Phosphorus' Role in Lawn Health

March 18, 2018

 THE NECESSITY OF PHOSPHORUS IN SUSTAINING YOUR LAWN'S HEALTH! Healthy lawns depend on a well-balanced fertilizer program that provides the essential elements it needs like: Nitrogen (N) , Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). A healthy lawn is necessary to successfully ward off weeds, insects and disease. Although most fertilizers contain a variety of elements, in this article we are going to focus on just phosphorus (P)! Phosphorus is a macronutrient (just like nitrogen and potassium), and when needed, is required in larger quantities because it is normally bio-unavailable in the soil. Phosphorus, which is found in every living plant cell is vital in seed germination, establishing root growth and plant development. Without phosphorus, grass would appear stunted, especially in early stages of growth. Discover why phosphorus’ role in turf and soil is important to the overall health of a lawn:


 WHAT IS PHOSPHORUS?

Phosphorus or “P” is a primary plant nutrient that is involved in the metabolic processes responsible for transferring energy throughout the plant. It is crucial to introduce phosphorus when first establishing turf grass and remains important as the grass continues to grow. The presences of phosphorus in soil helps turf grow lush and thick because it promotes strong root growth. An abundance of phosphorus allows plants to grow more efficiently.


 PHOSPHORUS BENEFITS YOUR LAWN BY:

  • Enhancing Plant Energy Reactions; phosphorus plays a vital role in the energy transfer of plants. Phosphorus is responsible for the source of energy that drives many chemical reactions within plants: ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and ATP (Adenosine triphosphate), setting the stage for many chemical processes essential to plant health to occur.
  • Assisting in the Transfer of Genetic Material from One Generation to the Next; this primary nutrient is a vital component to the building blocks of DNA. The building blocks of genes and chromosomes that are transferred from one generation to the next, essentially provide the “blueprint” for plant growth and development.
  • Optimizing the Transfer of Sugars and Starches within Plants; the most important chemical reaction for plants is photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the reaction that utilizes the sunlight’s energy to convert carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of chlorophyll, into simple sugars and future energy sources. The sugars are used as future building blocks for the cell structure and storage components. Energy is then stored in the form of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), rendering it available as an energy source for other reactions in the plant.


 HOW TO TELL IF A LAWN HAS A PHOSPHORUS DEFICIENCY

Phosphorus deficiencies can be difficult to identify because they often mimic other nutrient deficiencies or pest invasions. It’s advised to do a soil test to determine deficiencies prior to applying phosphorus. For example, low “P” in soil can take on the signs of nitrogen deficiency in new growth, appearing yellow and weak. An inadequate amounts of phosphorus in the soil can also represent itself as reduced leaf expansion and surface area, in addition to limited numbers of blades. Both shoot and root growth could also look stunted, leading to less root mass to uptake nutrients and water. Phosphorus deficiencies can result as a buildup of carbohydrates through photosynthesis, resulting in foliar deficiency (this can be seen as an abnormal dark green leaf color). Sugars can accumulate as well, causing anthocyanin pigments (a reddish–purple color) to appear.

NOTE: Carbohydrate buildup and anthocyanin pigments will usually occur at extremely low phosphorus levels in soil. Be careful to check for insect damage as well; pest invasion damage can resemble the look of anthocyanin pigments.


 PHOSPHORUS REGULATIONS ON TURF – SOIL TESTING IS KEY FOR APPLYING THIS NUTRIENT

Phosphorus is tightly regulated because this nutrient has been known to cause the degradation of surface water quality. Fortunately, most soil already contains enough phosphorus to sustain root development and growth of established turf. Regulations have been established to allow lawns to have the nutrients they need, when needed (example: early turf development), while keeping the waterways clean. Each state has different phosphorus regulations, so fertilizers should be selected carefully based on turf’s needs and state regulations. Talk with your country extension office for more information about phosphorus regulations in your state. Also, conduct a soil test to determine if phosphorus is lacking within you soil and at what rates it should be applied. If you’re starting a new lawn, plants will benefit from a starter fertilizer that contains phosphorus to help develop healthy root systems, stimulate growth, and assist with energy reactions throughout the plant.


 BEST TIMES TO APPLY PHOSPHORUS

  1. Establishing new turf (Starter fertilizer).
  2. Curing a lack of phosphorus necessary for plant root development and growth (determined by a soil test).
  3. Repairing turf – reseeding or sodding damaged areas of the lawn (Starter fertilizer applied to those areas).

Phosphorus is associated with healthy root development and growth, but plants use it for many other processes. Phosphorus is vital, especially when starting a new lawn, repairing a lawn or curing a lack of phosphorus in the soil as well as sustaining the health of established turf and plants all year round.


