Nutrition of Florida lawns when summer fertilizer blackout period is enforced

Abstract

In Florida, multiple counties restrict the application of N to turfgrass and landscapes during the summer rainy season. These summer fertilizer blackout periods could impact turfgrass quality and the functionality of warm-season turfgrass species. A 2-year study was conducted at the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC) and West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC) to assess turfgrass performance of ‘Floratam’ and ‘Classic’ St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze] as well as ‘Empire’ and ‘Palisades’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.), respectively, receiving no N fertilization during summer blackout period using eight fertilization programs compared to an unfertilized control. Visual quality, normalized difference vegetation index, percentage green cover, and dark green color index were assessed biweekly. Roots were collected before and after the fertilizer blackout period to determine root dry weight. While no differences were detected in St. Augustinegrass at the FLREC and zoysiagrass at the WFREC, all fertilized treatments except urea reached and maintained an acceptable turfgrass quality (≥6) throughout the blackout period, suggesting that urea by itself was not sufficient to support an optimal turfgrass performance during a fertilizer blackout period. The addition of P to nutrition programs did not influence turfgrass quality. Results indicate that N source is the most important factor to sustain turfgrass quality year-round in Florida.