Download Foliar Nutrition Of Turfgrasses

Foliar Nutrition
of Turfgrass
Traditionally
Golf course superintendents
have used soil testing as a guide
to balancing the basic nutrients
on the soil colloids with various
types of root absorbed fertilizers
thus providing a good
environment for plant growth.
However
While management of the soil or root
zone mix addresses the health of the
soil; it does not address what nutrients
the plants are actually taking up--nor the
ratio present in the plants for needed
photosynthesis and other metabolic
functions.
New Management Trend
A new management trend takes care
of the plant as a separate program
from the soil. This requires tissue
testing to look at both the amount
and the ratios of nutrients present in
the plant tissue.
Foliar Feeding
Foliar feeding provides the tool
to balance both the amount and
the ratios of nutrients present in
the plant by the addition of those
nutrients that are needed. This
provides optimum plant health.
Agronomic Law of Minimum
• 13 essential elements besides C, H, O2 are
required-- each one at optimum levels for
optimum growth and health
• Growth and health will be limited by the
lowest optimum level present (example)
• No element may substitute for any other
• Roots at times and under certain
conditions are limited in their uptake of
nutrients
Basic Concept
• “Non-Root” parts of plants will take up
nutrients.
• Some types of fertilizers applied to the
leaves of plants can be absorbed
quickly and plentifully.
• Studies on foliar absorption of fertilizer
both macro and micro-nutrients have
been investigated by many workers for
over 40 years.
Basic Concept
• Foliar applications of micro-nutrients
have been very successful over a long
period.
• Foliar absorbed nutrients are
immediately available to the plant.
Nutritional Foliar Sprays
“In general, the utilization level of
foliar fertilization is about 85%90%, whereas the common soil
fertilization amounts to 10%-30%,
or rarely to 50%.”
Gupta and Cutchliffe (1978)
(Canadian Plant Science)
What is Foliar Nutrition?
• Fertigation?---Not really
• Spoon feeding with dissolved
soluble fertilizer?---Not always
• Fertilizer nutrients must be Fully
absorbed to be a true foliar
Why Foliar Feed Turfgrasses?
• More control with less risk
• Lower overall nutrient inputs
• Enhanced Chlorophyll production – which
increases carbohydrate production
• Less nutrient leaching past the root
system
• Less potential for groundwater
contamination
Why Foliar Feed Turfgrasses?
continued:
• Better response with a poor root system
• Better response without optimum soil pH
• Good results with plants under stress
• Very best spoon feeding program for turf
Why Foliar Feed Turfgrasses?
When are adequate nutrient supplies not
available from the roots?
• Closely mowed turf
• Unfavorable temperatures for root
development. (Hot and Cold)
• Loss of root system following spring
root decline of warm season
turfgrasses.
Why Foliar Feed Turfgrasses?
When are adequate nutrient supplies not
available from the roots
• During periods of tissue hardening
prior to the onset of environmental
stress
• Overseeded cool season turf,
which have limited root systems in
bermudagrass
• CEC limited rootzones (Sand)
Spoon Feeding Turfgrass
• The amounts of material applied are
so low that application in the dry
form would not be possible.
• Spoon feeding is more flexible and
can be adjusted to meet exactly the
needs of the turf area being treated.
(Soil and Tissue tests)
• Application usually every 7 to 14
days.
Mobility Factors
Factors that alter the extent of absorption into the
plant and translocation throughout the plant
• Surface active agents are effective in
increasing absorption.
• Drying time on the leaf is directly related
to adsorption.
• Complexing and Chelating agents are
effective in promoting both absorption
and translocation within the plant.
Forms Of Foliars
• Inorganic forms -- tie up the fastest since
they have no facilitators to help them
translocate in the plant.
• Complexes -- are better than the
inorganic forms.
• Chelates -- will be taken up better,
translocate better, and be protected from
adsorption and thus precipitating within
the plant.
What makes a good foliar?
• All organic and inorganic compounds
vary in their efficacy of foliar
absorption.
• Absorption is only one aspect of a
useful foliar fertilizer. In addition, the
absorbed nutrient must be
translocated throughout the plant.
• Phytotoxicity can be a concern with
some compounds, especially the
inorganic compounds.
