Sports Turf Manager Association

By Dr. Kent Kurtz - STMA Historian

Turfgrasses need a total of 16 essential nutrients for healthy growth and development. Three of these essential nutrients – carbon, oxygen and hydrogen – are derived from the air or are found in water and are beyond the control of the sports turf manager.

The 13 remaining elements either come from the soil or are added by the sports turf manager through the addition of fertilizer materials. These 13 elements are further divided into macronutrients, which include the primary elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and the secondary elements calcium, sulfur and magnesium.

The remaining elements are known as micronutrients, which consist of iron (Fe), zinc (An), boron (B), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca), chlorine (CI) and molybdenum (Mo). These elements are required by the grass plant in minute or trace amounts, but they are very important to the health and vigor of turfgrasses on sports fields. The key to plant availability is the soil pH; however, other factors may control the availability of micronutrients, such as the type of soil-sand versus clay or loam, or the source of irrigation, domestic or reclaimed water.

Most micronutrients are available at a neutral pH and decrease as the soil pH becomes more alkaline (over 7.0) However, micronutrient availability increases as the soil pH becomes more acidic and these micronutrients may become extremely toxic to plants below 6.0.

Determining Micronutrient Availability/Deficiency

There are three ways that micronutrients can be assessed by availability in turfgrasses and soils: chemical soil analysis, plant tissue analysis and through observation of the sports field or turfgrass area. Soil analysis is not always accurate since tests may reveal unavailable forms along with available forms. Tissue analysis will reveal the content in the plant at that particular moment while observation by the sports turf manager may not provide a true picture or pinpoint the exact element because some elements do not exhibit visual signs or may be masked by other factors.

Most Common Micronutrients

Micronutrients are used by plants in very small amounts but are just as essential for plant growth as large amounts of the primary and secondary nutrients. Micronutrients must be maintained in balance for all nutrients and water to be used efficiently in turfgrasses on sports fields. According to most experts, there are three micronutrients that are necessary to maintain green color and plant vigor in turfgrass plants. The most frequently used micronutrient and one that is contained in many fertilizer formulations is iron. The other two micronutrients that are essential are zinc and manganese.

Iron

Iron is required by the plant cell in the formation of chlorophyll, which provides the plant with a healthy, green color. Iron also serves as a catalyst for biological processes such as respiration, symbiotic fixation of nitrogen and photosynthesis. Applications of iron, either through the leaf or applied to the soil, may be temporary in soils with high levels of calcium. This condition is known as lime-induced iron chlorosis and can be corrected with applications of elemental sulfur and/or acidifying fertilizers containing ammonium. When ammonium converts to nitrate there is an acidifying effect in the soil and iron and other elements are most available in high pH soils.

Zinc

Zinc is a component of several plant enzymes and is a part of plant auxins, which control the synthesis of indoleacetic acid that regulates growth compounds. Zinc also affects the intake and efficient use of water by plants.

Manganese

Manganese is an activator for enzymes in plants. In the absence of manganese, plants cannot use the iron which they have absorbed. Manganese assists the iron in chlorophyll formation which causes yellow turf to green up.

Other Micronutrients

Micronutrients boron, copper, chlorine and nickel are used in very small quantities by plants and are generally available in most soils. Some of these elements can be toxic from excess amounts which may be found in sewage effluent water and sewage sludge used as a granular fertilizer on plants.

Sports Field Application of Micronutrients

Application of micronutrients to sports turf is a common practice in many parts of the United States. Many fertilizer products include the primary micronutrients as a standard practice.

Care should be taken to supply the essential nutrients and micronutrients to sports fields to avoid unhealthy growth and color. Many reputable fertilizer companies have micronutrient packages that will enhance the color and vigor of the turf. Improper construction of athletic fields, fields with poor drainage and poor aeration and soils with high or low pH ranges all have problems with deficiencies or toxicity of micronutrients. Have the soil analyzed, utilize tissue tests and apply high quality fertilizer materials with micronutrients to maintain a quality sports turf.

It’s in the mail. The 2005 membership certificates and cards were mailed during May to all members who joined or renewed their membership prior to May 1. If you did not receive your packet, please call headquarters at 800-323-3875. If you joined or renewed after May 1, your certificate and card will be sent during June.

Step up to the Plate. Nominations for the STMA Board of Directors are being accepted by the Nominations Committee. If you are interested in being considered for national board leadership, or wish to nominate a member, please provide the person’s name, contact information, and a brief biography to headquarters at STMAinfo@sportsturfmanager.org by July 5.

It is time to start planning for the Field of the Year submittals. Spring and early summer is prime time to photograph your fields. The complete awards packet will be available online on June 10, or you can request a packet from headquarters at 800-323-3875. Applications will be accepted in four field categories: professional, collegiate, schools/parks, and complex for football, baseball, soccer and softball. To be considered for the Complex of the Year Award, the facility must have a minimum of four fields and host a minimum of three different sports. All applications must be received at STMA Headquarters by Fri., Oct. 14.

It’s time to begin planning your trip to the STMA Conference.

How can you convince your employer to send you to the Orlando conference?

Continuing education and industry connections are crucial to your success and the success of your sports facility. Here are some suggestions to help your employer understand how your attendance at the STMA Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Fla. can add value to the overall operation of the facility. At the end of the article is a one page document you can present to your employer that outlines the costs and benefits of your attendance.

Educate yourself on the Conference and Exhibition

• Provide an overview of the size and scope of the Conference. It may be helpful to give your employer a copy of the brochure. (The brochure will be ready in August).
• Pinpoint specific sessions you plan to attend, and tie their relevance to your sports facility.
• Highlight the trade show hours you plan to attend.
• Cite the suppliers and equipment manufacturers you plan to meet.
• Discuss the networking opportunities you will have with peers who share challenges similar to the ones you have.
• Detail the CEUs you will receive toward recertification.
• Explain how innovations in products, new research, and cutting edge management techniques continually change, and why it is important to stay abreast of those changes.
• Reinforce how the success of your sports fields ultimately depends upon the continued professional development of you and your staff.

Know the Cost

• Make a case for efficient and effective use of your facility’s training dollars. By attending the STMA Conference and Exhibition, you will be exposed to the most relevant education and technology available in one place, making it the most effective use of training dollars.
• Show how the conference registration fee includes almost all your meals.
• Research airfares and drive times. Orlando has very low airfare costs from almost anywhere in the U.S. You may be able to beat the cost of airfare while spending a reasonable amount of time in the car.

Have an Action Plan

• Develop a plan for how operations will continue in your absence. Make sure you are accessible by phone or by pager to address any concerns that might arise in your absence.
• Promise to prepare and present a report on the information you learned and how you plan to put it into practice at your facility.
• Demonstrate how you will share the technical information learned with your staff for their continuing educational development.
  

05 New May conf attendance doc.pdf (28 KB)