Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Technologies

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Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers

Controlled & Slow Release Fertilizers, and Stabilized Nitrogen

Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers

Urea Coated Technology

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More products and custom blends are available in addition to those listed online. Contact the Turf Care Supply, LLC sales manager in your region for details. 

What are Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers?

Enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) have been specially developed to provide needed nutrition to turfgrass and ornamental plants. Each product has its own unique characteristics and valued advantages. EEFs provide increased nutrient uptake, while reducing potential losses to the environment through leaching, denitrification, runoff and volatilization. They are also more effective at regulating the release of nitrogen to the turfgrass resulting in more efficient nutrient delivery. By tailoring fertilizer programs that incorporate these advanced technologies, you can optimize nutrient efficiency and minimize nitrogen loss.


At Turf Care Supply, we manufacturer and supply three types of enhanced efficiency fertilizers technologies; controlled-release, slow-release and stabilized nitrogen. Below describes each technology and products we have available.

Controlled-Release Fertilizer Technology

Controlled-Release Fertilizer products are designed to provide a slow, even distribution of nitrogen with extra longevity. Release rate and longevity are controlled by coating thickness and soil temperature. CRF technologies protect turf, improve fertilizer efficiency, reduce leaching and runoff, which results in an eco-responsible choice to ensure consistent plant health.

Polymer Coated Urea (PCU)

Polymer Coated Urea (PCU) consists of urea granules coated with a thin layer polymer, typically a polyurethane. Polymer coatings are extremely durable and resist damage during handling and transport, preserving their controlled-release properties. Through osmotic diffusion, water diffuses through the polymer layer and slowly dissolves the urea core. Over the course of many weeks or many months, urea slowly diffuses through the polymer layer providing an even, controlled distribution of nitrogen over a large portion of the growing season. Once the urea has been depleted, the thin polymer shell is degraded by soil microbes. PCU's are an environmentally responsible technology due to providing gradual nitrogen release, which reduces leaching and runoff.

Products Available:

TTRU™ Trusted Time-Release Urea 

TTRU™ Trusted Time-Release Urea is a controlled-release fertilizer developed with a PROVEN enhanced efficiency technology, innovatively manufactured with a precise and durable coating for outstanding and reliable performance. 

Longevity: 60, 90, 120 & 180 Day

SGN: Standard and Mini

Benefits:

  • PROVEN - Controlled-release technology that provides a reliable and gradual release of nitrogen for extended nutrition and consistent, vibrant and healthy turf. 
  • SUSTAINABLE - Greatly reduces the potential for nutrient leaching, denitrification, runoff or volatilization. 
  • ECONOMICAL - Maximizes ROI on labor and operating cost. Is less costly per day to maintain healthy turf.
  • DURABLE - Stays intact during transportation, blending and application to maintain consistent release of nutrition and more efficient release of nitrogen in the first 7 days! 
  • PRECISE, METERED NUTRITION - Reduced likelihood of feast/famine cycles, growth flushes and burn. Strengthens turf against weed and disease pressures. 
  • FLEXIBLE - Longevities available in 60, 90, 120, 180 day. 
Spec Sheet

Slow-Release Fertilizer Technology

Slow-release nitrogen (N) sources, also called “slowly available,” are a part of many turfgrass fertilization programs. They provide greater longevities of available N than quick-release sources, and are safer to use on turfgrass because of their lower burn potential. This group includes both coated and uncoated sources.

Sulfur-Coated Urea (SCU)

Sulfur Coated Urea (SCU) is an economical slow-release fertilizer produced by coating a urea granular with Sulfur and wax. Sulfur is very effective at repelling water; however sulfur coatings can be brittle. To protect the sulfur from breaking down too quickly, a wax is applied over the sulfur layer to stabilize the nitrogen release curves. Once water finds its way inside, the granule expands and the coating factures allowing urea to flow out. SCU works on the premise that some granules will take longer to fracture and release their nutrients than others. Over the course of time, this “mix” of release times results in continuous nitrogen feeding.

Products Available:

SCU™ 

SCU™ is a slow-release sulfur coated fertilizer and pioneer in the enhanced efficiency fertilizer technologies. SCU's sulfur and wax coating slows the breakdown of the urea particle, which provides extended nutrition from 6-8 weeks. The standard SGN of SCU has a nitrogen (N) content of 39% and a sulfur content of 13%.

