Dr. Eric Miltner from Koch Turf & Ornamental's technical staff outlines new solutions to perennial agronomic problems. He discusses advancements being made in application technologies and how LCOs can incorporate them into their operations. In this webinar you will learn what new chemical fertilizer technology is available to LCOs in 2015, how these products can make your company more profitable and an example fertilizer technology program from a successful landscape operation.

1. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
KOCH TURF & ORNAMENTAL
Our Vision: To be a global leader
in making nutrients more efficient

2. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
Product Portfolio
Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers
Controlled Release Fertilizers Slow Release Fertilizers Stabilized Nitrogen

3. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
Industry Support
• Industry Tradeshows (GIS &
GIE+EXPO)
• National Association of
Landscape Professionals (NALP)
• RISE
• Turfgrass Associations
• GCSAA Silver Partner
• Golf Course Superintendent
Associations
The NALP logo is a trademark of the National Association of Landscape Professionals. The RISE logo is a trademark of Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment.

4. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
Capitalizing on Recent Innovations in
Technologies for Lawn Care
Eric Miltner, Ph.D., CCA
Agronomist

5. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
Application Equipment
Products for Your Sprayer
Products for Your Spreader

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Application
Equipment
Photo courtesy of PermaGreen Supreme, Inc.
Photo courtesy of Lawn Dawg
Photo courtesy of L.T. Rich Products, Inc.

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Ride-on Spreader/Sprayers
Photo courtesy of PermaGreen Supreme, Inc.
Photo courtesy of L.T. Rich Products, Inc.

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Ride-on Spreader/Sprayers - Advantages
• Coverage (speed / acreage)
• Operator fatigue / health
• Product placement

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Fertilizers – soil surface

10. Herbicides – plant leaves

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Ride-on Spreader/Sprayers - Considerations
• Capital investment
• Equipment transport
• Operator training / responsibility / safety
• Property size / terrain – best for every site?
Photo courtesy of Lawn Dawg

12. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
Photo courtesy of Lawn Dawg
Photo courtesy of Lawn Dawg
Photo courtesy of TruGreen
Photo courtesy of Lawn Dawg

13. Photo courtesy of TruGreen

14. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
For Your Sprayer

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• Add to spray tank (or maybe to granular fertilizer)
• Contents vary – microorganisms, products of
microbes, plant extracts, hormones, biostimulants
• Many claims - Enhance soil quality, enhance
ability of plant to mine nutrients, stimulate plant
metabolism, reduced fertilizer and/or pesticide
rates, etc.
Nutritionals, Biostimulants,
Supplements, Microbes …

16. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
• Some manufacturers may have data to support
product efficacy
• There are few published scientific studies
• The soil/plant system is complex – there is much
that we don’t know – some of the impacts can be
difficult to measure
• The science is developing
Nutritionals, Biostimulants,
Supplements, Microbes …

17. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
Do your homework - Ask the right questions
» What is the mode of action?
» Is there independent data to support the claims?
» Be your own scientist - Test it yourself against
your current program, “industry standards”,
unfertilized turf
How do I Know if it Works?

18. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
For Your Spreader

19. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
The Power of SGN
SGN – Size Guide Number – average diameter of
fertilizer granules in millimeters (mm) times 100.
Typical examples:
• Standard = SGN 250
• Mini = SGN 150
• Micro (greens grade) = SGN 90

20. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
The Power of SGN
SGN # particles per 10 grams # particles per sq ft*
250 700 127
150 4100 744
* Based on blend containing 25% N, applied at 1 lb N per 1000 sq ft.

21. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers
Fertilizer products with characteristics
that allow increased plant uptake and
reduce nutrient losses to the
environment when compared to an
appropriate reference
product.(AAPFCO, 2009)

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Increased Uptake
37% increase in N recovered in
clippings from XCU vs urea
(Dr. Max Schlossberg, Penn State University, 2014)

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(Brown et al., 1982)
0%
10%
20%
30%
Sandy Loam
Ammonium Nitrate UF IBDU
0%
10%
20%
30%
Sand
Ammonium Nitrate UF IBDU
Reduced Loss – Nitrogen leaching
PercentofNappliedrecoveredinleachate
PercentofNappliedrecoveredinleachate

24. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers:
• Impact the amount/form of N in soil solution
• Time N availability to coincide with plant growth
• Increase fertilizer N uptake
• Decrease potential for loss

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STABILIZED NITROGEN
Nitrogen Stabilizer: A substance
added to a fertilizer which extends
the time the nitrogen component of
the fertilizer remains in the soil in
the urea of ammoniacal form.
(AAPFCO 2001)

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Stabilized Nitrogen
• Not a slow or controlled release fertilizer
• Affects soil enzymes, not the fertilizer
• Results in extended amount and time of
availability in soil
• Nitrogen product that contains either or both a:
• Urease inhibitor: NBPT (AAPFCO)
• Nitrification inhibitor: DCD (AAPFCO)

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Stabilized Nitrogen
Urea must be converted into plant-available N
Urea hydrolysis:
Urea [CO(NH2)2] ammonium (2NH4
+)
ammonia volatilization can occur
Nitrification:
Ammonium (NH4
+) nitrate (NO3
-)
high leaching potential, denitrification
urease
nitrifying
bacteria

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Stabilized Nitrogen
Urea hydrolysis:
Urea [CO(NH2)2] ammonium (2NH4
+)
This retains N in the form of urea for longer, decreasing the
amount of N lost through volatilization.
urease
NBPT (urease inhibitor) slows down the
conversion of urea to ammonium

29. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
Stabilized Nitrogen
Nitrification:
Ammonium (NH4
+) nitrate (NO3
-)
This retains N as ammonium, which can be temporarily
held on soil exchange sites, or taken up by the plant.
With less nitrate present, the potential for losing N through
leaching or denitrification is reduced.
DCD (nitrification inhibitor) slows down the
conversion of ammonium to nitrate
nitrifying
bacteria

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• High soil pH
• Lack of irrigation (or irrigation control)
• High precipitation or over-irrigation
• Steep slopes – solubilizes upon watering so
particle movement is not a concern
• Application flexibility (spread or spray)
Why Use Stabilized Nitrogen?

