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106 fertilizer intro 2 hrs

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LHAP 106 Turfgrass & Ext Softscape Presentation turf

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Slide 1 LHAP 106 T.E.S.M. Fertilizer - what is in it? Ppt. developed by E.Wheale, adapted from school of horticulture staff. Slide 2 Fertilizer Plants photosynthesize and respire to support life They are primarily made of C, H, & O What is the value of the other minerals? QUESTIONS TO ASK The answer is nearly never “add more fertilizer” to start are the plants USING the nutrients? What environmental factors affect nutrient uptake? What plant cues can we use to make decisions about nutrient use? What do plants NEED in order to take up fertilizer? Slide 3 Fertilizer Uptake and Use Fertilizer uptake and use is variable depending on: Plant growth stage (emergence, vegetative or reproductive) if you’re not working out, do you need supplements? Health of root system, Availability and quality of water Fertilizer formulation (affects availability… more info soon) Soil chemistry (CEC) & health (microbial life) Slide 4 Mineral Groupings: Minerals are divided into 2 general groups: Macronutrients (3 Primary) (3 Secondary) Micronutrients (7 Trace Elements) Slide 5 Primary Elements Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K) N-P-K is always the order that fertilizers are listed in. Slide 6 Secondary Elements Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg) Sulfur (S) Slide 7 Micro-Elements (Trace) Iron (Fe) Boron (B) Manganese (Mn) Copper (Cu) Zinc (Zn) Molybdenum (Mo) Chlorine (Cl) Slide 8 Note that this topic area applies to Turf in that it is likely the most misapplied fertilizer in the Industry, but also to plant/fertilizer relationships in general. Fertilizer is one of the most misunderstood products amongst the General Public and its important that we do not perpetuate poor practices as Horticulturists. Slide 9 Primary Elements Slide 10 Nitrogen Vital Component Think ‘New Growth’ – needed more in early stages - vegetative growth / tissue development Active within plant – moves to the new growth. Plants reduce it differently, to understand how its used, you need to study specific plants. Not reliable on soil tests due to leaching (NO3- or NH4+) Can Volatilize if the formulation is not correct N2 released by O2 loving bacteria. Ammonia released from Urea Click here to read more about the nitrogen cycle… (and many other fascinating horticulture related topics!) Slide 11 Nitrogen - Luxury Consumption (Nitrate) Beware of Luxury Consumption! Delayed maturity Rank Growth: succulent, soft growth Low tolerance to temperature/moisture variability. Prone to insect and disease attacks Deficiencies manifest as: Chlorosis (old/basal leaves) Slide 12 Nitrogen - Toxicity This is an issue with INDOOR plants During the Winter (cool temp, low light) Plants generally use more nitrates… if the microorganisms are inactive due to cold, they will not convert it into useable nitrate. Beware of Ammonium Toxicity Plants cannot safely store Ammonium like they can Nitrates. If it’s too cold, wet, or compacted, Ammonium builds up in the media b/c the bacteria are not active, and then the plant luxuriously consumes it and it causes harm in the storage tissues. Slide 13 Nitrogen deficiency: Yellowing of basal (older leaves) with dark green upper growth Slide 14 Phosphorus - P Rapid development of roots, plus: Respiration, Photosynthesis, Cell division & Differentiation Used within the plant for energy transfer. (ATP) Backbone of DNA (phosphate and sugar) Hastens maturity, forms flowers and seed Poor establishment is an indicator of low P Also Mobile read more here Slide 15 Phosphorus - P Toxicity – Maybe a dark green leaf. Iron ties up Phosphorus at low pH Calcium will also tie up Phosphorus Release mechanism in soil is microbial activity *pH is often the reason for poor P availability* Cold Temperatures also create signs of P deficiency Slide 16 Phosphorus deficiency Slide 17 Potassium (K) Controls Water movement between cells, and thickening of cell walls. Soluble salt in a plant. Highly Mobile Regulates stomatal opening Slide 18 Potassium (K) Deficiency visible as marginal necrosis Luxury Consumption may happen may lead to soil nutrient depletion may hinder magnesium uptake Slide 19 Think you got it? Grab a friend and play this game!! Slide 20 Secondary Elements Slide 21 Calcium - Ca Immobile Transported in the Xylem (water stream) Structural Nutrient - Found in cell walls - no new cells without it. Influences growth of apical meristem Prevents leaching of salts Slide 22 Calcium - Ca Deficiency terminal bud, root tip failure. Weak stems and leaf spotting leaves with reduced transpiration show damage first, new growth curls.. Poor fruit development (blossom end rot, spotting, or bitter pit). Soil Toxicity = Too much can raise pH, High pH does not mean calcium is available. Excess of Ammonium can inhibit uptake. Slide 23 Magnesium - Mg Mobile - like Nitrogen. The centre mineral element in Chlorophyll – plant enzyme activator Slide 24 Magnesium - Mg Deficiency: interveinal chlorosis in older leaves Leaves curl upwards on margins Marginal yellowing. Toxicity Rare – interferes with Trace Element Absorption Slide 25 Sulfur - S Immobile Deficiency holds back growth (used in the photosystems / photosynthesis) Chlorosis similar to Nitrogen, but in NEW growth first. Slide 26 Trace Elements Slide 27 Trace Elements Iron – Fe Respiration & Chlorophyll formation (needs Mn, Zn, Cu to be in balance) Interveinal Chlorosis (pH) Boron - B Not fully understood witches broom Manganese – Mn Absorbed in leaves looks like I.V. Chlorosis Zinc – Z Roots and Foliar Sprays/fungicides Stunted growth, poor seed formation Slide 28 Trace Elements Molybdenum (MO) Used in Nitrogen Cycle N deficiency Chlorine (Cl) Deficiency = wilt, chlorosis, bronzing Toxicity = scorching, firing leaf tips, yellowing, leaf drop Copper (Cu) Stabilizes chlorophyll – lengthens leaf life Looks like B deficiency Slide 29

