new application technologies for lawn care operators

© 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC

KOCH TURF & ORNAMENTAL

Our Vision: To be a global leader

in making nutrients more efficient


Product Portfolio Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers

Controlled Release Fertilizers Slow Release Fertilizers Stabilized Nitrogen


Industry Support

• Industry Tradeshows (GIS & GIE+EXPO)

• National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP)

• RISE

• Turfgrass Associations

• GCSAA Silver Partner

• Golf Course Superintendent Associations

The NALP logo is a trademark of the National Association of Landscape Professionals. The RISE logo is a trademark of Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment.


Capitalizing on Recent Innovations in

Technologies for Lawn Care

Eric Miltner, Ph.D., CCA

Agronomist


Application Equipment

Products for Your Sprayer

Products for Your Spreader


Application

Equipment

Photo courtesy of PermaGreen Supreme, Inc.

Photo courtesy of Lawn Dawg

Photo courtesy of L.T. Rich Products, Inc.


Ride-on Spreader/Sprayers

Photo courtesy of PermaGreen Supreme, Inc.

Photo courtesy of L.T. Rich Products, Inc.


Ride-on Spreader/Sprayers - Advantages

• Coverage (speed / acreage)

• Operator fatigue / health

• Product placement


Fertilizers – soil surface

Herbicides – plant leaves


Ride-on Spreader/Sprayers - Considerations

• Capital investment

• Equipment transport

• Operator training / responsibility / safety

• Property size / terrain – best for every site? Photo courtesy of Lawn Dawg




Photo courtesy of TruGreen



For Your Sprayer


• Add to spray tank (or maybe to granular fertilizer)

• Contents vary – microorganisms, products of microbes, plant extracts, hormones, biostimulants

• Many claims - Enhance soil quality, enhance ability of plant to mine nutrients, stimulate plant metabolism, reduced fertilizer and/or pesticide rates, etc.

Nutritionals, Biostimulants,

Supplements, Microbes …


• Some manufacturers may have data to support

product efficacy

• There are few published scientific studies

• The soil/plant system is complex – there is much

that we don’t know – some of the impacts can be

difficult to measure

• The science is developing

Nutritionals, Biostimulants,

Supplements, Microbes …


Do your homework - Ask the right questions

» What is the mode of action?

» Is there independent data to support the claims?

» Be your own scientist - Test it yourself against

your current program, “industry standards”,

unfertilized turf

How do I Know if it Works?


For Your Spreader


The Power of SGN

SGN – Size Guide Number – average diameter of

fertilizer granules in millimeters (mm) times 100.

Typical examples:

• Standard = SGN 250

• Mini = SGN 150

• Micro (greens grade) = SGN 90


The Power of SGN

SGN # particles per 10 grams # particles per sq ft*

250 700 127

150 4100 744 * Based on blend containing 25% N, applied at 1 lb N per 1000 sq ft.


Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers

Fertilizer products with characteristics

that allow increased plant uptake and

reduce nutrient losses to the

environment when compared to an

appropriate reference

product.(AAPFCO, 2009)


Increased Uptake

37% increase in N recovered in

clippings from XCU vs urea

(Dr. Max Schlossberg, Penn State University, 2014)


(Brown et al., 1982)

0%

10%

20%

30%

Sandy Loam

Ammonium Nitrate UF IBDU

0%

10%

20%

30%

Sand

Ammonium Nitrate UF IBDU

Reduced Loss – Nitrogen leaching

Pe

rce

nt

of

N a

pp

lie

d r

ec

ove

red

in

le

ac

hate

Pe

rce

nt

of

N a

pp

lie

d r

ec

ove

red

in

le

ac

hate


Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers:

• Impact the amount/form of N in soil solution

• Time N availability to coincide with plant growth

• Increase fertilizer N uptake

• Decrease potential for loss


STABILIZED NITROGEN

Nitrogen Stabilizer: A substance

added to a fertilizer which extends

the time the nitrogen component of

the fertilizer remains in the soil in

the urea of ammoniacal form.

(AAPFCO 2001)


Stabilized Nitrogen

• Not a slow or controlled release fertilizer

• Affects soil enzymes, not the fertilizer

• Results in extended amount and time of

availability in soil

• Nitrogen product that contains either or both a:

• Urease inhibitor: NBPT (AAPFCO)

• Nitrification inhibitor: DCD (AAPFCO)


Stabilized Nitrogen Urea must be converted into plant-available N

Urea hydrolysis:

Urea [CO(NH2)2] ammonium (2NH4+)

ammonia volatilization can occur

Nitrification:

Ammonium (NH4+) nitrate (NO3

-)

high leaching potential, denitrification

urease

nitrifying

bacteria


Stabilized Nitrogen

Urea hydrolysis:

Urea [CO(NH2)2] ammonium (2NH4+)

This retains N in the form of urea for longer, decreasing the

amount of N lost through volatilization.

urease

NBPT (urease inhibitor) slows down the

conversion of urea to ammonium


Stabilized Nitrogen

Nitrification:

Ammonium (NH4+) nitrate (NO3

-)

This retains N as ammonium, which can be temporarily

held on soil exchange sites, or taken up by the plant.