Summary
Humic materials have the capacity
of binding substantial amounts of
metals and other cations, and they
can therefore exert considerable
control over the supply and
availability of nutrient elements to
plants and in soils and water.
Complex
When a metal ion combines
with an electron donor, the
resulting substance is said to
be a complex or a coordination
compound.
(CH3)-N-COO-metal
Chelate
The main difference between a
metal complex and a chelate is that
in the chelate, the donor atoms are
attached not only to the metal but
also to each other.
Amino Acid Chelate
Stronger Bond
Amino Acid Chelate
C
C
Why Use Strong
Chelated Products?
• Compatibility and stability
mixing with other nutrients
and products
• Protects nutrient from
falling out (precipitating)
and assists in plant uptake
and translocation
Synthetic Chelating Agents
Synthetic chelates are used
extensively in turf products:
*EDTA
*HEDTA
*EGTA
They are very popular and effective only when used in
the soil. They only chelate the metals. However, they
are not biodegradable and may remain as a residue in
the plant tissue or soil.
Organic Agents
Organic products used as complexing
and chelating agents:
* humic acids
* fulvic acids
* ligno sulfonates
* derivatives from the wood pulp industry
* hydrolyzed protein mixes
* Citric acid
* amino acids
Some generally have low stability constants;
mixing with phosphate may result in a
phosphate-metal reaction (precipitate)
Organic Chelating Agents
* Advantage over non-organic
Products that contain a high organic
concentration and when added to the soil
or the plant are degradable in the plant
or soil. They may also provide an energy
source to the plant and also to the soil
micro-organisms, which in turn helps
make soil nutrients available to the plant.
Buyer Beware
• Many products are not 100%
chelated and although classified by
law as a chelate may not be effective
• Even among organics some chelating
agents are far superior to others and
all are classified as chelating agents
by law
Chelating Agents
The chelating agents used in Grigg
Brothers products are organic acids,
amino acids and carbohydrates
selected either individually or in
combination to chelate each metal
nutrient at the highest stability
constant. All chelating agents are
natural components found in the
metabolism of the plant.
The Bottom Line
Foliar Nutrition is an effective
method of providing a steady flow
of nutrients to the turfgrass.
In combination with other
traditional types of root-uptake
fertilizers, it is another
management tool for progressive
golf course superintendents who
want to achieve better control of
nutrition and growth.
Superior Foliar Fertilizer
Why Foliar Feed with
Grigg Brothers Products?
Safe
Effective
Quality & Predictable Results
Low risk of tissue burn
Highly compatible with chemicals
Fast turf response
Long lasting
Good Science
Ultra-Plex
• Can be a stand alone product
@ 3 - 6 oz / 1,000 sq.ft.
• Is recommended in all Grigg Brothers
programs @ 1.5 - 3 oz / 1,000 sq.ft.
• Is a surfactant, a water buffer agent to make
sure water is acidified, a growth stimulator
product, and has an effective form of iron and
minors added.
– No other additives are need to complete the
program
Ultra-Plex
• 1/3 Organic Surfactant
– Intake
• 1/3 Chelated Iron and Minors
– Iron Combo Chelate
• 1/3 Plant Growth Stimulator &
water buffering agent
– Aminoplex
Ultra-Plex
• Can be used like:
– Roots 1-2-3
– Emerald Isle’s CPR
• However, contains a water buffer agent and
additional minors that neither of the
competitive products contain
• Additionally, the minors are in chelated form for
efficiency and compatibility
• Is a better product at a competitive price
Gary’s Green 18-3-4
+Fe, Mg, Zn, S, Cu
• Is formulated specially for turf
– introduced in 1995
– has become a foliar icon worldwide
• Highly efficient at low rates
• Quick visual response and sustained green up
from increase in chlorophyll
– without a surge of growth
• Highly compatible with other pesticides and
growth regulators
Gary’s Green 18-3-4
+Fe, Mg, Zn, S, Cu
• 100% foliar and unlike several competitive
products, contains no slow release N which is
never a foliar & needs microorganisms for
release
• Can also be used on landscape plants where
more N is needed
• Basis for most of our programs
• Start @ 6oz / 1,000 sq.ft. mixed with
Ultra-Plex @ 1.5 oz / 1,000 sq.ft
– every 1-2 weeks depending on season and growth
Gary’s Green 18-3-4
+Fe, Mg, Zn, S, Cu
• May drop rate to 3 - 4 oz when used weekly or
mixed with other Grigg Brothers products such
as Tuff Turf, Sili-Kal B or P-K Plus at equal
rates of 3 - 4 oz
• Very effective when mixed with Primo. Primo
works by reducing top growth and expanding
leaf mass. Thus Primo extends the life of a
foliar by reducing the amount of leaf blade
removed and extending time and amount in
the plant.