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Slide 1

LHAP 106 T.E.S.M.

Fertilizer - what is in it?

Ppt. developed by E.Wheale, adapted from school of horticulture staff.

Speaker Notes

After Propagation, (including emergence and transplanting of seedlings and cuttings); Growing on and Hardening off are the next two stages.
These can be very similar: Growing on is the stage where young plants are brought through the vegetative stage.
Usually, just after flower bud set, the hardening off process (acclimatization) begins so that they can be shipped at the perfect time.
The time that a plant spends in the vegetative state is plant specific. Know your crop. How long does it take to develop?

Slide 2

Fertilizer

Plants photosynthesize and respire to support life

They are primarily made of C, H, & O

What is the value of the other minerals?

QUESTIONS TO ASK

The answer is nearly never “add more fertilizer” to start

are the plants USING the nutrients?

What environmental factors affect nutrient uptake?

What plant cues can we use to make decisions about nutrient use?

What do plants NEED in order to take up fertilizer?

Speaker Notes

photo source: https://www.turfdietitian.com/blogpost/2018/3/11/nutrient-of-the-month

Slide 3

Fertilizer Uptake and Use

Fertilizer uptake and use is variable depending on:

Plant growth stage (emergence, vegetative or reproductive)

if you’re not working out, do you need supplements?

Health of root system,

Availability and quality of water

Fertilizer formulation (affects availability… more info soon)

Soil chemistry (CEC) & health (microbial life)

Speaker Notes

Consider Ashley and Presley. Two normal folks. Ashley works out hard and they always drink protein shakes. Presley wants to look like Ashley, so they go and buy a whole bunch of protein shakes and start chugging. What’s going to happen?
Why won’t Presley get jacked?

