Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Research is underway in 3 locations statewide with funding from FDEP to quantify nitrate and phosphate leaching. Year 1 tasks (nutrient leaching from newly planted and established lawn grasses) have been completed and data are currently being analyzed. Year 1 data have evaluated N and P leaching on Empire zoysiagrass in response to various N rates and irrigation regimes at time of establishment. Data indicate that Empire shows excellent turf quality and growth characteristics at low N rates (1/4 to 1/2 lb, N per 1,000 sq. ft.) compared to St. Augustinegrass and that it will establish rapidly at these rates. Additional data have evaluated established Empire zoysiagrass and Floratam St. Augustinegrass at various N rates and irrigation regimes. These data substantiate better quality and performance at lower N rates in Empire than in Floratam. Nutrient leaching data are currently being analyzed. Additional data is available from the Jay and Ft. Lauderdale turf research
sites on this project as well. Year 2 tasks are being prepared; these include the continuation of year 1 and new projects. New projects include winter fertilization of lawn grasses and nutrient movement, phosphorus requirements and leaching in lawngrasses, and nitrogen source and application frequency effects on leaching.
Impacts
We expext to reduce nitrogen leaching and use from the commercial lawn care industry. We will verify the interim BMPs and provide science-backed data for rule or policy making for regulatory agencies. With other segments of this project, we hope to reduce water use in landscapes and to provide data to homeowners, industry, regulators, and others to show that urban turfgrass does not contribute to nonpoint source pollution.
Publications
- Trenholm, L.E. and J.B. Unruh. 2004. Florida Lawn Handbook. University of Florida Press, Gainesville, FL. Approx. 300 pp.
- Thomas, M.V., L.E.Trenholm, and E.M. Santella. 2002. Green Industries Best Management Practices. Florida Dep't of Environmental Protection, Tallahassee, FL. 60 pp.
- Saha, S.K., L.E. Trenholm, and J.B. Unruh. 2005. Water use of turf and ornamental plants due to fertilizer source. Hort Sci. In press.
- Trenholm, L.E., J.B. Unruh, and J.L. Cisar. 2003. Yearly Calendar for St. Augustinegrass Care and Culture. EDIS, UF/IFAS (in review).
- Unruh, J.B., B. Brecke, L.E. Trenholm. 2003. Weed Management in Home Lawns. EDIS ENH-884, UF/IFAS.
- Unruh, J. B., D. O. Stephenson, IV, B. J. Brecke, and L. E. Trenholm. 2005. Tolerance of seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) to various herbicides. Weed Technol. (In press).
- Trenholm, L.E. and J. B. Unruh. 2003. Figuring Out Fertilizer for the Home Lawn. EDIS ENH-962. EDIS, UF/IFAS.
- Trenholm, L.E. and J.B. Unruh. 2003. Homeowner Best Management Practices for the Home Lawn. EDIS, UF/IFAS.
- Trenholm, L.E. and J.B. Unruh. 2003. Let Your Lawn Tell You When to Water. EDIS, UF/IFAS.
- Trenholm, L.E. and J.B. Unruh. 2003. Seashore Paspalum Management for Home Lawn Use in Florida. EDIS, UF/IFAS.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Research began in 2000 to evaluate lawngrass species fertilizer requirements statewide. This research was undertaken because little previous data was available to support current IFAS turfgrass fertilization recommendations. In 2000 through 2002, this research was conducted in Gainesville, Jay, and at a sod farm in Bradenton to asses these requirements based on visual, growth, and physiological measurements. The research was expanded in Gainesville in 2002 and 2003 to collect leaching data for analysis of nitrate and ortho-phospahte leaching following fertilization. The research was greatly expanded in 2004 with FDEP funding to evaluate nutrient leaching from the various lawngrass species in Gainesville, Jay, and Ft. Lauderdale. In 2004, construction of approximately 100 plots with large PVC lysimeters buried underneath was initiated but delayed due to hurricanes. Research began on this project in 2005, looking at nutrient leaching from grasses that had jusy been
planted as sod or seed and on established grasses. In Gainesville, 'Empire' zoysiagrass was sodded and immediately fertilized with different rates of quick-release nitrogen. Data from this year indicate that high (9.9 g m-2) of N was more susceptible to leaching than lower rates (2.5 or 4.9 g m-2), especially when followed by high irrigation amounts or rainfall events. Even on newly planted sod, however, leaching was not excessive at any rates without high rainfall amounts. That year analysis of established Empire and 'Floratam' St. Augustinegrass began, with similar results reported in terms of higher rates of N and high rainfall. In Jay, few significant differences in N leaching were reported on both centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass. This work continued in 2006 in both locations, with leaching results currently being analyzed. In addition, a third study was constructed to begin in fall 2006 to determine the effects of nutrient leaching when fertilizers are applied during fall
and winter months. This research has currently begun.