– The combination with Primo gives maximum
chlorophyll production and thus carbohydrate
production promoting root growth and mass
Tuff Turf 1-0-14
+Fe, Mg, Mn, Si
• High level of quickly available Potassium
• Contains Silicon (beneficial for plant
toughness)
• Contains the Micros needed for Chlorophyll
production
• Extremely effective with a low (acidic) 3.8 pH
– Most of the other brands have a high pH and are
less effective
• No other high K source is as compatible
– most others will not mix with P or Ca liquids
– many will not mix with pesticides
Tuff Turf 1-0-14
+Fe, Mg, Mn, Si
• The most popular mix with Gary’s Green in
equal amounts of 3 - 4 oz each and this mix
gives a 1:1 N:K ratio while covering most minor
elements needed for plant health and growth
• Can be used as a stand alone product @ 4 - 6
oz / 1,000 sq.ft. every 1-2 weeks
– Superintendents in the north have been successful
in applying 6oz / 1,000 sq.ft. twice, 2 weeks apart
before plant succession in late fall.
Studies are underway to document this treatment.
Sili-Kal-B 8-0-4
+Ca, Si, B
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Very high in foliar Ca – 10%
Contains Silicon (si)
Promotes strong cell walls
pH 5.5 (compare)
Use at times of limited root growth
Especially for greens grown on sand based
rootzones
• Can be used as a stand alone Ca supplement
Tournament Program
• Mixed with Gary’s Green and Tuff Turf @ 3 - 4
oz / 1,000 sq.ft. each and Ultra Plex @ 1.5 oz /
1,000 sq.ft. is our best protocol or tournament
program
• This protocol contains everything needed for
growth and health of the turf at proper ratios
of each nutrient
Tournament Program
• Granular fertilizers need only be added to this
protocol a few times per season during
aerification or as desired
• Gary’s Green may be reduced or eliminated in
the protocol just prior to tournament play for
reduced growth
Nutra Green 5-10-5
+Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, S, B
• 26% Plant based Amino Acids and complex
polysaccharide sugars
• A complete fertilizer containing all the nutrients
in balanced proportions
• Highly efficient P for growth and stress
• No other product on the market contains as
many nutrients with high levels of phosphorus
• Speeds grow-in of annuals
– mix 1:200 and drench
Nutra Green 5-10-5
+Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, S, B
• Increases blooming of trees and shrubs
– mix 1:100 and inject
• Can be continuously injected or run through
drip tubes at 1:1000
• Is the result of 25 years research
• Best product on cool season turf early in the
spring coming out of dormancy when soil
temperatures are still below that needed for
uptake of nutrients – especially minors
Nutra Green 5-10-5
+Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, S, B
• During heat of summer for stress relief when
soil temperatures shut down root growth
• For growing of new turf, or overseeded warm
season turf, to feed needed P and all minors to
young seedlings
P.K. Plus 3-21-18
+Fe, Mn, Zn, B
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17% phosphorus acid P303
4% phosphoric acid P2O5
Very quickly absorbed
Popular on the new “ultra dwarf”
bermudagrass cultivars
– Independent University studies show it very
effective on annual bluegrass greens
• pH 6.4 (compare)
• Can be mixed with Sili-Kal-B
P.K. Plus 3-21-18
+Fe, Mn, Zn, B
• To often P is overlooked by turfgrass
managers
– P is a key ingredient in the photosynthetic process
and a building block of amino acids
• Contains chelated micronutrients in a high
phosphorus product
• When mixed equal with Gary’s Green it gives a
NPK ratio of 1:1:1
– Add Ultra-Plex and it becomes a great program:
popular on Ultra Dwarf bermudagrasses and
annual bluegrass greens
P.K. Plus 3-21-18
+Fe, Mn, Zn, B
• Derived from Potassium Phosphite
(a substance used for many years in agriculture)
• Phosphites are known to have toxic effects to
