Experiencing Nature’s Science
TURF
The Effect of Huma Gro® Turf SUPER PHOS® and Competitive Products
on Bermuda Grass Shoot Biomass
Research by Mohammad Pessarakli, PhD, University of Arizona
Research Report
Results
Materials and Methods
The Bermuda grasses (Cynodon dactylon L.), variety Tifway
were grown in a randomized complete block design in
cups suspended over polyethylene tubs that are filled
with half-strength Hoagland solution prepared without
phosphorus (P) or nitrogen (N) and replaced with a fresh
solution every other week (Fig. 1). The treatments
replicated four times consisted of the following fertilizers
at two rates of P, 10% and 25%: (1) Huma Gro® SUPER
PHOS® (SP) solution (0-50-0), (2) ammonium
polyphosphate (AP) solution (10-34-0), (3)
monoammonium phosphate granular (MAP) (11-52-0),
(4) triple superphosphate (TSP) granular (0-45-0), and
(5) a control. The granular fertilizers were dissolved in
distilled water to make stock solutions. N was added to SP
and TSP to ensure a uniform amount of N throughout the
treatments. Grasses were grown for approximately two
months, shoots and roots were clipped at the beginning
of the trial to uniformly distribute grasses in all the
experimental units (cups), and the clippings were
discarded. Weekly, the shoots were harvested and their
fresh and dry weights (oven-dried at 70°C) were
measured and recorded for eight weeks.
3.0
Control
SP
AP
2.5
MAP
TSP
Weight (g)
The objective of this trial was to compare the effects of
Huma Gro® Turf SUPER PHOS® with competitive
phosphorus fertilizers on the shoot biomass of Bermuda
grass (Cynodon dactylon L.), a common warm-season turf
grass species.
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0
1
2
3
4
5
Time (weeks)
6
7
8
Figure 2. Bermuda Shoot Fresh Weight at 10% P
3.5
Control
SP
3.0
AP
MAP
TSP
2.5
Weight (g)
Objectives
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0
1
2
3
4
5
Time (weeks)
6
7
8
Figure 3. Bermuda Shoot Fresh Weight at 25% P
Figure 1. Greenhouse experimental setting
(Continued on Next Page)
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The Effect of Huma Gro® Turf SUPER PHOS® and
Competitive Products on Bermuda Grass Shoot Biomass
2.0
Experiencing Nature’s Science™
Control
2.5
SP
Control
AP
SP
MAP
1.5
AP
2.0
TSP
MAP
Weight (g)
Weight (g)
TSP
1.0
0.5
0
1.5
1.0
0.5
1
2
3
4
5
Time (weeks)
6
7
Figure 4. Bermuda Shoot Dry Weight at 10% P
8
0
1
2
3
4
5
Time (weeks)
6
7
8
Figure 5. Bermuda Shoot Dry Weight at 25% P
Conclusion
Huma Gro® Turf SUPER PHOS® contributed to a higher Bermuda grass shoot biomass than the competitive products at the same reduced rate of applied P. The beneficial effect on shoot fresh and dry weights
were classified as follows: SP > TSP > MAP > AP > control.
Full research report available upon request.
HUMA GRO® TURF Products Are Highly Efficient Due to Our Unique Delivery System
SUPER PHOS® can be applied by foliar application, according to label directions, without the risk of phytotoxicity and, when applied to soil, it
keeps phosphate available and soluble in the soil solution for rapid and controlled uptake by plant roots without being blocked by clays or
organic matter. Phosphate encourages the production of amino acids, proteins, and carbohydrates necessary for cellular division.
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