The fertilisation curve is a reliable tool to determine the nutrient needs of the plant. This is particularly necessary on sandy profiles such as greens that have hardly any capacity to retain or release nutrients.
According to part of the turfgrass science community there is not enough evidence to justify the use of different fertilisers depending on the time of the year.

Plants expressing their maximum growth potential have no more than 6% leaf nitrogen over dry matter. Depending on the species and variety this may change, but always within these ranges. But to maintain a field it is neither necessary nor useful to have the maximum growth values, so leaf nitrogen values can be correct when around 3% of N on dry matter.
The authors of the article PRECISION FERTILISATION - FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE Tom Ericsson, Karin Blombäck and Agnar Kvalbein determined that a perfect fertiliser is one that has the following proportions:
Macronutrients | Proportion | Micronutrients | Proportion |
N | 100 | Faith | 0,7 |
K | 65 | Mn | 0,4 |
P | 19 | B | 0,2 |
S | 9 | Zn | 0,06 |
Ca | 7 | Cu | 0,03 |
Mg | 6 | Cl | 0,03 |
Let's look at the steps to make a fertilisation curve:
- Choosing a fertiliser that can be applied in liquid form and that contains the nutrients in the ratio explained above.
To know the ratio of an N-P-K fertiliser. If you have an 11-2-5 fertiliser, with N 100, the phosphorus proportion by weight is 2/11*100=18. Potassium, on the other hand, would be 5/11*100=45.
Adjust the treatment to the microclimate, consider shadows, valleys or sunny heights.
- These fertilisations must be very frequent, as very small doses will be applied. Such frequent fertilisation allows the activity to be carried out with great flexibility, in order to counteract atmospheric variables such as rain or temperature drops.
- Modern and accurate applicators that can be calibrated frequently are needed.
- Fertilisations should be resumed when the soil temperature reaches 7°C. The reference values shall be made with Agrostis stolonifera. The initial dose to facilitate the exit from winter should reach 0,03Kg N per 100m2. For the rest it can be estimated with the following table.
Species | % Differential |
Poa annua | 1,12 |
Agrostis stolonifera | 1 |
Agrostis capillaris | 0,72 |
Agrostis canina | 0,71 |
Festuca rubra spp commutata | 0,55 |
Festuca rubra spp trichphylia | 0,33 |
Fertiliser dosage should be increased according to the increase in temperature and sunshine hours during the autumn flush.
The maximum values can be between 0.06-0.07 kg nitrogen per 100m2. In times of stress due to gambling, traffic or recovery, the dose can be increased by 60%.
During the most favourable climatic period, the maximum fertiliser doses should be applied.
To ensure that the fertilisation plan is effective, cuttings should be studied in detail and yields should be considered. The following can be used laboratory analysis or analyse the sample in the field with LaquaTwin.
- During the autumn, the dose should be gradually reduced as the temperature and daylight hours decrease. The final dose should be 0.03 kgN/100 m2 until the crop is finally stopped and fertilisation is stopped.
It is important to consider and document the effects of the grass strategy.
- Plant colour
- Root development
- Soil temperature
- Air temperature
- Green speed
- Firmness
- Dates of implementation
- Exact doses
- Other treatments

2 responses
First of all very interesting the material and for what you sponen you are very professional in your work and I am knowing the technical work of your work that I had no idea that the sod of an installation was so important and to achieve it with the technical quality, it took so many requirement, of the PDF sent me nutri for some questions that served me for what I explained in my previous comment, anyway excuse me, but my work of masters is of fertirrigation and related to the sugar cane and the experiment is of the action of Na (sodium) in this crop and in the soil, as you will see the information of the PDF served me in a general way for the fertilization but it does not speak anything of Na or electrical conductivity, anyway we will continue communicating because I like what you do and I am learning from your work, excuse me once again,
Grass is another crop and because of its use it needs very technical care. We like the community to leave us comments like this. From Tiloom we wish you luck and satisfaction for the mastery.