Impacts
This research is being watched closely by the lawn care and fertilizer industries and is being used to provide input for current regulatory measures. With many cities and counties statewide currently considering or enacting fertilizer ordinances, these research data have helped to educate and inform elected officials of the realities of nutrient movement. The data are also being used w=in development of the FDACS Fertilizer Label Rule to take effect in 2007. When subsequent years of data are available, we expect these data to form the basis for any current or future fertilizer regulations in the state for home lawns. We expect to reduce nitrogen leaching and inappropriate fertilizer use by the commercial lawn care industry as these results become available. We will verify the interim BMPs and provide science-backed data for rule or policy making for regulatory agencies. With other segments of this project, we hope to reduce water use in landscapes and to provide data
to homeowners, industry, regulators, and others to show that urban turfgrass does not contribute to nonpoint source pollution.
Publications
- Trenholm, L.E. and J.B. Unruh. 2006. St. Augustinegrass Fertilizer Trials. J Plant Nutr. in press
- Saha, S.K., L.E. Trenholm, and J.B. Unruh. 2006.Effect of fertilizer source on nitrate leaching and St. Augustinegrass turf quality. Hort Sci. in press
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
We are currently preparing to begin nutrient leaching research on various lawn grass species at Pine Acres. Lysimeters for leachate collection have been assembled and are in the process of being put in ground for the beginning experiments in this project. The first project (spring 2005) will look at N leaching in both established St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass and on plots where new sod has just been placed to these species. In Jay, lysimeters are being installed to look at centipedegrass leaching at time of seeding and on established centipedegrass. Data collection for both locations is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2005. Additional shade work is being done on St. Augustinegrass in the greenhouse. Effects of morning vs. afternoon sunlight are being examined as well as screening of shade tolerance of a new St. Augustinegrass vs. older varieties.
Impacts
Reduction of N leaching from home lawn fertilization. Reduction in water used for home lawns. Verification of interim measure BMP recommendations. Data will provide extension agents with hard data from which to make state-wide recommendations.
Publications
- Trenholm, L.E., D. Lickfeldt, and W.T. Crow. 2005. Use of 1,3-Dichloropropene to Reduce Irrigation Requirements of Sting Nematode-infested Bermudagrass. Hort Sci. (In press).
- Trenholm, L.E. and J.B. Unruh. 2005. Warm-season turfgrass response to fertilizer rates and sources. J. Plant Nutrition. 28: (In press).
- Trenholm, L.E. and R.T. Nagata. 2005. Shade tolerance of St. Augustinegrass cultivars. Hort Tech. (In press).
- Trenholm, L.E., L.E. Datnoff, and R.T. Nagata. 2004. The influence of silicon on drought and shade tolerance of St. Augustinegrass. Hort Tech. 14(4): 487-490.
- Trenholm, L.E. and J.B. Unruh. 2004. Renovation of Turf Areas. UF/IFAS EDIS Database, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu: Univ. of Florida, IFAS. Fact sheet RFLH032.
