations prior to the onset winter dormancy. When minimising your fertiliser inputs concentrate on finesse and timing. The old boys used to feed by hand to allow localised areas to be missed-out or receive extra nutrient depending on the turf condition - now that is finesse! Essentially, you should only apply what is necessary and no more.
Nitrogen
In terms of nitrogen input, for soil-based greens the Danish experience finds 5-7 g/m2 N per annum to be sufficient. You should aim to apply as little as necessary so you don’t have to verticut too often
through the summer. Be careful when weaning greens off a high-N approach because there may be an adverse reaction in the form of disease attack. Just take it steady and trust your judgement, that’s all.
In most cases the main source of nitrogen should be ammonium sulphate for its acidifying effect. The finer grasses can tolerate a pH below 5.5, whereas the annual meadow-grass cannot. Nutrient availability and microbial activity are factors here but not in this article. Generally, lowering the pH is a way of selecting-out annual meadow-grass. Sulphate of ammonia should represent roughly 75% of the total nitrogen.
The remaining nitrogen can be balanced up with lesser amounts of dried blood for prolonged release or urea-based liquids during the summer months. Don’t use too much organic nitrogen as this will promote disease prone lush growth and don't be fooled into using nitrates for the same reason. Disease equals disturbance and plays into the hands of annual meadow-grass. Just try to minimise nitrogen inputs to reduce the need for disturbance.
Fescues will flourish at a high pH but annual meadow grass dominance can only be avoided with the influence of an overriding environmental stress such as raised salinity or droughting. Liming generally plays into the hands of the weeds, worms and diseases.
Phosphate
The results of research on the effect of phosphate applications on fine turf quality have actually been inconsistent. Incessant phosphate fertiliser applications undoubtedly encourage the development of annual meadow-grass but at lower levels the relationship is not so clear-cut. Regular phosphate applications will create an ideal turf base for seed germination to the advantage of the annual meadow grass. Just don’t lose your head about phosphates and remember that they are not usually necessary to favour the bents and fescues. It is my feeling that the famous rabbit urine scorch tale should have been interpreted as scorch disturbance laced with urea fertiliser to encourage annual meadow-grass invasion rather than as being the direct effect of high phosphate levels.
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Pinnacle Power Equipment Ltd, The Barns, Watersplash Farm, Fordbridge Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex TW16 6AU Tel: 01932 788799 Fax: 01932 784487
PINNACLE POWER 17
www.pitchcare.com/re Also supplying the horticulture and hire markets 41
The most powerful
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Setting
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