Influence of Management and Season on Fate of N Applied to Golf Greens¹

Abstract

Because golf greens are constructed of very sandy soil mixtures over a gravel and tile drainage system and subjected to heavy irrigation schedules, there is a high potential for loss of applied N through leaching. This study was undertaken to determine the influence of management practices during different seasons on the fate of N applied to golf greens. Small isolated golf greens (3 m on a side) were constructed according to USGA specifications and equipped with drainage and runoff collection systems. Mixtures of sand and Houston black clay soil (Udic Pellusterts) were used in some plots while others were made of a Tabor sandy loam soil (Udertic Paleustales). All plots were planted with Tifdwarf Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L). N sources were applied at various rates during different seasons. The golf greens were irrigated at three different rates. Leachate and runoff samples were analyzed for NO3 to evaluate the influence of management practices on N losses from the golf greens. The results show that N losses and concentrations of NO3 in the leachate immediately after application of soluble sources were a function of the rate of N and water applied. When the irrigation rate was kept at or near the evapotranspiration rate, the loss of NO3 from inorganic soluble sources was minimized. The irrigation rate did not affect the NO3 losses from organic sources. Seasonal studies indicated that losses and concentrations of NO3 were highest in winter. This appeared to be associated with the large volume of water which leached from the plots during the season. It was concluded that N losses and NO3 concentrations could be lowered by: using organic sources of N; reducing irrigation rates to equal the evapotranspiration rate; and decreasing fertilizer rates during periods of slow growth.

Turfgrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) sod production on sandy soils: II. Effects of irrigation and fertiliser regimes on N leaching

“…Consequently, N not taken up by the turfgrass during establishment, due to high irrigation or excessive N applications, is likely to be leached. Although the effect of irrigation regime on N leaching from turfgrass production has not been previously reported in the scientific literature, optimising irrigation management has been shown to be critical to minimising N leaching from established turfgrass (Brown et al, 1977;Morton et al, 1988;Snyder et al, 1984). For example, minimising soil water movement under established couch grass using a soil tensiometer-controlled irrigation system decreased mineral-N leaching from 22 to 7.5% of applied N over 6 months (spring-late summer) (Snyder et al, 1984).…”

“…Irrigation regimes and frequencies that do not cause water to move beyond the rooting zone decrease N leaching (Brown et al, 1977;Morton et al, 1988;Snyder et al, 1984). Once the irrigation management has been optimised, further decreases in N leaching have been achieved by applying N fertilisers at rates and frequencies to match turfgrass demand (Brown et al, 1977;Engelsjord and Singh, 1997;Miltner et al, 1996;Morton et al, 1988;Snyder et al, 1981Snyder et al, , 1984. The frequency (or timing) and the amount used in fertiliser applications needed to meet turfgrass requirements and limit the risk of N leaching, varies depending upon the solubility of the fertiliser.…”

Runoff of Nitrate Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Turfgrass After Watering-In

“…[7] The amounts of nutrients in the runoff water are a function of both rates and volume of water. [6,7,10] Significant volumes of water have been reported to runoff of grassed areas. For a pasture in Australia monitored for three years, runoff averaged from 0.4 to 10% of annual rainfall.…”

Nitrate Leaching from Two Kentucky Bluegrass Cultivars as Affected by Nitrate Uptake Capacity and Subsurface Soil Compaction

“…Roy et al, 2000;Snyder et al, 1984;Starr and DeRoo, 1981), heavy or mistimed fertilization (Brown et al, 1977(Brown et al, , 1982Guillard and Kopp, 2004;Mangiafico and Guillard, 2007;Petrovic et al, 1986;Rieke and Ellis, 1974;Roy et al, 2000;Sheard et al, 1985;Snyder et al, 1981), sandy soils (Brown et al, 1982;Petrovic, 1990;Rieke and Ellis, 1974), and mature turf (Frank et al, 2006;Petrovic, 1990;Porter et al, 1980). This column lysimeter study was conducted to examine No 3 leaching from two Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) cultivars differing in No 3 uptake capacity.…”

“…In fact, turfgrass fertilization accounts for 10% or more of total N fertilizer use in the United States (calculated from Galloway et al, 2003). However, significant NO 3 leaching can occur under certain conditions, such as heavy irrigation (Brown et al, 1977;Modsdell and Schmidt, 1985;Morton et A large body of work indicates that very little NO 3 leaches from healthy and well-managed turf (Cohen et al, 1999;Erickson et al, 2001;Gold et al, 1990;Kunimatsu et al, 1999;Lee et al, 2003;Pannkuk et al, 2011;Rufty et al, 2008;Trenholm and Sartain, 2010).…”