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| Establishment | |
| Paspalum absorbs very little N during the first month after planting. The grass prioritizes root development. Medium to high levels of P and K are essential for rhizosphere development, especially in salt-affected environments. Basic fertilizers with ratios of 1:2:3 (N:P:K) or 1:3:4 are adequate during this period. Rates of 0.33-0.50 lbs./1000 sq. ft. biweekly for the first month are adequate if P and K soil levels are medium to high. | |
| Grow - In | |
| Normal grow-in from sprig planting is 2-3 months, depending on sprig volume and water quality. An aggressive "bermuda-grass fertility program" will escalate the grow-in. | |
| •About 4 weeks after
planting when stolons become visible from the initial
sprigs, a complete fertilizer (i.e., 2:1:3, 1:1:2, 1:2:2,
or 1:1:1 N-P-K) should be applied at 1 lb./1000 sq. ft.
Soil temperatures should be >55F (12.8C) and pH >5.5 for maximum conversion of NH4+ to NO3-. |
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| •Repeat fertilizer applications every 2-3 weeks until grow-in is 90% complete. | |
| •Enhance grow-in by verticutting or slicing, beginning at weeks 5 or 6. Apply .50 -1 lb./1000 sq.ft. (2.4-4.8 g/ sq. m) of a highly soluble nitrate source (i.e., Ca (NO3)2 and irrigate. Repeat on 14-day cycles, verticutting in different directions each time. | |
| •If the site is sodded, fertilization is the same as for the initial stolon establishment and for the second treatment at 4 weeks. | |
| •If salt-laden water is used for irrigation, higher than normal levels of P and K plus micronutrients may be needed due to high leaching volumes. Using highly soluble nitrate sources can also be beneficial. | |
| Mature Turf | |
| The Seashore paspalums developed nutrient uptake and utilization mechanisms which provide functional growth and development under very low nutrient availability and severe nutrient imbalance situations. In general, SeaIsle 1 has lower nutrient requirements and a higher efficiency uptake system than bermudagrass or other warm season grasses. Adjust the ferility program to account for nutrients supplied by the irrigation water. | |
| Nitrogen | |
| •Paspalum will not take up NH4+ Nitrogen or urea Nitrogen directly. These compounds must be transformed to NO3- Nitrogen prior to paspalum uptake (soil temperature > 55F or 12.8C and pH>5.5). | |
| •If the soil pH <5.5, a lime addition can enhance microbial conversion of NH4+ Nitrogen or urea Nitrogen to NO3- Nitrogen. | |
| •Fertilization schedules for paspalum are essentially a cool-season grass regimen: | |
| •Moderate amounts (0.50-1.0 lb./1000 ft.2 or 0.25-0.49 kg N/100 sq. m) in the Spring and Fall months. | |
| •Minimal monthly amounts (0.33-0.66 lb. N/1000 ft.2 or 0.16-0.32 kg N/100 sq. m) during the high heat times of summer. | |
| •Optimum annual N rates range from 2-4 lb. actual N/1000 sq.ft. (0.98-1.96 kg/1000 sq. m). Compared to hybrid bermudagrasses, this amounts to 50 - 60% less N fertilizer annually in many environments.. | |
| •Avoid high N rates going into winter months to minimize succulence and predisposition to cold temperature injury. Early to mid-fall applications can range from 0.50 - 0.75 lb./1000 sq. ft./month. | |
| •If paspalum is overseeded with a cool season grass in the Fall, avoid high N applications until the paspalum is completely dormant, otherwise the paspalum may remain vigorous with a high growth rate and become more succulent. | |
| •Balance quick release N sources (rapid uptake, enhanced recovery from injury) with slow release sources in a spoon-feeding approach. | |
| •Balanced fertilizers (i.e., 10-10-10, or 19-19-19, N-P-K) can be used in 0.25-1.0 lb./1000 sq. ft. increments monthly from March to June and September to November in the northern hemisphere. | |
| •Excess chloride in irrigation water can suppress the uptake of N | |
| Potassium | |
| •Sufficient K must be supplied to paspalum on a regular schedule. Avoid exceptionally low levels in the soil. Potassium is essential for wear tolerance and stress tolerance, especially salinity/salt tolerance. | |
| •In salt-challenged environments, excess Na can suppress K uptake. High volume leaching to enhance net downward movement of salts will deplete the soil of K - it is one of the most mobile nutrients. | |
| •At least 3 - 8% K should be maintained on soil CEC sites. | |
| •On salt-affected fine-textured soils, 1-2 lbs. K2O/1000 sq.ft. (0.41 - 0.82 kg K/100 sq, m) may be needed on a 2 - 4 week schedule. | |
| •Apply K at 1.5 - 2.0 times the N rate (i.e., N:K2O ratios of 1:1.5 to 1:2.0 or N:K ratios of 1:1.25 to 1:1.66). | |
| •High rates (1-2 lbs. K2O/100 sq. ft. or 0.41-0.82 kg K/100 sq. m) should be applied during mid-fall to enhance winter hardiness. | |
| •K levels should be maintained at high levels all year, especially when poor quality effluent is used for irrigation. | |
| Phosphorus | |
| •Moderate to high levels of P should be available during establishment and grow-in. P enhances root system development. | |
| •On salt-affected sites when constant leaching is used to flush excess salts downward and away from the root system: | |
| •Increase annual rates by 25 - 50% to adjust for leaching losses. | |
| •Light, frequent applications (3 - 6 applications annually). | |
| Iron | |
| •Paspalum responds to Fe amendments and rates of * - 1 lb./1000 sq. ft./application on a monthly basis should be supplied during the growing season. | |
| Micronutrients | |
| •In
salt-challenged environments with high leaching rates,
Mn, Ca, Mg, and Fe should be closely monitored for
deficiencies. •In non-salt affected environments, paspalum may need applications of Na as a micronutrient (rock salt, Na-based broad spectrum micronutrient sources) when using potable water. |
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| Tees/Fairways | |
| •Optimum annual N rates of 2 - 4 lbs./1000 sq. ft. (0.98 - 1.96 kg/100 sq. m) in regions with winter | |
| •Optimum annual N rates of 3 - 6 lbs./1000 sq. ft. (1.47 - 2.94 kg/100 sq. m) in humid tropical regions with year round growing seasons | |
| Roughs | |
| •To prevent the roughs from going off color due to minimal N applications and low maintenance, apply high soluble N sources (i.e., calcium nitrate) at 0.33 - 0.66 lb. N/1000 sq. ft. (0.16 - 0.32 kg/100 sq. m) plus iron at .55 lb./1000 sq. ft. (0.25 kg/100 sq. m) as needed to maintain the dark green color. A light Primo® application (0.09 ai/acre) could prove beneficial in maintaining the cosmetic appearance with minimal shoot growth during high heat periods. |
