ABSTRACT
Response of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris) maintained under putting green conditions to nitrogen (N) fertilizers can be characterized based on turf quality, growth response and N uptake. With the natural organic materials, source of the N carrier can influence longevity of turf response and N availability. This study evaluated natural organic and synthetic N carriers and combinations. Creeping bentgrass was fertilized at either 5 or 7.5 g N m−2 rates with ten N sources over a two year period. Turf performance was evaluated during the fall and spring based on turf quality, growth rates, and N uptake rates. A rate response was found for all parameters. Based on nitrogen uptake rates, products containing natural organic carriers combining bone meal, feather meal, wheat germ and soybean meal were most efficient at providing N for plant growth. By comparison, these materials had a N uptake rate seasonal average 100% higher than a sewage sludge based material which had the same water insoluble nitrogen (WIN) content.
