Kentucky Bluegrass Seed Coating With An Organic Acid Based Fertilizer.

A new organic acid based fertilizer (Ignite; 3-12-12) has been shown to enhance germination and early season vigor with several species. Kentucky bluegrass is slow to germinate and become established. A glasshouse trial was conducted to evaluate various seed coatings combinations as to their impact on germination and vigor. Eight replications of Ignite coatings at 1, 2, or 4 l kg^-1 seed were applied with and without base and/or finish coatings and compared to an uncoated control. Twenty seeds were planted in each pot of sand at a depth of 1-2 cm. Germination was evaluated daily and shoot biomass was measured after 120 d. All coatings resulted in significant germination delays of 10-14 d. The treatments at the low rate and those without a finish coating eventually reached the same number of plants emerged after 80 d. The higher rates resulted in about a 22% reduction in viable plants and a similar decrease in biomass. The effect of the seed coating did not provide an increase in vigor and germination. Lower rates of fertilizer need to be evaluated.