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.

References:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/phosphorus-plant-growth.htm
https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/garden-care/what-do-nitrogen-phosphorus-and-potassium-do/
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AY/AY-334-W.pdf
https://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/lawns/fertilizing-lawns/
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/phosphates-make-grass-grow-faster-efficiently-37265.html
https://www.ipni.net/ppiweb/bcrops.nsf/$webindex/ECBABED567ABDCDD852568EF0063C9F4/$file/99-1p06.pdf
https://passel.unl.edu/pages/informationmodule.php?idinformationmodule=1130447043&topicorder=2
https://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0076.htm

The TURFReport Highlights:

Additional Articles and Insights

January 30, 2026
White Plains, NY – January 30, 2026 – Interoceanic Corporation (“IOC”) announced today that its affiliate Spring Valley USA (Spring Valley) , has acquired the blending and packaging assets and business of Turf Care Supply, LLC, a leading manufacturer and blender of turf and ornamental fertilizers as well as ice melt. The combination of Spring Valley and Turf Care Supply’s blending business, forms one of the largest independent lawn and garden fertilizer platforms in North America. The integrated business will have approximately 250 employees and will operate eight manufacturing and blending facilities across seven states, enabling coast-to-coast coverage of customers. By uniting two highly complementary companies, this acquisition creates a world-class turf & ornamental supply company positioned to deliver enhanced value to both professional and retail customers. “This acquisition is a transformative step for our organization,” said Elio Mazzella , President of IOC and Spring Valley. “By bringing Turf Care Supply into the IOC family, we are significantly expanding our reach and capabilities in serving the lawn and garden industry. The combined company will have an unrivaled production footprint and product portfolio, which means we can offer our customers faster service, greater efficiency, and innovative solutions on a national scale. Our goal is to build a world-class platform that blends the strengths of both businesses – the supply chain efficiencies of the combined business and the family-business values – will drive growth for our customers and vendor partners.” With the closing of the transaction, Turf Care Supply, LLC will be renamed Allied Nutrients and continue to manufacture leading enhanced efficiency fertilizers (“EEF”) out of its Martins Ferry, Ohio facility. Mark Mangan, President of Allied Nutrients, commented, “we want to thank our long-time employees that will be joining the IOC family and wish them well. We have known the IOC team for many years and believe this will be a great home. At the same time, we are excited for our remaining employees as we focus our resources and efforts on providing the best EEF solutions to the turf and ornamental market.” With this acquisition, the combined company now operates manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, giving it the ability to blend and package fertilizer products and ice melt closer to customers in every major region. Turf Care Supply’s sites in Hatfield (MA), Sebring (FL), Cleveland (TN), and Catoosa (OK) will join Spring Valley’s existing plants in Jackson (WI), Fostoria (OH), Greenville (TX), and Longwood (FL). This expanded footprint significantly reduces transit times and enhances supply reliability for our customers. Maintaining strong customer relationships during and after the integration is a top priority. “All of our customers will continue to receive the outstanding service and product quality they expect, now with the added benefit of a truly national production network,” Mazzella added. Each major customer will be supported by an expanded team dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition and ongoing success. Strategically, the merger of Spring Valley and Turf Care Supply unlocks significant commercial synergies that will benefit both our customers and vendor partners. Together, the company will offer the most comprehensive product portfolio in the industry. “This combination is about building a platform that is perfectly suited to support our customers growth,” said Mazzella. “By combining our R&D and product development efforts, we intend to bring new, high-value solutions to market that neither company could have achieved alone.” The integration of the two businesses is already underway, with a focus on maintaining operational continuity and exceptional customer service throughout the spring season. The company also emphasized that all Turf Care Supply employees are being welcomed into the organization, and that the combined workforce will play a crucial role in driving the business forward. “This is an exciting moment for all of us. By uniting two great teams, we’re creating a stronger company with a shared commitment to our customers’ and vendors success, ” Mazzella noted. About Interoceanic Corporation (IOC): Based in White Plains, NY, IOC is a diversified family-owned company specializing in the production, marketing, and distribution of fertilizer and industrial chemical products. Other notable affiliates of IOC are PCI Nitrogen, Columbia River Nitrogen and EM² Enterprises. With this transaction, the group of businesses consist of over 600 employees. IOC’s family values, entrepreneurial spirit, and supply chain expertise have driven its growth from a regional fertilizer distributor into an international platform that provides reliable, high-quality products. About Allied Nutrients: Based in Brunswick, OH, Allied Nutrients specializes in providing enhanced efficiency fertilizers that support turfgrass and ornamental plant health. Through world-class manufacturing and research and development, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products, including SCU, PCU, PCSCU, reacted slow-release nitrogen, and urease inhibitors. 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January 30, 2026