Slide 4

Mineral Groupings:

Minerals are divided into 2 general groups:

Macronutrients

(3 Primary)

(3 Secondary)

Micronutrients

(7 Trace Elements)

Speaker Notes

There are 16 required nutrients – Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen are supplied from Carbon Dioxide in the air and water and Oxygen in growing media
They are grouped according to the concentration in the plant - an indicator of how much is needed.

Slide 5

Primary Elements

Nitrogen (N)

Phosphorus (P)

Potassium (K)

N-P-K is always the order that fertilizers are listed in.

Speaker Notes

These are dissolved in solution and taken up through the roots.
Nitrogen - Used by plants in the form of ammonium (NH4+) or nitrate (NO3-)
Phosphorus - orthophosphates
Potassium - Taken up raw as K+ it doesn’t need to be in a compound.

Slide 6

Secondary Elements

Calcium (Ca)

Magnesium (Mg)

Sulfur (S)

Speaker Notes

Often see ‘S’ as the 4th letter in a fertilizer analysis; but it can be any of these.
Calcium and Magnesium are used straight up.
Sulfur is available as Sulphate: SO4

Slide 7

Micro-Elements (Trace)

Iron (Fe)

Boron (B)

Manganese (Mn)

Copper (Cu)

Zinc (Zn)

Molybdenum (Mo)

Chlorine (Cl)

Speaker Notes

Remember how small the amount of trace element we added to the media mix was!
They are TRACE elements.

Slide 8

Note that this topic area applies to Turf in that it is likely the most misapplied fertilizer in the Industry, but also to plant/fertilizer relationships in general.

Fertilizer is one of the most misunderstood products amongst the General Public and its important that we do not perpetuate poor practices as Horticulturists.

Slide 9

Primary Elements

Slide 10

Nitrogen

Vital Component

Think ‘New Growth’ – needed more in early stages - vegetative growth / tissue development

Active within plant – moves to the new growth. Plants reduce it differently, to understand how its used, you need to study specific plants.

Not reliable on soil tests due to leaching (NO3- or NH4+)

Can Volatilize if the formulation is not correct

N2 released by O2 loving bacteria. Ammonia released from Urea

Click here to read more about the nitrogen cycle… (and many other fascinating horticulture related topics!)

Speaker Notes

Image source: https://byjus.com/biology/nitrogen-cycle/#:~:text=Nitrogen%20Cycle%20is%20a%20biogeochemical%20process%20through%20which%20nitrogen%20is,%2C%20denitrification%2C%20decay%20and%20putrefaction.
Enzymes needed for chemical reactions – amino acids, proteins, chlorophyll, DNA base pairs – all contain N.
N – primarily associated with new growth – height, new leaves, green colour, fruits, flower production, AND root tips.
CORRECT amounts produce vigorous vegetative growth and a deep green colour. Flowering crops require more when juvenile than later.
Not bound in the plant - in deficiency, plant will turn protein nitrogen into soluble form and translocate it.
Leaches easily. When testing media, do not test for Nitrogen – requires tissue sample of terminal growth – most recently matured leaf but not full size. Test petiole tissue)
Legumes can absorb elemental nitrogen – taking it from the atmosphere and converting into a form plants can use (often used in crop rotations to regenerate soil).
Every other plant must get N from Nitrates or Ammonium
VOLATILIZATION - N2 release is the process of denitrification (taught in soils class), and applies specifically to Nitrate / Nitrite

Slide 11

Nitrogen - Luxury Consumption (Nitrate)

Beware of Luxury Consumption!

Delayed maturity

Rank Growth: succulent, soft growth

Low tolerance to temperature/moisture variability.