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CONTROLLED RELEASE
FERTILIZERS
Conventional water soluble fertilizer
materials (substrates) are given a protective
coating or encapsulation (water insoluble,
semipermeable or impermeable with pores)
that controls water penetration and the rate
of nutrient dissolution and nutrient release.
(AAPFCO, tentative)

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Controlled Release Fertilizers
• Fertilizer granule is coated with a homogeneous
polymer layer.
• Polymer is highly resistant to damage, retaining
its controlled-release character after handling.
Polymer
Coating

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• Water enters coating through pores, dissolving nutrients
inside of coating.
• Nutrients release by diffusion, moving from high
concentration (inside coating) to low concentration (soil
solution outside of coating).
Controlled Release Fertilizers

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Factors affecting nutrient release
• Soil moisture
• Soil temperature
• Coating thickness
Controlled Release Fertilizers

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(Dr. Doug Soldat, University of Wisconsin, 2012)
Kentucky bluegrass, Clipping Yield
DURATION CR® 120 fertilizer
DURATION CR® 90 fertilizer

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Kentucky bluegrass, Clipping Yield
(Dr. Doug Soldat, University of Wisconsin, 2012)
(DURATION CR® 120 fertilizer)
(DURATION CR® 90 fertilizer)

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Kentucky bluegrass, Nitrogen Uptake
(Dr. Max Schlossberg, Penn State University, 2014)
DURATION CR® 45 fertilizer

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(G. Hochmuth, Univ of FL, 2010)
Nitrogen Leaching, May - Oct
Approx. 41 inches precip + irrig.
0.00
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.10
0.12
0.14
0 1 2 2 (SIFI) 3
TotalNinLeachate
(lbN/1000sqft)
PCU Rate (lb N / 1000 sq ft)

39. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
Why Use Controlled Release Fertilizers?
• Uniform, Predictable Release
• Turfgrass Safety
• Longevity Options - Application Rate, Frequency
• Efficient Nutrient Use
• Limited loss to the environment via leaching,
runoff, volatilization, and/or denitrification

40. Saving Time and Money, and Optimizing
Productivity with EEFs
• Round 1 – Fert + Pre-emergent
• Round 2 – Fert + Broadleaf
• Round 3 – Fert (+ Insecticide, if needed)
• Round 4 – Fert + Broadleaf
• Round 5 – Fall Fert
5-Application Lawn Care Program
Urea/PCSCU blend; Six-week intervals

41. • Round 1 – Fert (CRN) + Pre-emergent
• Round 2 – Broadleaf only
• Round 3 – Fert (CRN) (+ Insecticide, if needed)
• Round 4 – Broadleaf only
• Round 5 – Fall Fert (urea)
Saving Time and Money, and Optimizing
Productivity with EEFs
Alternative 5-Application Lawn Care Program
3-month CRN blend; Six-week intervals

42. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
• Lower fertilizer rate (~30%) and cost (~20%)
(apply less N because it’s more efficient)
• Better broadleaf weed control
• Fewer call-backs
• 20% more lawns covered in Rounds 2 and 4
• Less time cleaning up hardscapes
• Less handling of bags
How did it work?
Saving Time and Money, and Optimizing
Productivity with EEFs

43. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
Added Value With Enhanced Efficiency
Fertilizers
• Reduced nutrient loss to the environment
• Consistent nutrient delivery – reduced feast/famine
• More efficient plant uptake (use less N)
More bang for your buck
Less handling (worker safety), transport, equipment wear
• Extended nutrient availability
Potential for fewer applications
Optimization of labor
Provide additional value-added services
• Think outside the box

44. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
Thank You
The data and material contained herein are provided for informational purposes only.
No warranty, express or implied, is made including, but not limited to, implied warranties
of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, which are specifically excluded.
Results may vary based on a number of factors, including environmental conditions.
Before use, consult the product packaging and labeling for information regarding the
product’s characteristics, uses, safety, efficacy, hazards and health effects.
Neither the individual researcher referred to, nor their respective universities,
endorse the products mentioned herein.
SPREAD IT & FORGET IT®, the SPREAD IT & FORGET IT logo, UMAXX®, the UMAXX logo, UFLEXX™,
the UFLEXX logo, HYDREXX®, the HYDREXX logo, NUTRALENE®, the NUTRALENE logo, NITROFORM®,
the NITROFORM logo, POLYON®, the POLYON logo, DURATION CR®, the DURACTION CR logo, XCU®,
the XCU logo, NITAMIN® and the NITAMIN logo are trademarks of Koch Agronomic Services, LLC. KOCH
and the KOCH logo are trademarks of Koch Industries, Inc. © 2015 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC.