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Matrix-Based Fertilizers Reduce Nutrient Leaching While Maintaining Kentucky Bluegrass Growth

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Abstract

We tested the efficacy of matrix-based fertilizers (MBFs) to improve Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) growth while reducing NH, NO3, dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP), and total phosphorus (TP) compared to commercial slow-release fertilizer (SRF) Polyon®, ESN®, and Avail® in greenhouse column studies. The MBFs covered a range of inorganic N and P in compounds that are relatively loosely bound (MBF6) and more tightly bound compounds (MBF7) with Al(SO4)318H2O and/or Fe2(SO4)33H2O and with high ionic exchange compounds starch, cellulose, and lignin. The total amount of NO3 and NH4 leached was greater from columns receiving Polyon® and ESN® fertilizers than all other treatments. The MBF6+Avail® or MBF7+Avail® fertilizers leached 64–68% less NO3 than Polyon® (43-0-0) and ESN® (46-0-0), and 73–76% less TDP and TP than Avail® (10-34-0). A greater amount of NO3 was leached from the MBF6+Avail® and the MBF7+Avail® treatments than the other MBF fertilizer treatments. Shoot and root biomass were greater when plants received the Avail®, MBF6+Avail®, and MBF7+Avail® fertilizer treatments than the other fertilizer treatments. When combined with small quantities of commercial SRFs, these new MBFs were able to maintain plant growth while reducing N and P leaching. These new MBF formulations do not depend on organic or inorganic coatings to reduce N and P leaching and with further testing and development could be effective commercial fertilizers.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Sheryl Verwey for assistance with nutrient analysis and James Forester for assistance with graphic design.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Agricultural Research Service, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, 3793 North 3600 East, Kimberly, ID, 83443, USA

    James A. Entry & R. E. Sojka

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  1. James A. Entry
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  2. R. E. Sojka
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Correspondence to James A. Entry.

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Entry, J.A., Sojka, R.E. Matrix-Based Fertilizers Reduce Nutrient Leaching While Maintaining Kentucky Bluegrass Growth. Water Air Soil Pollut 207, 181–193 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0127-4

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