Prone to insect and disease attacks

Deficiencies manifest as:

Chlorosis (old/basal leaves)

Speaker Notes

Let’s go back to Ashley and Presley now… what happens when Presley and Ashley go for a hike and a mountain lion starts stalking them… who’s most vulnerable?
Luxury Consumption is when a plant takes up more nutrient than it needs –
length of growing period increases and maturity is delayed.
They will often attract aphids and other pests, be weak and stretching, and overly succulent.
Not only is it bad for the plant, it increases ‘cropping time’ on bench (poor economics)
Because it’s active, the lower leaves will turn brown and die and the new leaves will stay green… and then turn light green… and then finally die.
Stunting can also happen.
Deficiencies can be caused by overwatering (it leaches), lack of O2 and lack of Formation of nitrates (micro-organisms unable to do their job). Almost never are there deficiencies because you haven’t used enough!!
If you’re not looking carefully, you might think it’s spidermites.

Slide 12

Nitrogen - Toxicity

This is an issue with INDOOR plants

During the Winter (cool temp, low light)

Plants generally use more nitrates… if the microorganisms are inactive due to cold, they will not convert it into useable nitrate.

Beware of Ammonium Toxicity

Plants cannot safely store Ammonium like they can Nitrates. If it’s too cold, wet, or compacted, Ammonium builds up in the media b/c the bacteria are not active, and then the plant luxuriously consumes it and it causes harm in the storage tissues.

Speaker Notes

Nitrogen needs to be fixed and converted from inert N2 to an active form.
Atmospheric events like lightening create nitrates that are rained down in precipitation.
Nitrates are more easily used by plants – helps with inter-nodal growth, immune systems
More on Nitrate (baltimore ecosystem study:http://www.beslter.org/virtual_tour/Nitrate.html
Easily stored by plants (not in ammonium form)
Ammonium = lush growth (discourages flowering) @ 25% or more N is ammonium/urea. Used by Rose, plug, and bedding plant growers to control growth
Ammonium typically is taken into media/soil, broken down and changed by bacteria in the soil – then re-made as nitrates available to plants
Ammonium toxicity is a concern when...
In cold, wet, hypoxic, low pH – bacteria that converts ammonium is suppressed – leading to the buildup.
Root death, small dead spots on leaves, brown patches on margins to tips, inter-veinal yellowing leads to leaf drop.
Spreads quickly, stunts growth, and there is early death.
Seedlings are more easily damaged and some are more sensitive.
‘A Grower’s Guide to Water, Media, and Nutrition for greenhouse Crops.’ – edited by david wm. Reed. Ball Publishing. Batavia, Illinois USA 1996
Ammonium is turned into nitrates when: there is “nitrifying bacteria” (beneficial micro-organisms), soil temperatures over 20 degrees, pH of 5.5-7.5, and an appropriate balance of soil moisture and oxygen (1.)
Urea (CO(NH2) 46-0-0) commonly used in fertilizer and very soluble. MUST be converted either in soil or in plant and presents dangers for toxicity… especially in such a short term crop with a small percentage of media.
Potassium nitrate association: http://www.kno3.org/product-features-a-benefits/nitrate-no3-versus-ammonium-nh4
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.061034698 - in susceptible plants, large quantities of ammonium in the soil causes plants to lose influx regulation - it seems that the root cells will try to pump it out which uses energy and leads to a reduction in growth.

Slide 13

Nitrogen deficiency:

Yellowing of basal (older leaves) with dark green upper growth

Speaker Notes

Photos taken from Annelise Dooleage presentation.

Slide 14

Phosphorus - P

Rapid development of roots, plus:

Respiration, Photosynthesis, Cell division & Differentiation

Used within the plant for energy transfer. (ATP)

Backbone of DNA (phosphate and sugar)

Hastens maturity, forms flowers and seed

Poor establishment is an indicator of low P

Also Mobile

Speaker Notes

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Phosphoric-acid#section=2D-Structure
Especially root development – essential to respiration, photosynthesis, cell division, differentiation of cells into reproductive tissues - required for seed formation.
Lesser quantity needed
Toxicity - symptom presents as: Fe deficiency - Interveinal chlorosis
P deficiency presents as: reduced plant size, deep green colour, undersides of leaf turn purple, poor establishment – Cold weather can impact P uptake and will resolve itself.

