Ureaform


Sparingly soluble Contains = 35% N


= 60% of available N is cold water insoluble


Long chain polymer Commonly sold as Nitroform


to six months after application.


Osmocote and Nutricote Osmocote production involves the coating of a soluble fertiliser core with a copolymer of


dicyclopentadiene and a glycerol ester, which are dissolved in a hydrocarbon solvent. Nutricote technology uses thermoplastic resins such as polyolefins as coating materials. The coatings are used with a variety of fertilisers including urea, potassium sulphate, and ammonium nitrate.


Uncoated Controlled and Slow Release Fertilisers


Characteristics of uncoated fertilisers include homogeneity and, frequently, smaller particle size than coated products. The ability to manufacture such fertilisers with smaller particles sizes aids in their use on low cut turf such as golf greens. Homogenous refers to the fact that each particle of uncoated fertiliser is the same throughout.


Ureaformaldehyde Reaction Products.


Commonly known as Ureaform, Methylene Urea, Nitroform, Nutralene and Methex. The technology employed is among the oldest for controlled-release nitrogen. Urea and formaldehyde are reacted together to form these products. This reaction causes the formation of polymer- chain molecules. The longer the products are reacted together, the longer the polymer chains are, with longer polymer chains releasing nitrogen more slowly than short polymer chains.


The conversion of


ureaformaledhyde reaction products to plant available N in the soil involves dissolution and microbial decomposition. The primary release mechanism is through microbial decomposition, with carbon from the polymer


Methylene Urea Sparingly soluble


Contain about 39% N


= 60% of available N is cold water insoluble


Intermediate chain polymer Commonly sold as Nutralene


acting as a food source for the microorganisms. Thus factors influencing soil microbial activity such as soil pH and temperature will affect nutrient release.


Isobutylidene diurea (IBDU) IBDU is well known to all turfgrass managers as a white crystalline solid that comes in various particle sizes. The reaction of isobutyraldehyde and urea form this product. IBDU is available to grass through hydrolysis and the rate of availability depends upon the particle size and the amount of water available. The thicker the particle size, the slower the nutrient releases. When adequate water is available, the fertiliser particles will break down and release the contained nutrients. IBDU nutrient release is not influenced by soil microorganisms, so nutrients can be released from this fertiliser even in cold conditions, although low soil pH values have been shown to increase nutrient availability. There is no doubt that


controlled release fertiliser products are here to stay in the turfgrass market. These products are in use of all aspects of turf including golf courses and athletic fields. Such products are very useful in improving the effectiveness and performance of nutrient chemicals. Probably the main barrier for use of these products is their high price with many turfgrass managers having to keep careful account for their budgets, however in the future I believe that these fertilisers will be used on a more frequent basis in the turfgrass industry.


About the author


Tim Butler is currently studying for a doctorate degree in Sportsturf Science at both University College Dublin, Ireland and Michigan State University, USA. For further information contact Tim Butler at timmbutler@hotmail.com


EACH issue we catch up with a leading turfgrass professional and ask him or her what’s going on in ...


READERS Lives


Who are you? Peter Driver, PR Manager at Command Publicity, responsible for the media relations of Ransomes Jacobsen and Wiedenmann UK in the groundscare sector.


What’s your background? I began my career in publishing within the maritime insurance market of Lloyd’s of London, where I was editor of a couple of factual maritime journals. I left to become studio manager at a specialist design agency; then joined Command Publicity, a full service advertising agency in 1991, in a similar role. Three years in and a particular client wanted PR services and we didn’t say no. From that single opportunity we now have a diverse portfolio of PR clients across a broad range of industry sectors.


Status? Very happily married, for the past 32 years, to Jennifer. We are empty nesters having two sons, Kevin (29), a firefighter with a BSc Hons degree and Mark (26) who works for one of the insurance companies within the RBS group. We have disposable income again!


What do you get up to on your days off? My relaxation is doing things. I have never been one to lounge in a chair or sleep in at weekends. I believe the day is for doing! I’m into DIY projects large and small. I’ve helped build two swimming pools for family and friends, laid patios, built decking and outdoor buildings. I enjoy gardening and in the winter months, from October to end of January, I’m involved with our local Panto group, building sets for the annual show. Oh, yes I am! Holidays with my wife are taken in the sun and, for the past few years, it’s been various Greek islands. Once a year with a good friend, I disappear on a long distance walk, anything from 100 to 150 miles, to recharge the batteries.


What car do you drive? VW Golf 2.0 TDI. Great car, superb engine, bags of torque, tax efficient and does at least 55 mpg, however hard I drive it! Excellent vehicle for the mileage I do, traveling around the UK visiting and interviewing groundscare professionals. Back in the early 70s I had a Lambretta Li 150 scooter. Whenever we go to Greece the first thing I do is hire the biggest scooter I can find, which we use to tour around the island. Great way to see the place, so long as you are sensible! I would love to own a Piaggio X9, the ultimate touring scooter.


Favourite film? None, in particular, I just want to be entertained. Midnight Cowboy left its mark; Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman were superb.


Favourite radio programme? ‘Today’, ‘Just a minute’ and ‘Sorry, I haven’t a


clue’ on Radio Four. Most sport on Radio Five Live.


Favourite music? Tamla Motown, Bruce Springsteen, musicals and most pop music previous to the 1990s


What do you most enjoy about your job? I just love talking to groundsmen and greenkeepers about their profession and will do all I can do to dispel the myth that ‘they just cut grass’. Sometimes when I visit, this is the first recognition or appreciation that many of them have received for the job they do. These are professional people, they understand the soil, its structure, the preferred growing conditions. Most know their patch intimately, they are environmentally aware and many are conservationists. Everybody in this industry has a duty to raise the profile of those within it. Lifelong learning should be for everyone and everyone should benefit. This is by far and away the best industry I have ever been associated with. The people are generally kind, generous and enjoy what they do. Many move around it, but very few ever leave it.


Favourite Sport? Has to be football as I played very competitively (see Essex FA disciplinary record) until the age of 40, followed by a short retirement, then took up rugby for five years. Insanity runs in our family. Very disillusioned with football now and have gone from fanatic to ambivalent in the past 10 years. Greatest thrill has to be playing in the same team as my two sons. I enjoy watching most sport, especially when played to a high level.


Favourite TV? Any David Attenborough nature programme. UK history channel. Grumpy Old Men.


Favourite Food? Very eclectic. Will eat or try most cuisine. I do enjoy Italian and Greek cooking


Pet Hate? Vandalism, littering and anti-social behaviour. I abhor the lack of respect prevalant today. Parents have a responsibility for instilling the mores and social behaviour patterns on their children, but many are avoiding this or just don’t care.


Most memorable experience? Being present at the birth of my two sons. Surviving a life threatening illness in my teens. Attending the Robbie Williams concert at Knebworth. My most memorable sporting experience was watching the 1966 World Cup final on our black & white TV. As a football-mad 14-year old I nearly burst with excitement. I was also at Wembley for some of the group games with a party from my school. We saw the Argentinian captain, Rattin, sent off in front of us and Bobby Charlton’s long range goal against Mexico. Priceless!


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