FSM Ground Maintenance
Winter Turf Management: Fertiliser Tips For Stronger, Healthier Sports Pitches
By Kelly-Marie Clack, UK Technical Manager at Origin Amenity Solutions
One of the challenging parts of winter sports pitch management is trying to get grass to recover from play when the turf is turning to dormancy. As the temperature drops, it is vital that we select fertilisers that contain plant- available nitrogen to ensure optimal surface performance.
Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient used by plants for shoot and root growth. It also improves the overall plant health and colour. Creating a healthy plant all year-round strengthens the plants resistance to abiotic stresses such as frost, enhances the root system which allows the plant to take up water and nutrients from the soil and contributes to a balanced soil ecosystem. A strong root system contributes to a strong sward and a surface that performs well.
Ammonium and Nitrate-based fertilisers are two forms of nitrogen commonly used for cool-season fertilising. Both forms are readily available to the plant, and therefore, instant recovery from play is achieved. It is important to consider the total amount of nitrogen you are applying per application, as nitrate nitrogen can leach through the profile during heavy periods of rain. Try to optimise growth and recovery whilst minimising waste and environmental impact.
Controlled-release fertilisers are formulated to give some instant response from quick-release nitrogen in the form of nitrate and/or ammonium. The remaining nitrogen is coated with resin which regulates the release
20 FSM
of nitrogen based on the plant’s growth requirements. Following application, soil moisture penetrates through the coating and begins to dissolve the nutrients inside. The nutrients will then gradually diffuse through the coating based on factors such as
soil moisture and
temperature. This allows the plant to receive the nutrients it requires as temperatures increase and reduces the risk of leaching during winter when the plant requires less nitrogen, as the nutrients will be held in the resin coating until temperatures
increase
again. Controlled-release
fertilisers will also offer some spring carry-over; when the soil temperatures start to increase, the nutrients will begin to diffuse back into the rootzone and become available to the plant.
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