Figure 3. An example product label identifying the micronutrient sources and application rates.
sq. ft.) treatment is to carry the micronutrient through thatch and into the
soil. Turfgrasses most often respond
more quickly to a foliar feeding than a
granular or soil drench application. The
addition of a surfactant may, or may not,
be recommended.
Thorough and uniform coverage is
essential when applying a micronutrient
to turf in water. The diameter of spray
droplets varies depending on the spraying pressure and the spray tip installed in
the nozzle body on the sprayer boom.
The diameter of spray droplets may
range from very coarse (> 550 microns)
to very fine (< 150 microns). Manufacturers often rate the effectiveness of each
type of spray tip as good, very good, excellent or not recommended, for specific
applications (e.g., broadcast liquid fertilwww.landscapeirrigation.com
izer; contact and systemic fungicides,
herbicides and insecticides; …).
Since an application may, or may not
result in a visual improvement in foliage
color or turfgrass health even though
test results indicate that one or more
micronutrients are in the low or deficient ranges, it may be advantageous to
treat a limited amount of turf with a
product of interest before making a
broadcast application over the entire
LI
sports field.
Dr. Tom Samples is an extension specialist for turfgrass management; Dr. John
Sorochan is associate professor, turfgrass science and management; and Adam Thoms is
research leader, all at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Brad Jakubowski is an
instructor at Doane College, Crete, NE.
Landscape and Irrigation 13
