The principles of fertilizer use for sports turf

Abstract. Fertilizer application to sports turf has a significant effect on the playing characteristics of the surface as well as its aesthetic appearance. Nutrient availability affects leaf and root density, infestation by weed species, resistance to fungal pathogens, tolerance to wear, drought and cold in the turf grasses and surface hardness. The increasing use of high sand content, free-draining root zones for sports areas is leading to a larger demand for nitrogen and also to an increased interest in the use of slow-release nitrogen fertilizers. The optimum nutrient application rates are examined, particularly for nitrogen and the direction in which research on fertilization practice should take is considered.