Influence of Nitrogen Source and Rate on Fairway Buffalograss Divot Recovery.

Buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm] requires minimal water and fertility compared to other turfgrass species. Due to its slow growth rate, recovery is a concern when cultivated on golf courses. Limited research has been conducted to explore the influence of fertility on divot recovery in buffalograss fairways. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of nitrogen source and rate on buffalograss divot recovery. Research trials were initiated in 2014 at the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center (RF) in Manhattan, KS (July 2 and August 1) and Council Grove Country Club (CG) in Council Grove, KS (July 3) on ‘Cody’ buffalograss. Research plots were maintained at 1.6 cm and 2.5 cm for RF and CG, respectively and irrigated only to prevent drought stress. Experimental design was a randomized complete block, with a 2 × 4 factorial treatment structure, with four replications. Factors were two nitrogen sources and four nitrogen rates. Nitrogen fertilizers included a 46-0-0 quick release urea and a 43-0-0 polymer coated slow release urea. Application rates were 0, 49, 98, and 147 kg N ha^-1. Quick release nitrogen treatments were applied as two half-rate applications, at trial initiation and four weeks following. Slow release treatments were applied at trial initiation. Divot recovery (0-100% scale) was determined through digital images and visual ratings, conducted weekly.  Data allowed for pooling over all experimental runs. Nonlinear regression was performed in SigmaPlot to determine weeks to reach 50% divot recovery. Slow release nitrogen treatments 49, 98, and 147 kg N ha^-1 did not decrease divot recovery duration compared to 0 kg N ha^-1. Quick release treatments of 49, 98, and 147 kg N ha^-1 reached 50% divot recovery 6, 3, and 5 days quicker than 0 kg N ha^-1, respectively. No difference was observed in weeks to achieve 50% divot recovery between 49 and 147 kg N ha^-1 using quick release nitrogen. Results demonstrate that optimal buffalograss divot recovery can be achieved with 49 kg N ha^-1 of quick release nitrogen.