01 Jun, 2023
Slow and Controlled Release nitrogen (N) fertilizers provide two important benefits to plants. They extend the longevity of nitrogen availability, and they increase the percentage of N that is actually taken up by the plant. How? Because they protect the nitrogen from being lost into the environment through leaching, volatilization, and denitrification. But what % of SRN/CRN is needed in the bag to get optimal turf nutrition? When untreated urea is applied, 40% of the N gets absorbed into the turf, and when SRN/CRN is applied, that number almost doubles - increasing to 70%+ (both values data supported). When they are blended together, the result is somewhere in the middle. The more SRN/CRN you include, the better return you get on your nutrient investment. If you can’t apply 100% SRN/CRN (and most rarely do), increasing the amount in the blend in any increment, say from 30% to 50%, gets more and more N in the plant, right where you want it. If extended longevity is what you are after, you need to aim high.