White Plains, NY – January 30, 2026 – Interoceanic Corporation (“IOC”) announced today that its affiliate Spring Valley USA (Spring Valley) , has acquired the blending and packaging assets and business of Turf Care Supply, LLC, a leading manufacturer and blender of turf and ornamental fertilizers as well as ice melt. The combination of Spring Valley and Turf Care Supply’s blending business, forms one of the largest independent lawn and garden fertilizer platforms in North America. The integrated business will have approximately 250 employees and will operate eight manufacturing and blending facilities across seven states, enabling coast-to-coast coverage of customers. By uniting two highly complementary companies, this acquisition creates a world-class turf & ornamental supply company positioned to deliver enhanced value to both professional and retail customers. “This acquisition is a transformative step for our organization,” said Elio Mazzella , President of IOC and Spring Valley. “By bringing Turf Care Supply into the IOC family, we are significantly expanding our reach and capabilities in serving the lawn and garden industry. The combined company will have an unrivaled production footprint and product portfolio, which means we can offer our customers faster service, greater efficiency, and innovative solutions on a national scale. 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At the same time, we are excited for our remaining employees as we focus our resources and efforts on providing the best EEF solutions to the turf and ornamental market.” With this acquisition, the combined company now operates manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, giving it the ability to blend and package fertilizer products and ice melt closer to customers in every major region. Turf Care Supply’s sites in Hatfield (MA), Sebring (FL), Cleveland (TN), and Catoosa (OK) will join Spring Valley’s existing plants in Jackson (WI), Fostoria (OH), Greenville (TX), and Longwood (FL). This expanded footprint significantly reduces transit times and enhances supply reliability for our customers. Maintaining strong customer relationships during and after the integration is a top priority. “All of our customers will continue to receive the outstanding service and product quality they expect, now with the added benefit of a truly national production network,” Mazzella added. Each major customer will be supported by an expanded team dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition and ongoing success. Strategically, the merger of Spring Valley and Turf Care Supply unlocks significant commercial synergies that will benefit both our customers and vendor partners. Together, the company will offer the most comprehensive product portfolio in the industry. “This combination is about building a platform that is perfectly suited to support our customers growth,” said Mazzella. “By combining our R&D and product development efforts, we intend to bring new, high-value solutions to market that neither company could have achieved alone.” The integration of the two businesses is already underway, with a focus on maintaining operational continuity and exceptional customer service throughout the spring season. The company also emphasized that all Turf Care Supply employees are being welcomed into the organization, and that the combined workforce will play a crucial role in driving the business forward. “This is an exciting moment for all of us. By uniting two great teams, we’re creating a stronger company with a shared commitment to our customers’ and vendors success, ” Mazzella noted. About Interoceanic Corporation (IOC): Based in White Plains, NY, IOC is a diversified family-owned company specializing in the production, marketing, and distribution of fertilizer and industrial chemical products. Other notable affiliates of IOC are PCI Nitrogen, Columbia River Nitrogen and EM² Enterprises. With this transaction, the group of businesses consist of over 600 employees. IOC’s family values, entrepreneurial spirit, and supply chain expertise have driven its growth from a regional fertilizer distributor into an international platform that provides reliable, high-quality products. About Allied Nutrients: Based in Brunswick, OH, Allied Nutrients specializes in providing enhanced efficiency fertilizers that support turfgrass and ornamental plant health. Through world-class manufacturing and research and development, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products, including SCU, PCU, PCSCU, reacted slow-release nitrogen, and urease inhibitors. These solutions are marketed under leading brands, such as XCU, TTRU, UFLEXX, UMAXX, Nutralene, and Nitroform. 
The hidden cost of filler: how to maximize your fertilizer ROI. Shows hand holding filler .
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Want to maximize your ROI and turf health? Ditch the filler and replace your blends with Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers (EEFs), Micro packs, Soil Amendments, or organic materials. These alternatives can reduce your seasonal application of bags, reduce overall material cost and deliver better results!
A large fertilizer manufacturing facility
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A forklift is sitting in a garage next to another forklift.
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When handling fertilizers and pesticide it is important to follow suggested guidelines and prioritize safety to protect yourself, others, and reduce environmental impact. Here are some general measures to follow: 1.Read and Follow Instructions: Carefully read and understand the product labels, safety data sheets (SDS), and any accompanying instructions provided by the manufacturer. Follow all recommended guidelines, precautions, and application rates.
Show More