Crop Guide: Turf nutritional programs

Haifa’s nutritional concept considers the various factors that affect the growth of the turf plant,
the physiological processes that occur, and the associated nutritional demands.

The nutritional needs of the turf are determined according to several factors: nutritional needs:

♦ Climate - Each turf species has a specific growth curve, that varies between different climate zones as demonstrated by the graph below, that shows development curves of a mix of  Lolium + Poa + Festuca r. in five different climates. 
The fertilization program has to be matched to the specific situation. 

♦ Seasonal cycle of the grass - The plant requires different feeding composition at different times of the year, to support the different processes that take place at each season.

♦ Intended use - The nutrition has to be tuned according to the usage of the turf. Lawns under intensive use, such as golf courses and sports fields, require enriched nutrition to increase the strength of the turf and help resisting mechanical wear. Park lawns, on the other hand, can do with lighter feeding.

Nutrition parameters   

To optimize the nutritional program, some parameters that should be adjusted:

♦ N:K ratio - Both the total amount of nutrients and the ration between nitrogen and potassium are very important for producing quality turf. The optimal ratio changes during the turf plant's seasonal cycle. 

♦ Availability of nutrients - The nutrients in conventional fertilizers are available to the plant immediately after application, creating temporal excesses and giving rise to the development of weeds. 
Controlled release fertilizers, in contrary, provide nutrients slowly and continuously, matching the turf's requirements. 
A choice of the rate of coated nutrients approaches different growth needs and maintenance budgets.

♦ Potassium source - Various potassium fertilizers are available in the market, including potassium nitrate, -sulfate and -chloride. Potassium nitrate is superior to the other sources, as it is the only one consumed by the plant completely. 
It is fully soluble and easily absorbed, due to the synergy between the potassium and the nitrate. In addition, potassium nitrate helps combating Black Layer, with its oxidizing nature and absence of sulfate. 

To satisfy the needs of any specific turf under any conditions, Haifa offers variety of products that combine the benefits of controlled release fertilizers and potassium nitrate.

Our year-round nutritional programs comprise of formulae with different N:K ratio, addressing the changing needs of the turf plant and supporting seasonal growth processes.