- Unruh, J.B. and L.E. Trenholm. 2004. Turfgrass varieties for landscape use. UF/IFAS EDIS Database, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu: Univ. of Florida, IFAS. Fact sheet.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 10/01/03
Outputs
Field research has been terminated in Gainesville on St. Augustinegrass quality, performance, and nitrate leaching in response to N rates and on seashore paspalum quality and performance in response to fertilizer rates. A separate study has been finished looking at N and P leaching and water use in St. Augustinegrass and ornamental plantings in response to fertilizer source. In Bradenton, research has been terminated on St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass, and bahiagrass response to fertilization rates. In Jay, research has been terminated on St. Augustinegrass, bahiagrass, and centipedegrass on quality and response to fertilization rates. These data will be used to verify the interim measure fertilization recommendations for these grass species in a home lawn setting that were adopted in 2000 and will serve as the basis for a larger, more encompassing project to begin in 2004.
Impacts
Reduction of N leaching from home lawn fertilization. Reduction in water used for home lawns. Verification of interim measure BMP recommendations. Data will provide extension agents with hard data from which to make state-wide recommendations.
Publications
- Trenholm, L.E., L.E. Datnoff. and R.T. Nagata. 2003. The influence of silixon on drought and shade tolerance of St. Augustinegrass. Hort Science (in review).
- Trenholm, L.E., D.W. Lickfeldt, and W.T. Crow. 2003. Use of Curfew to Reduce Water Use on Fairway Bermudagrass. (In review).
- Trenholm, L.E. and R.T. Nagata. 2003. St. Augustinegrass- Made for the Florida Shade? EDIS, UF/IFAS.
- Trenholm, L.E. and J. B. Unruh. 2003. Figuring Out Fertilizer for the Home Lawn. EDIS ENH-962. EDIS, UF/IFAS.
- Trenholm, L.E. and J.B. Unruh. 2003. Homeowner Best Management Practices for the Home Lawn. EDIS, UF/IFAS.
- Trenholm, L.E. and J.B. Unruh. 2003. Let Your Lawn Tell You When to Water. EDIS, UF/IFAS.
- Trenholm, L.E. and J.B. Unruh. 2003. Seashore Paspalum Management for Home Lawn Use in Florida. EDIS, UF/IFAS.
- Trenholm, L.E. and J.B. Unruh. 2003. Warm-season turfgrass response to fertilizer rates and sources. J. Plant Nutrition (in review).
- Trenholm, L.E., J.B. Unruh, and J.L. Cisar. 2003. Yearly Calendar for St. Augustinegrass Care and Culture. EDIS, UF/IFAS (in review).
- Unruh, J.B., B. Brecke, L.E. Trenholm. 2003. Weed Management in Home Lawns. EDIS ENH-884, UF/IFAS.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 10/01/02
Outputs
Two years of field work in three locations has been completed to assess the impact of urban turfgrass fertilization on the environment and on the health and quality of turf. Data is still being analyzed on best rates, timing, and source of fertilizer for home lawns.
Impacts
This work is being done to verify the Best Management Practices recently adopted for the lawn and landscape industry in an attempt to minimize environmental impairment resulting from management of urban turfgrass.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/00 to 10/01/01
Outputs
This research was undertaken to evaluate the effects of fertilization of lawngrasses throughout the state. There are approximately 4 million acres of lawn grass in Florida, which may lead to the potential of leaching resulting from fertilization applications. The objectives are to determine optimization of nutrients for the various lawngrass species used in the state and to determine the potential for environmental impairment. Experiments are also designed to answer questions where we currently have gaps in research, many of which are important in municipal policy-making. This research is currently in progress as a total of 6 experiments in Gainesville, 3 in Jay, and 3 located on a sod farm in Bradenton. While all data are not yet analyzed and most experiments have another year to run, we are finding that there are generally few differences between mid-range and higher rates of nitrogen in turf quality and ability to photosynthesize. We are still analyzing data
regarding potential nitrate leaching resulting from fertilizers. Research planned for next year will continue this work and expand into more specific areas and further analysis of leachate resulting from fertilization.
Impacts
This research will help to protect water quality in Florida by providing answers on proper fertilization of all species of lawn grasses used in the state under varying environmental conditions. It will also answer questions for which we have no research data to be used in development of Best Management Practices, which can aidmunicipalities in policy-making.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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