Nitrogen in your turfgrass systems - where's it going?

You apply nitrogen (N) fertiliser and it goes places – into the soil, the plant, the air and potentially groundwater. What controls all this – how much of that valuable N fertiliser goes where and for how long – is all a factor of the Nitrogen Cycle. By the end of the class you’ll be able to understand where N goes, what makes N plant‑available and what potential environmental issues can arise. You’ll also have an idea of how much of your N is stashed where, all thanks to the Nitrogen Cycle.

Learning outcomes:

 

• Understand how plant‑available N is added via the Nitrogen cycle
• Recognise how one can lose plant‑available N, via the Nitrogen Cycle
• Know the various amounts of N that are stored in various places in the soil (thatch, soil, clippings etc)
• Be conversant with the various potential environmental fates of N in your turfgrass system and how one can change that
• Be familiar with the extensive role of microbes in the Nitrogen cycle