With less nitrate present, the potential for losing N through

leaching or denitrification is reduced.

DCD (nitrification inhibitor) slows down the

conversion of ammonium to nitrate

nitrifying

bacteria


• High soil pH

• Lack of irrigation (or irrigation control)

• High precipitation or over-irrigation

• Steep slopes – solubilizes upon watering so

particle movement is not a concern

• Application flexibility (spread or spray)

Why Use Stabilized Nitrogen?


CONTROLLED RELEASE

FERTILIZERS

Conventional water soluble fertilizer

materials (substrates) are given a protective

coating or encapsulation (water insoluble,

semipermeable or impermeable with pores)

that controls water penetration and the rate

of nutrient dissolution and nutrient release.

(AAPFCO, tentative)


Controlled Release Fertilizers

• Fertilizer granule is coated with a homogeneous

polymer layer.

• Polymer is highly resistant to damage, retaining

its controlled-release character after handling.

Polymer Coating


• Water enters coating through pores, dissolving nutrients

inside of coating.

• Nutrients release by diffusion, moving from high

concentration (inside coating) to low concentration (soil

solution outside of coating).



Factors affecting nutrient release

• Soil moisture

• Soil temperature

• Coating thickness



(Dr. Doug Soldat, University of Wisconsin, 2012)

Kentucky bluegrass, Clipping Yield

DURATION CR® 120 fertilizer



Kentucky bluegrass, Clipping Yield

(Dr. Doug Soldat, University of Wisconsin, 2012)

(DURATION CR® 120 fertilizer)

(DURATION CR® 90 fertilizer)


Kentucky bluegrass, Nitrogen Uptake

(Dr. Max Schlossberg, Penn State University, 2014)



(G. Hochmuth, Univ of FL, 2010)

Nitrogen Leaching, May - Oct

Approx. 41 inches precip + irrig.

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

0 1 2 2 (SIFI) 3

To

tal N

in

Le

ac

ha

te

(lb

N /

10

00

sq

ft)

PCU Rate (lb N / 1000 sq ft)


Why Use Controlled Release Fertilizers?

• Uniform, Predictable Release

• Turfgrass Safety

• Longevity Options - Application Rate, Frequency

• Efficient Nutrient Use

• Limited loss to the environment via leaching,

runoff, volatilization, and/or denitrification

Saving Time and Money, and Optimizing

Productivity with EEFs

• Round 1 – Fert + Pre-emergent

• Round 2 – Fert + Broadleaf

• Round 3 – Fert (+ Insecticide, if needed)

• Round 4 – Fert + Broadleaf

• Round 5 – Fall Fert

5-Application Lawn Care Program

Urea/PCSCU blend; Six-week intervals

• Round 1 – Fert (CRN) + Pre-emergent

• Round 2 – Broadleaf only

• Round 3 – Fert (CRN) (+ Insecticide, if needed)

• Round 4 – Broadleaf only

• Round 5 – Fall Fert (urea)



Alternative 5-Application Lawn Care Program

3-month CRN blend; Six-week intervals


• Lower fertilizer rate (~30%) and cost (~20%)

(apply less N because it’s more efficient)

• Better broadleaf weed control

• Fewer call-backs

• 20% more lawns covered in Rounds 2 and 4

• Less time cleaning up hardscapes

• Less handling of bags

How did it work?




Added Value With Enhanced Efficiency

Fertilizers

• Reduced nutrient loss to the environment

• Consistent nutrient delivery – reduced feast/famine

• More efficient plant uptake (use less N)

More bang for your buck

Less handling (worker safety), transport, equipment wear

• Extended nutrient availability

Potential for fewer applications

Optimization of labor

Provide additional value-added services

• Think outside the box


Thank You

The data and material contained herein are provided for informational purposes only.

No warranty, express or implied, is made including, but not limited to, implied warranties

of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, which are specifically excluded.

Results may vary based on a number of factors, including environmental conditions.

Before use, consult the product packaging and labeling for information regarding the

product’s characteristics, uses, safety, efficacy, hazards and health effects.

Neither the individual researcher referred to, nor their respective universities,

endorse the products mentioned herein.

SPREAD IT & FORGET IT®, the SPREAD IT & FORGET IT logo, UMAXX®, the UMAXX logo, UFLEXX™,

the UFLEXX logo, HYDREXX®, the HYDREXX logo, NUTRALENE®, the NUTRALENE logo, NITROFORM®,

the NITROFORM logo, POLYON®, the POLYON logo, DURATION CR®, the DURACTION CR logo, XCU®,

the XCU logo, NITAMIN® and the NITAMIN logo are trademarks of Koch Agronomic Services, LLC. KOCH

and the KOCH logo are trademarks of Koch Industries, Inc. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC.

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