species of phythium and damping off as well
as anthracnose
• Our product is NOT labeled as a fungicide and
regardless of what Aventis and Chipco would
like you to believe, it is proven effective as a P
foliar nutrient for plants
Suprema 12-0-12
+Fe, Mn, Zn, B
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An economical 1:1 ratio of N to K
20% plant based amino acids
K from potassium organic acids
Quickly absorbed
Good minor package aimed at photosynthesis
Very compatible
Suprema 12-0-12
+Fe, Mn, Zn, B
• pH 6.5 (compare)
• Use alone or mixed with Ultra Plex
• Can be mixed with all other Grigg Brothers
Products
• Becoming popular on fairways
• When mixed @ 2.5 gal / acre with Ultra-Plex
@ 1 gal has become a popular weekly
treatment on high quality sports turf
AminoPlex 3-0-0
Plant Growth Stimulator
• Enhances utilization and translocation of
nutrients in foliar fertilizers
• Contains naturally selected biological
stimulants including
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natural plant metabolites
organic acids
carbohydrates
protein & enzyme precursors
• Buffers poor quality water
Intake
• A non-ionic all organic surfactant
– wetting agent and performance enhancer for foliar
fertilizers
• Is especially designed to work with Grigg
Brothers products
• Improves the efficacy of any systemic product
including Round Up
A-O-K 1-0-25
• Amino Acids +
Organic Acids +
Organic Potassium
• 25% chelated K – no other elements
• May be added to any program to boost K in
the mixture where needed
• Can be used as a stand alone K source
• The 25% K and the 10% Ca in Sili-Kal B
will mix together without problems
– unlike the competition
Fairway Foliar “Fertile-Sprays”
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Amino N — 25-0-0 +Fe
Amino P — 8-32-0
Amino K — 5-0-25
Amino Iron — 12-0-0 +Fe 5%, Mn, Zn, Amino
Acid
• Available in Bulk
– 55 gal
– 275 gal
Chelates, Complexes, Combos, & More
• Individual Straight Minors
• Combination Minor Products
• Organic Surfactant
• Plant Growth Agents
• Bio-Amendments
Bio Amendments
• Bio Blend 10-0-0 +Ca 5%
• Carbo-Plex 6-4-4 +Fe, Mn, Zn
Carbo-Plex 6-4-4
+Fe, Mn, Zn
• A unique turf food like no other
– Helpful for microorganism growth & sugar level in
the leaf
• 35% simple sugars plus other organic acids
and amino acids blended together with
nutrients for soil microorganisms and plant
health
Carbo-Plex 6-4-4
+Fe, Mn, Zn
• Root feed by injecting or watering into the root
zone of all landscape plants
• Also sprayed as a foliar form of sugar and
nutrition
• Excellent product to build mycorrhizal fungi in
the soil
Bio-Blend 10-0-0 +Ca 5%
Soil & Root Stimulator
• A formula of 15 plant-based proprietary
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amino acids
organic acids
liquid fermentation products
natural plant hormones
enzymes & complex polysaccharides
• All unutilized as a microbial metabolite
– 88% active organic + 10% N + 5% Calcium
• Mix with Carbo-Plex or combine with any liquid
fertilizers or use alone
Bio-Blend 10-0-0 +Ca 5%
Soil & Root Stimulator
• Four products in 1:
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It is a liquid Compost for microorganisms
Aids in improving soil structure
Fertilizer, fortified with N and Ca
Alleviates Calcium deficiencies
Bio-Blend & Carbo-Plex
• Designed to be applied to the rootzone
– 3 gal Carbo-Plex + 1 gal Bio Blend / acre: watered
in lightly
– The only Grigg Brothers products which are
recommended to be watered in
• However, both may be used as a foliar
@ 3 oz / 1,000 sq.ft.
Summary
Grigg Brothers products contain a
high organic concentration. When
added to the soil or the plant the
nutrients are readily available to
the plant and the chelating agents
are degradable in the plant or soil.
This provides an energy source to
the plant and also to the soil
micro-organisms, which in turn
helps make soil nutrients available
to the plant.