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Bermudagrass Response to Reactive Layer Coated Fertilizers

Dep. Crop Science, Box 7620 North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. 27695

^* Corresponding author.

Recent polymer chemistry research has introduced a material manufactured by a reactive layer coating (RLC) process which shows promise for minimising N loss through leaching. Laboratory studies have shown that RLC coated ureas were successful at slowing N release and have potential as slow-release N fertilizers for turf. This field study compared ‘Tifway’ bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davey) response to RLC ureas having different coating weights (thicknesses) with other conventional N carriers. Bermudagrass turf quality (1–9 scale, 9 = best) and shoot growth response observations were made over a 10-wk period to determine if various coating thicknesses would allow adequate N release to provide a response equivalent to other N sources. Best turf quality (7.4) for the 2-yr study was for RLC carriers that combined slow and intermediate release rate RLC ureas (12.5% or 10.8% coating + 7.2% coating) with urea. Overall turf quality was lowest (6.5) in 1987 for the RLC with the slowest release rate, a 12.5% coating (10 g N m^–2), 9.9% RLC coating + urea (10 g N m^–2), and urea (5 g N m^–2). In 1988 the RLC with the slowest release had a 10.8% coating (10 g N m^–2). Shoot growth rate in 1987 was greatest (11.9 mm wk^–1) for the RLC material with a 7.2% coating at 10 g N m^–2 and lowest for the RLC 12.5% coating (5.3 mm wk^–1). By comparison, urea applied at 5 g N m^–2 resulted in intermediate turf growth (9.4 mm wk^–1). In 1988, shoot growth rate was greatest for the 10.8% RLC + 7.2% RLC + urea combination material applied at 10 g N m^–2. Equivalent growth was noted for the urea + 9.9% RLC (5g n m^–2) and sulfur coated urea (10 g N m^–2) materials. Use of slow release RLC N carriers as turf fertilizers showed promise as a combination material with urea.

Received for publication August 19, 1991.