Longevity: 6-8 Weeks

SGN: Standard and Micro

Benefits:

  • Economical Slow-Release Fertilizer
  • Increases Nitrogen Efficiency (ROI)
  • Improves Plant Nutrition
  • Reduces Leaching and Runoff
  • Adds Sulfur to the Soil 

Polymer Coated Sulfur Coated Urea (PCSCU)

Polymer Coated Sulfur Coated Urea (PCSCU) is urea coated with sulfur and polymer. PCSCU also has an outer wax layer. Because of the improved performance provided by the polymer layer, PCSCU nutrients are released more consistently over a longer time than traditional SCUs. PCSCU is essentially the “Cadillac” of coated SRN fertilizers; it is the most expensive to manufacture but provides the longest and most steady nitrogen release properties. 

Products Available:

XCU® Slow-Release Fertilizer 

XCU® Slow-Release Fertilizer is unique to the market and provides reliable, steady nutritional uptake for up to 10 weeks of plant response. XCU® fertilizer has a high nitrogen (N) content (43%) with the addition of sulfur (4%), which provides added nutrition to the plant and can amend the soil. The value of a slow-release fertilizer like XCU® is that more area can be covered per application using less fertilizer, which is more efficient and economical. Also, with less N lock-off, more of the applied N is taken up and utilized by turfgrass or plants in the desired time frame. 

Longevity: 45 day / 10 Weeks

SGN: Standard and Mini

Benefits:

  • Unique polymer and sulfur coating technology provides gradual, consistent and cost-effective slow-release nitrogen. 
  • Dual-coated technology provides up to 10 weeks of plant response. 
  • Contains sulfur which offers additional nutrition to the plant and can amend the soil. 
  • Highly flowable for ease of handling and consistent application. 
  • Environmentally responsible with low potential for nutrient leaching, denitrification, runoff or volatilization. 
  • Increased percentage of XCU® fertilizer in blends delivers increased value and improved nutrient uptake
  • Fewer applications can reduce overall fertilizer expense, fuel costs and equipment upkeep; allows for optimization of labor. 
Spec Sheet

Reacted Slow-Release Nitrogen

Reacted Slow-Release Nitrogen consists of urea granules which are not coated with any polymers, sulfur, or waxes. Instead, formaldehyde is reacted with urea granules to produce both methylene urea and urea-formaldehyde molecules. These new molecules form chains of varying lengths which help prevent against volatilization and leaching. This technology works harmoniously with natural soil microbes. Over time, microbes slowly break apart these chains, resulting in continuous nitrogen availability for up to 26 weeks. Reacted slow-release nitrogen is influenced by soil temperature and moisture content. 

Products Available:

NUTRALENE® Slow-Release Fertilizer 

NUTRALENE® Slow-Release Fertilizer is a methylene urea (MU) source with a guaranteed analysis of 40-0-0. Widely applied by turfgrass professionals, the consistent, long-lasting release of nutrition for up to 16 weeks provides a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution to effectively increase root growth, which helps to improve turfgrass health. NUTRALENE® fertilizer offers a range of sizes giving you the maximum in rate flexibility. 

Longevity: 16 Weeks / 4 Months

SGN: Standard, Mini, and Powder

Benefits:

  • Slowly releases its 47.5% WIN, which enriches soil’s microbiology, helping to increase root growth and density. 
  • Extended feeding with fewer applications. 
  • Release is not affected by mechanical damage. 
  • Less potential risk of nitrate leaching or runoff. 
  • By providing a more reliable and sustainable release, the peaks and valleys caused by more inconsistent fertilizers are avoided. 
  • Gradual, consistent release enhances steady, sustained growth to minimize flushes. 

NITROFORM® Slow-Release Urea-Formaldehyde (UF) Fertilizer 

NITROFORM® Slow-Release Urea-Formaldehyde (UF) Fertilizer delivers a steady, balanced and dependable source of nitrogen (N) for up to 22 weeks or more. For more than 50 years, turf and ornamental professionals have relied on NITROFORM® fertilizer, due to its exclusive release properties that make it one of the safest and longest-lasting slow-release sources of N available. NITROFORM® fertilizer granules can be broadcast, or the powder can be suspended in water, spray-applied or root-zone injected for trees and shrubs. NITROFORM® fertilizer is a long-lasting source of N that consistently delivers long-term nutrition to help support root development and sustained growth. 

Longevity: 22 Weeks / 5.5 Months

SGN: Standard, Mini, and Powder

Benefits:

  • One of the safest and longest-lasting slow-release sources of N available. 
  • Nitrogen from methylene urea (MU) and UF. 
  • Over two-thirds is WIN. 
  • Reduced thatch development. 
  • Increased growth of beneficial soil microorganisms. 
  • Consistent feeding for up to 22 weeks or longer with fewer applications 
  • Less potential risk of leaching into groundwater. 