Slide 15

Phosphorus - P

Toxicity – Maybe a dark green leaf.

Iron ties up Phosphorus at low pH

Calcium will also tie up Phosphorus

Release mechanism in soil is microbial activity

*pH is often the reason for poor P availability*

Cold Temperatures also create signs of P deficiency

Speaker Notes

Upper right graphic source: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/fertilizing-vegetables/
Best practice never says, “just add more”... but because clay soils are so well buffered, we often do.
Phosphorus tie up - https://andersonscanada.com/2018/04/16/phosphorus-what-is-the-tie-up/#:~:text=In%20organic%20materials%2C%20the%20phosphorus,be%20fixed%20or%20tied%20up.
Phosphorus is a pollutant because folks are just adding more… and more… and more…. and its running off instead of being taken up by the plant. According to Andersons, it has to be ¼” (1 cm) away from the roots to be taken up, slowly via diffusion. (Passive, in solution).
Calcium tends to tie it up at higher pH. Aluminum can also do it, although we tend not to have so much aluminum in our soils. When it reacts with metals, it tends to make insoluble compounds.
Anderson also states that only 10-30% of phosphorus applied is available that season.
More frequent, lighter applications are better than singular large applications.

Slide 16

Phosphorus deficiency

Slide 17

Potassium (K)

Controls Water movement between cells, and thickening of cell walls.

Soluble salt in a plant.

Highly Mobile

Regulates stomatal opening

Speaker Notes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_cell
Found in plant as soluble salt NOT compounds like N and P.
Aids in metabolism of N to protein – helpful in hardening off the plants… and protects from disease. Essential for maturation (hardening off)

Slide 18

Potassium (K)

Deficiency visible as marginal necrosis

Luxury Consumption may happen

may lead to soil nutrient depletion

may hinder magnesium uptake

Speaker Notes

Deficiencies show up in old leaves first – marginal necrosis with no signs of chlorosis – just turns straight brown. Sometimes severe deficiency will be brown spots joining to form large masses of dead tissue.
Luxury Consumption doesn’t hurt anything, but might halt Magnesium uptake

Slide 19

Think you got it?

Grab a friend and play this game!!

Slide 20

Secondary Elements

Slide 21

Calcium - Ca

Immobile

Transported in the Xylem (water stream)

Structural Nutrient - Found in cell walls - no new cells without it.

Influences growth of apical meristem

Prevents leaching of salts

Speaker Notes

http://www.canna.ca/info-courier_calcium
Just like in the human body and our bones
An excess of it will also raise the soil pH and cause P deficit.
Can also be associated with soil structure collapse along with Magnesium
Incorporated into media as limestone along with mg and is slow release. Sometimes it will leach prematurely.
Best ratio with Mg appears to be 3-5ppm:1ppm as they can block uptake of one another.
Low transpiration rates affect uptake – Ca is carried passively through the transpirational water stream. Also if your water is low in minerals, there may be a defecit. (1)

Slide 22

Calcium - Ca

Deficiency

terminal bud, root tip failure.

Weak stems and leaf spotting

leaves with reduced transpiration show damage first, new growth curls..

Poor fruit development (blossom end rot, spotting, or bitter pit).

Soil Toxicity = Too much can raise pH, High pH does not mean calcium is available. Excess of Ammonium can inhibit uptake.

Speaker Notes

The yellow / brown spots are the result of an increased permeability of the cell membrane, which causes the release of pectinase (an enzyme) amongst other substances that can destroy the cell wall. The cells come loose from each other and burst open.
http://www.canna.ca/info-courier_calcium
The symptoms of calcium deficiency always occur quickly: within one to two weeks the first yellow spots are visible on the older leaves. The spots on the leaves usually start as small, light brown dots, which later grow in size. In most cases it is not the lower leaves of the plant, but just above it.
When the shortage continues, the grower gets confused, since the stains can also occur at the edges of the leaf, as is the case with a potassium deficiency.
Nevertheless, the difference between a calcium deficiency and a potassium deficiency is usually clearly noticeable: the spots with a calcium deficiency are sharply marked on the leaf, while the brown spots with a potassium deficiency start from the edge of the leaf and grow inwards.
Another important symptom is that the young growth of the plant has been affected. The young leaves curl down and new stems turn purple or yellow.
https://www.wilmaslawnandgarden.com/en_gb/service/blog/does-my-plant-have-a-calcium-deficiency/

Slide 23

Magnesium - Mg

Mobile - like Nitrogen.

