433 Phosphorous and Potassium Fertilizers Influence Establishment of Bermudagrass

Abstract

<jats:p>Establishment of an acceptable turfgrass quality on sand-based golf putting greens presents major agronomic and environmental challenges to turfgrass managers. The objective of this study was to evaluate of five N:P:K fertilizer ratios to aid in the establishment of bermudagrass on sand-peat (85:15 v/v). `Floradwarf' and `Tifdwarf' bermudagrass [<jats:italic>Cynodon dactylon</jats:italic> (L.) Pers. × <jats:italic>C. transvaalensis</jats:italic> Burt-Davy] were sprigged in Aug. 1996 at the Envirogreen in Gainesville, Fla. `Tifeagle' and `Tifway' bermudagrass were sprigged in May 1999 at Clemson Univ. research green in Clemson, S.C. Treatments consisted of N:P<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>O<jats:sub>5</jats:sub>:K<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>O ratios of 1:0:1, 1:0:2, 1:1:1, 1:2:1, and 1:3:1 applied based on an N rate of 49 kg/ha per week. Treatments were applied weekly for 7 weeks. In Gainesville, the best growth rate was achieved from the 1:1:1 ratio of N:P<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>O<jats:sub>5</jats:sub>:K<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>O. While the 1:2:1 and 1:3:1 plots filled in well, they did not experience the same coverage rates as plots fertilized with the 1:1:1 ratio. In Clemson, similar growth was achieved with the 1:1:1, 1:2:1, and 1:3:1 treatments. The 1:0:1 and 1:0:2 plots were slow to establish at both locations. In general there were no differences in root and shoot dry weights of grasses grown in Clemson; whereas these weights were positively correlated to growth rates in Gainesville. These studies indicate that turf will respond to P fertilizer when it is grown in a P-deficit situation and that N or K cannot substitute for balanced nutrition.</jats:p>