Full TGIF Record # 29309
Item 1 of 1
Web URL(s):https://listings.lib.msu.edu/iowat/1991.pdf#page=69
    Last checked: 01/10/2017
    Requires: PDF Reader
Publication Type:
i
Report
Author(s):Agnew, M. L.; Kassmeyer, S. M.
Author Affiliation:Associate Professor, Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Horticulture Department; Technical Assistant, Field Research Area, University of Iowa
Title:Natural organic trial
Source:1991 Iowa Turfgrass Research Report. July 1991, p. 64-66.
Publishing Information:Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University
Keywords:TIC Keywords: Nitrogen; Poa pratensis; Organic fertilizers
Abstract/Contents:"A natural organic nitrogen trial was established in 1989 on a four-year-old 'Park' Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) stand. The grass was mowed weekly with clippings removed, dried, and weights recorded. Irrigation was applied at a rate of 1 in of water/week. Rainfall was excessive from May through mid August. The area was subjected to high temperature stress only in the fall. The purpose of this study was to compare nine natural organic fertilizers to urea. Treatments included Bioturf 10-4-4, Sustane medium grade 5-2-4, ISU experimental (10% N), Milorganite 6-2-0, Natures Preference 5-3-5, Ringer 10-2-6, Ringer 6-1-3, Howe 5-2-5 (added in 1990), Urea 46-0-0, and a control. All fertilizers were applied ant 1 lb N/1000 ft2 on May 15, June 15, August 15, and September 15, 1989. This study was replicated three times in a randomized, complete-block design. Individual plot dimensions were 5 ft by 10 ft. Data collected during the summer of 1990 included visual quality, clipping yield, and thatch development. All plots were rated weekly on a visual scale of 9 to 1. A rating of 9 is equal to a dark-green, dense turf, whereas a rating of 1 equals a straw-brown turfgrass stand. A rating of 6.0 was used as the minimum accepatable level of quality. Clipping yields were collectef on a weekly basis or when enough grass was present to collect. Clippings were collected by removing all leaf tissue above 2 in within a 21 in by 10 ft area (17.5 ft2) down the center of each plot. Clippings were placed in paper sacks and dried. Weights were recorded as grams/17.5 ft2. Core samples were collected in July, 1990 and compressed thatch depth was measured in millimeters. The core samples were taken to the lab and percentage organic matter in the thatch layer was determined. Clipping yield data is presented in Table 30. Plots fertilized with urea produced the most clippings. Unfertilized control and plots fertilized with Natures Preference produced the fewest clippings. For other fertilizers, Ringer products, Sustane fine, and ISU Experimental produced high quantities of clippings; Milorganite and Bioturf produced moderate amounts of clippings; Sustane medium and Howe 5-2-5 produced the smallest amount of clippings. Visual quality ratings are presented in Table 31. Urea had the highest overall quality while the control and Nature's Preference had the lowest quality ratings. Milorganite, Bioturf, Ringr products, Sustane fine, and ISU Experimental had the best overall quality ratings. The excessive rainfall in 1990 provided excellent growing conditions. Urea-treated plots grew excessively as indicated by the high level of clippings that were produced. This excessive growth led to a higher quality level, and the need to mow more frequently. All natural organic nitrogen sources reduced clipping yields significantly, and all but Nature's Preference provided adequate quality for most of the growing season. The performance of Howe 5-2-5 needs to be evaluated in proper context. This fertilizer source was not used in 1989. Therefore, this product is not discussed in this report because less nitrogen has been applied per plot."
Language:English
References:0
Note:Article appears as abstract
Tables
ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Agnew, M. L., and S. M. Kassmeyer. 1991. Natural organic trial. Iowa Turfgrass Res. Rep. p. 64-66.
Fastlink to access this record outside TGIF: https://tic.msu.edu/tgif/flink?recno=29309
If there are problems with this record, send us feedback about record 29309.
Choices for finding the above item:
Web URL(s):
https://listings.lib.msu.edu/iowat/1991.pdf#page=69
    Last checked: 01/10/2017
    Requires: PDF Reader
Find Item @ MSU
MSU catalog number: SB 433 .A1 I55
Request through your local library's inter-library loan service (bring or send a copy of this TGIF record)