The centre mineral element in Chlorophyll – plant enzyme activator

Speaker Notes

Do water tests so you know what you have!
High Mg relative to Ca – Calcium carbonate (lime) for balance
High Ca relative to Mg – dolomitic lime plus epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) @ 3lbs/cu yard
When in balance, use dolomitic limestone to maintain
Review – what does mobile mean?? Deficiency shows up first in old leaves as interveinal chlorosis.
Too much K ties up Mg.

Slide 24

Magnesium - Mg

Deficiency:

interveinal chlorosis in older leaves

Leaves curl upwards on margins

Marginal yellowing.

Toxicity Rare – interferes with Trace Element Absorption

Slide 25

Sulfur - S

Immobile

Deficiency holds back growth (used in the photosystems / photosynthesis)

Chlorosis similar to Nitrogen, but in NEW growth first.

Speaker Notes

Involved in formation of chlorophyll (but not IN chlorophyll) -
Roots absorb as sulphate (SO4--). Leaves can absorb Sulfur dioxide, but too much from the air will result in leaf injury
Sulfate subject to leaching
S deficiency – apply a drench of 2lbs Epsom Salt in 100 gallons of water.

Slide 26

Trace Elements

Slide 27

Trace Elements

Iron – Fe

Respiration & Chlorophyll formation (needs Mn, Zn, Cu to be in balance)

Interveinal Chlorosis (pH)

Boron - B

Not fully understood

witches broom

Manganese – Mn

Absorbed in leaves

looks like I.V. Chlorosis

Zinc – Z

Roots and Foliar Sprays/fungicides

Stunted growth, poor seed formation

Speaker Notes

Trace elements are immobile – they can move (dissolved) in the xylem stream, but they cannot be translocated through the phloem. They travel on a one-way ticket.
Micro-nutrient deficiencies show up on NEW leaves b/c old leaves cannot sacrifice
Most deficiencies are caused by our extreme refining – used to be there in fungicides, soils, water… now we’re too pure.
The line between deficient, optimum and toxic is very fine and becomes tricky in intense culture systems.
Iron is most needed micronutrient for plants and is very easily fixed/unavailable - esp by pH (greater than 4.5! Chart begins its decline at 6.0) - High P, High OM, high Sand, Low K all affect availability of Fe.
If I.V.Ch. Is not treated, youngest developing tissue will turn light yellow, then white, then DEAD. Think in humanity – anemic
Boron – not fully understood – maybe H20 and sugar translocation as well as protein synthesis
Witches broom: lack of apical meristematic growth with many sideshoots.
Manganese – essential to certain enzyme systems, looks like Iron deficiency by even the very smallest veins stay green.
Z – def uncommon in greenhouse, more in pecans or fruit trees in alkaline soil…

Slide 28

Trace Elements

Molybdenum (MO)

Used in Nitrogen Cycle

N deficiency

Chlorine (Cl)

Deficiency = wilt, chlorosis, bronzing

Toxicity = scorching, firing leaf tips, yellowing, leaf drop

Copper (Cu)

Stabilizes chlorophyll – lengthens leaf life

Looks like B deficiency

Speaker Notes

When you’re short on MO, nitrates are not absorbed even if there are tonnes in the soil (ratio 10:1 N:Mo)

Slide 29

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Presentation

106 fertilizer intro 2 hrs

turf/106 fertilizer intro 2 hrs.pptx

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