Stabilized Nitrogen Fertilizer Technology

Stabilized Nitrogen is designed to inhibit the conversion of urea into nitrogen products which are no longer readily available for plant use. Stabilized nitrogen products reduce volatilization, nitrification/denitrification rates and leaching potential. In essence, stabilized nitrogen disrupts the nitrogen cycle. It helps urea absorb efficiently into the soil and keeps it readily available for plant use over longer time frames. Stabilized Nitrogen can be divided into two categories: “urease inhibitors” and “nitrification inhibitors".

Urease Inhibitors (NBPT)

Urease inhibitors are designed to inhibit the activity of “urease,” a key enzyme in the metabolic pathway of soil bacteria. When urea granules are deposited on the soil surface, they must be dissolved by water to be absorbed into the soil. If bacteria on the soil surface reach urea before it absorbs into the soil, the bacteria convert urea into amonia gas which immediately volatizes into the atmosphere. Urease inhibitors (such as NBPT) prevent this process from taking place.

Products Available:

ALL-N™ Nitrogen Inhibitor 

ALL-N™ Nitrogen Inhibitor controls nitrogen loss due to volatilization so your turf gets more, the environment gets less, and you get more out of your fertilizer investment. ALL-N™ is a urease inhibitor product that helps reduce loss of urea nitrogen as ammonia until rainfall or water can move urea into the soil. In laboratory tests, ALL-N™ coated urea reduced nitrogen volatilization from 67% to only 10%. By reducing this volatility, more nitrogen can remain in the soil longer than untreated urea. 

SGN: 250

Benefits:

  • Reduces nitrogen loss into the atmosphere through volatilization and increases retention in the soil for longer periods of time. 
  • Improves color, vigor and overall plant nutrition. 
  • Improves return on fertilizer investment and increases customer satisfaction due to improved nitrogen efficiency and uptake. 
Spec Sheet

Urease Inhibitors (NBPT) and Nitrification Inhibitors (DCD)

 

Stabilized nitrogen fertilizers that contain both urease inhibitor (NBPT) and a nitrification inhibitor (DCD) our considered DUAL inhibitors and offer protection from volatilization and extend the availability of nitrogen in the soil.

Products Available:

UFLEXX® DUAL Stabilized Nitrogen Fertilizer 

UFLEXX® stabilized nitrogen fertilizer is a soluble granular with a dual-inhibitor

technology (NBPT and DCD) that protects against three forms of nitrogen (N) loss - leaching, denitrification and volatilization. UFLEXX allows time for nitrogen to move into the root zone and be available to the turf/plant longer. As a result, there is immediate green-up, followed by sustained turfgrass color for up to 8 weeks.


UFLEXX stabilized nitrogen fertilizers offers flexible application due to solubility and compatibility with many turf protection chemicals, easily adapting to existing spray or spread turf management programs.

Longevity: 8 Weeks / 2 Months

SGN: Standard and Mini

Benefits:

  • Dependable performance across varying soil conditions (e.g. pH, temperature, moisture). 
  • Environmentally responsible with low potential for nutrient leaching, denitrification, runoff or volatilization. 
  • Quick green-up and sustained color. 
  • Performs equally well as a granular N component in blends or as a soluble N source in spray tanks. 
  • Virtually eliminates N loss due to mower pick-up. 
  • Can be tank-mixed with many turfgrass protection chemicals. 

UMAXX® Stabilized Nitrogen Fertilizer 

UMAXX® stabilized nitrogen fertilizer is a soluble granular with a dual-inhibitor technology that provides protection against all three forms of nitrogen (N) loss — leaching, denitrification and volatilization. It is a urea-based product with a 46-0-0 analysis containing both urease inhibitor (NBPT) and a nitrification inhibitor (DCD) to extended the availability of nitrogen in the soil. A completely soluble granular, UMAXX fertilizer is equally effective whether spread dry or dissolved in a spray mix. UMAXX stabilized nitrogen fertilizer was specially formulated for the golf market for versatility of application and 12 weeks of dependable extended nitrogen availability. UMAXX can reduce labor strain, avoid turf famine and efficiently sustain turf health leading to reduced weed and disease pressure. 

Longevity: 12 Weeks / 3 Months

SGN: Standard and Mini

Benefits:

  • Dependable performance across varying soil conditions (e.g. pH, temperature, moisture). 
  • Quick green-up and sustained color. 
  • Environmentally responsible with low potential for nutrient leaching, denitrification, runoff or volatilization. 
  • Virtually eliminates N loss due to mower pick-up. 
  • Completely soluble granular can be sprayed or spread. 
  • Can be tank-mixed with many turfgrass protection chemicals. 

Manufacturing Sales

If you are interested in discussing how Turf Care Supply, LLC manufacturing capabilities can serve you best, including blending, coating, co-packing, tolling or private label, contact our manufacturing sales:

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