Fairway fertilization and T-Pac question Cancel The title field is required!

1. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   12/17/2018 11:12 AM

   Hi all,
   
   I know I have had questions about fairway fertilization amounts before (especially in regards to density issues, which golfers complained of HOC problems, thinking we were mowing too low, while we are mowing at .75 or higher), I think we have finally seen some improvements this last season due to having put down 2.7 lbs. N in 2017 and 3 lbs. N in 2018, (up from the 1.5 lbs. in 2016, and 1.4 lbs.in 2015).
   
   I'm going to study MLSN some more, along with some different products, but was wondering for those that have sprayed trinexapac-ethyl (Primo) have you noticed the ability to use less fertilizer?
   
   Also wonder and would like to hear some thoughts on those that might spray some nutrients, do you think you get a better bang for your buck compared to granular applications?
   
   Currently we use a spreader truck for ease/speed and convenience. (They can spread our fairways in about a half hour to 45 minutes depending on play, he might take longer to set up and load fertilizer then it takes to spread, this is very helpful in the spring with all the applications going on greens, tees, etc.)
   
   Trying to see if I can save some budget money, yet not go backwards with the progress we've made. We have bermuda in SW MO, and we do get a lot of winter traffic, that beat up our fairways, because we don't have continuous cart paths. We did treat tees for quite a few years at 3 lbs. N per season, but they started to get puffy so we have increased cultural practices, cut back to 1.5 lbs. per season, and only added extra applications of 21-0-0 to bare and thin ares from winter play.
   
   Thanks!
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
2. Larry Stowell

   

   0 posts
   
   1/8/2019 5:01 PM

   Hi Mel,
   
   I filled out a climate appraisal to see how much N is "typically" needed for bermuda to grow well in Springfield. Using the assumption that 0.7 lbs N/1000 sq ft is the maximum that bermuda can use under ideal growing conditions, the grass will need 1.7 lbs N/1000 sq ft per year (see attached climate appraisal). Springfield is not a great environment for bermuda so weather trends each year are going to make a big difference. If we move maximum monthly N that bermuda can use up to 1.0 lbs N/1000 sq ft, the requirement would be 2.4 lbs N/1000 sq ft per year. If you need 2 or 3 lbs to get the grass to perform well, that is what is needed. If increased N rate did not result in turf improvement, then the extra N would not be the solution. It is just always going to be a struggle in your environment. Your experience with tees thatching up at 3 lbs N/1000 sq ft suggests that a lower rate is needed.
   
   I'm not sure you can cut back N too much if you are having problems at 1.5 lbs N/1000 sq ft per year and performance seems to be good between 2 to 3 lbs N/1000 sq ft. You might start at 2 lbs N/1000 sq ft and adjust as needed.
   
   Climate appraisal is attached. Background here: https://www.paceturf.org/index.php/journal/climate

   
   
   
   
3. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   1/9/2019 11:01 PM

   Thanks Larry for that information!
   
   Interesting, where most of the fertilizer needs are July and August and I have to admit, most fertilizer applications in our area are done in April and May, with maybe one application in July. Of course we are also putting down pre-emergent and grub control products with those nutrient applications early in the season. And some courses have zoysia, not the Bermuda we have.
   
   
   Lots to think about.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO