Evaluation of Exponential Fertilization Technique for Cultivation of Turfgrass during Early Growth Period

Abstract

The exponential fertilization method is based on the theory of supplying steady-state nutrition to young seedlings during the early, exponential growth stage. The objective of the research was to find the most effective method of fertilizing turfgrass during the early growth stage following seedling emergence. The field experiment was performed on turfgrass (tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) comparing a check (no fertilizer applied), two conventional fertilization techniques (equal additions and linearly increasing application rates over time) to the exponential additions fertilization method to test the relative effectiveness of this latter technique relative to conventional methods. Results show that the exponential growth period for fescue is the first 5 weeks following planting. Biomass accumulation, total nitrogen (N) concentration, and N content per seedling in turfgrass seedlings fertilized using the exponential addition fertilization technique were 32, 35, and 70% greater than those treated with traditional methods, respectively.

Defining Sufficiency Levels of Nitrogen in Cool‐Season Turfgrass Lawns Using Macy's Concept

“…For example, with exponentially fertilized tall fescue seedlings where N application was designed to match the growth stage of plants, a steady state concentration of tissue N was reached at 44 to 46 g kg -1 during the 5-wk exponential growth period following germination (Li et al, 2012). Difference in physiological growth stage will have an effect on N requirements in turfgrass plants.…”

“…Difference in physiological growth stage will have an effect on N requirements in turfgrass plants. After the initial exponential growth period in turfgrass, the demand for N declines and less fertilizer N is required (Li et al, 2012), until the next demand period, which frequently occurs immediately after mowing if growth conditions are favorable. This is the period when demand for N is at its greatest, and these steady state concentrations of 44 to 46 g N kg -1 seemed to meet those demands.…”

“…Difference in physiological growth stage will have an effect on N requirements in turfgrass plants. For example, with exponentially fertilized tall fescue seedlings where N application was designed to match the growth stage of plants, a steady state concentration of tissue N was reached at 44 to 46 g kg -1 during the 5-wk exponential growth period following germination (Li et al, 2012). This is the period when demand for N is at its greatest, and these steady state concentrations of 44 to 46 g N kg -1 seemed to meet those demands.…”

“…This probably explains why cool-season turfgrass growth and quality during the establishment period benefits from higher N supply (Hickey and Hume, 2003;Pease et al, 2011). After the initial exponential growth period in turfgrass, the demand for N declines and less fertilizer N is required (Li et al, 2012), until the next demand period, which frequently occurs immediately after mowing if growth conditions are favorable. Table 1.…”

Effects of Fertilization Mode on the Growth of Lactuca sativa L. and Soil Nutrients in Facilitated Cultivation

“…et al [15] studied the effect of different fertilization methods on L. divaricata seedlings during growth, and the results showed that exponential fertilization is a valid option to reduce initial nutrient loss by leaching. Li et al [16] compared conventional fertilization with exponential fertilization to find the most effective method of fertilization during the early growth stage following seedling emergence. The results showed that turfgrass seedlings with the exponential fertilization technique exhibited significantly higher biomass accumulation, total nitrogen (N) concentration, and N content per seedling than those treated with the conventional fertilization method.…”