Evaluation of Exponential Fertilization Technique for Cultivation of Turfgrass during Early Growth Period

Abstract

The exponential fertilization method is based on the theory of supplying steady-state nutrition to young seedlings during the early, exponential growth stage. The objective of the research was to find the most effective method of fertilizing turfgrass during the early growth stage following seedling emergence. The field experiment was performed on turfgrass (tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) comparing a check (no fertilizer applied), two conventional fertilization techniques (equal additions and linearly increasing application rates over time) to the exponential additions fertilization method to test the relative effectiveness of this latter technique relative to conventional methods. Results show that the exponential growth period for fescue is the first 5 weeks following planting. Biomass accumulation, total nitrogen (N) concentration, and N content per seedling in turfgrass seedlings fertilized using the exponential addition fertilization technique were 32, 35, and 70% greater than those treated with traditional methods, respectively.