TURF'S DEFENSE AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL NITROGEN LOSS
When it comes to nutrition, most plants (including turf grass) require more nitrogen than any other element to maintain a healthy growth rate and vibrant appearance. Unfortunately, nature is quite effective at hindering both natural and synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizers from reaching their intended targets. Over the last half century nitrogen loss to the environment has forced agronomists and engineers to develop innovative fertilizer technologies that combat this problem.
There are many types of nitrogen fertilizers, including but not limited to straight urea
(immediately available N), as well as coated urea
and reacted urea
(otherwise known as slow or controlled release N). Coated urea uses a physical barrier (usually sulfur, polymer, wax, or any combination thereof) to slow the release of urea into the soil over time. Reacted urea (such as methylene urea) uses chemistry and microbial activity to control the availability of urea in the soil over time. In this feature, we’ll examine another nitrogen technology called “stabilized nitrogen.” As we’ll discover, stabilized nitrogen
can also be tied to microbial activity, however the mode-of-action is quite different from that of reacted urea. Before we can explain how stabilized nitrogen works, we must first look at the nitrogen cycle and understand how nitrogen is deposited and converted in the environment.
NITROGEN CYCLE BASICS
The nitrogen that plants use comes from many sources. Interestingly, earth’s atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen. Over time, many plants developed symbiotic relationships with nitrogen fixing bacteria such that these bacteria capture nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that can be absorbed by plant roots. Other sources of nitrogen include decaying plant matter, animal manures, and biosolids. Today, the most common source of nitrogen used for crops and turf grass is synthetic fertilizer, primarily urea and ammonium sulfate. Regardless of the source, once in the ground nitrogen is constantly being converted from one form to another via numerous biological and chemical modes-of-action.
Plants can only use nitrogen in two forms, ammonium (NH4+)
and nitrate (NO3-).
Unfortunately, nature is constantly fighting to convert nitrogen into something that plants can’t use, hence nitrogen stabilizers disrupt the nitrogen cycle in an all-out battle to keep nitrogen in the forms of ammonium and nitrate for as long as possible. When straight urea is distributed onto the ground, it is quickly converted into ammonium, however if this process occurs above ground, urea is quickly converted into ammonia gas (NH3) due to the interference of key soil bacteria. This process is called volatilization.
Once this occurs, the nitrogen is permanently lost to the atmosphere. Remember, plants prefer ammonium (NH4+), but nitrogen is often converted out of this form before plants can get to it. Even if this happens, all is not yet lost. The process of ammonium converting into nitrate (NO3-) is called nitrification.
This reaction takes place in two steps: ammonium is converted into nitrite (NO2-), and then nitrite is converted into nitrate (NO3-). These two conversion steps take place thanks to the intervention of two key soil bacteria, Nitrosomonas
and Nitrobacter.
This is important because nitrogen stabilizers have an impact on these bacterias’ ability to convert ammonium into nitrate (we’ll come back to this shortly).
The good news is, even if nitrification takes place, plants can still use nitrate as a nutrient source. The bad news is, nitrates are very susceptible to leaching.
Leaching occurs when nitrate dissolves in water and is carried out of the root zone, making it no longer accessible to plants. Nitrates are also susceptible to denitrification.
This is a process by which nitrate is converted into a nitrogenous gas and becomes lost to the atmosphere via volatilization (N2 or NO2 gas).
While the nitrogen cycle
is a bit complicated, the key message is that nitrogen-based fertilizers are constantly under attack by the environment. Nitrogen stabilizers work to hinder the environment from robbing valuable nitrogen away from plants.
WHAT IS DCD AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
DCD, formally known as dicyandiamide, is a type of nitrogen stabilizer; specifically, it is a nitrification inhibitor. Nitrification inhibitors
disrupt the conversion of ammonium into nitrate by inhibiting the first step of the nitrification process. Because nitrification is dependent on soil bacteria, DCD specifically inhibits Nitrosomonas bacteria from converting ammonium into nitrate. The result is ammonium staying present in the soil longer and a significant decrease in nitrogen leaching potential. (see diagram below)
Examples of TurfCare™ Products that contain DCD: UMAXX®, UFLEX®
For professional fertilizers, humic and AMP-XC™ enriched products available, please visit TurfCare’s online Product Catalog.
For green industry professionals or others interested in ordering Turfcare products, please contact our Customer Service
to find a distributor near you.
Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog
Turf Care Supply, LLC, a portfolio company of Platte River Equity, has officially acquired Beaty Fertilizer, the industry respected Tennessee-based manufacturer and blender of custom granular and liquid fertilizers, as well as combination products. This strategic move expands Turf Care’s manufacturing footprint, adds new product capabilities, and enhances overall production capacity. “The partnership with Beaty Fertilizer marks a major milestone in our journey and an important step forward in our mission to grow, innovate and lead in our industry,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “This acquisition is more than just expansion; it’s a powerful opportunity to strengthen our product offerings, broaden our market reach and provide greater value to our customers. By welcoming Beaty into the Turf Care family, we are reinforcing our commitment to excellence and positioning ourselves for an even brighter future.” “We are excited about this next step in the Beaty Fertilizer story. For almost 50 years, our family and our employees have worked hard to serve customers and communities with pride and heart,” said John Beaty, President of Beaty. “Now, we are embracing an opportunity for growth with Turf Care. With our combined know-how and resources, we’ll keep building on what we’ve worked so hard to create and bring even more value to our customers, employees and partners. We truly believe this partnership will keep the Beaty legacy going strong while opening up new doors for growth and innovation.” Tarun Kanthety, Vice President at Platte River, added, “We believe the acquisition of Beaty Fertilizer represents a strategic step in expanding Turf Care’s footprint and product breadth... as it scales and enhances its value proposition to customers.”
Root out Grubs, Before they Attack Yours! White grubs, the immature stage of several scarab beetles—including Japanese beetles, masked chafers, May and June beetles, and green June beetles—are a major threat to turfgrass across the Southeast. These beetles follow a complete metamorphosis (egg, grub, pupa, adult), with most species completing their cycle in one year. Eggs are laid in early summer, grubs hatch within two weeks, and begin feeding on turfgrass roots through the late summer and fall. May and June beetles differ slightly, with a two- to three-year life cycle and prolonged feeding as third-instar grubs. Grubs damage turf by severing roots, causing grass to yellow, wilt, or lift easily from the soil. Feeding is typically concentrated in patches and worsens during hot, dry weather. Wildlife digging for grubs can create further turf destruction. Healthy turf may tolerate 5–10 grubs per square foot, but damage becomes evident as populations rise or turf is under stress. Early detection and timing are essential. Scouting begins in late June, shortly after adult beetle activity peaks. Monitoring plants favored by beetles can signal egg-laying is underway. Treatment is most effective when small grubs are active—typically from mid-July through early August. For professional turfgrass managers, insecticides containing imidacloprid (Merit®), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn®), or trichlorfon (Dylox®) are the most effective tools. The primary months of preventative application of Acelepryn® is from April to end of May and Merit® from April into July - targeting grubs before they hatch. Curative treatments with Dylox® or similar products are applied July through the fall, when young grubs are feeding and most vulnerable. Always follow label directions for optimal application and safety. Timing may vary slightly by regional seasonal needs. Turf Care Supply has a variety of professional TCS Growstar insecticide fertilizers available to protect your turf and prevent grub damage, before it starts. Click on the button below to view products, contact your sales rep for addition TC Growstar products available.
Platte River Equity Portfolio Company Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc. Brunswick, OH , October 9, 2024 – Platte River Equity (“Platte River”) portfolio company Turf Care Supply, LLC (“Turf Care”) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (“Agri-Nutrients”), a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the turf & ornamental (“T&O”) industry. This strategic acquisition provides Turf Care with an established presence in the south-central United States, an enhanced product portfolio and additional manufacturing capacity. “This acquisition represents much more than a business transaction; it is a strategic step forward in expanding our reach and enhancing our customers’ growth. By bringing Agri-Nutrients into the Turf Care family, we are broadening our product portfolio, expanding our market presence and further positioning ourselves as a leader in providing innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “We are excited about joining the Turf Care team,” said Jim Montgomery, President of Agri-Nutrients. “At Agri-Nutrients, our core values center around customer service and product innovation, and we are confident that this combination will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers.” “Platte River welcomes the Agri-Nutrients team to Turf Care. This transaction underscores our long-term commitment to fostering growth through both organic and inorganic initiatives across the Turf Care platform,” said Tarun Kanthety, Vice President of Platte River. “The partnership with Agri-Nutrients strengthens Turf Care’s value-added offering, creating additional growth opportunities across the combined customer base.” B&A Corporate Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Agri-Nutrients. About Agri-Nutrients Founded in 1992 and based in Catoosa, OK, Agri-Nutrients is a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the T&O industry, predominantly selling into the lawn care, sports turf and golf course end markets. About Turf Care Supply Established in 1974, Turf Care Supply is one of the largest formulators and blenders of urea products to the T&O market. Turf Care has a comprehensive product portfolio of fertilizers, combination products (herbicide/insecticide), soil amendments and enhanced efficiency fertilizer ingredients. Turf Care's products are sold to distributors and blenders serving the commercial, residential and golf end markets. Turf Care operates four manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the eastern U.S. About Platte River Equity Founded in 2006 and based in Denver, CO, Platte River Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in established lower middle market operating companies within targeted industrial sectors where it has substantial operating and investing experience. Platte River utilizes prudent capital structures in order to invest in future growth opportunities and withstand changing economic environments. The firm also provides significant ongoing support to its portfolio companies through dedicated resources across functional areas. The firm has raised funds with committed capital in excess of $1.6 billion and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The Platte River team is the largest collective investor across its funds, deeply aligning the firm with its investors and portfolio company management teams.