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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09112013 Minutes all'Of SEBASTIAN HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 - 6:30 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1. Mayor McPartlan called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Invocation was given by Pastor Karen Leedahl, Christ the King Lutheran Church. 3. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Jim Hill. 4. ROLL CALL City Council Present: Mayor Bob McPartlan Vice-Mayor Don Wright Council Member Jerome Adams Council Member Andrea Coy Council Member Jim Hill City Staff Present: City Manager, Al Minner City Attorney, Robert Ginsburg i I City Clerk,C e Sally Y Maio Community Development Director, Joe Griffin Finance Director, Ken Killgore Golf Course Manager, Greg Gardner Police Chief, Michelle Morris MIS Senior Systems Analyst, Barbara Brooke-Reese 5. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS Modifications and additions require unanimous vote of City Council members Ms. Coy requested addition of speaker Chris Costello, Sarasota, to give a short presentation under item 12A Fertilizer Ordinance No. 0-13-10, after Dr. Trenholm, who was listed on the agenda. She said Ms. Costello spoke before the Indian River County Commission and 40 counties and municipalities on this issue. Mr. McPartlan asked for her qualifications and Ms. Coy read a list of experience for Ms. Costello which she said demonstrated her ability to answer questions relative to fertilizer and Mayor McPartlan said he had no problem with it. Mr. Wright asked how long her presentation would take and Ms. Coy said she is here to present and for Council to ask questions, so however long that takes. The City Manager requested addition of Resolution No. R-13-27 FAA JPA grant award on consent agenda item I, which he had sent to Council via email the previous day (see attached), There were no objections to either request. Regular City Council Meeting September 11, 2013 Page Two 6. PROCLAMATIONS, AWARDS, BRIEF ANNOUNCEMENTS 13.120 A. Proclamation — Constitution Week— September 17-23, 2013 -Accepted by Holly Hamilton, Daughters of the American Revolution Mayor McPartlan read the proclamation, but Ms. Hamilton was not able to attend to accept. 13.121 B. Proclamation — National Estuaries Day— Hands Across the Lagoon —Accepted by Holly Dill, Executive Director, Environmental Learning Center Mayor McPartlan read and presented the proclamation to Holly Dill, Environmental Learning Center Director, who invited everyone to attend the event at the Wabasso Causeway and ELC on September 28th C. Brief Announcements Ms. Coy announced the Fall Semester of Indian River State College is open for registration and the Sebastian campus has many class offerings. 7. CONSENT AGENDA All items on the consent agenda are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of consent agenda items unless a member City Council so requests;in which event, the item will be removed and acted upon separately. If a member of the public wishes to provide input on a consent agenda item, he/she should request a Council Member to remove the item for discussion prior to start of the meeting or by raising his/her hand to be recognized. A. Approval of Minutes —August 19, 2013 Budget Workshop/Special Meeting B. Approval of Minutes—August 28, 2013 Regular Meeting 13.122 C. Prior Approval for Council Travel Reimbursement—Advanced IEMO and Council Member Adams Attendance at FLC Legislative Policy Committee Meetings (City Clerk Transmittal) 13.123 D. Police Department Forfeiture Fund Distributions in the Amount of$344.07 to Creative Product Sourcing, Inc. for DARE (Police Transmittal, DARE Invoice) 13.124 E. Barber Street Bridge Guardrail Replacement to Meet FDOT Standards— Based on No Bids Received from Bid Invitation Accept Proposal from Southeast Attenuators of West Palm Beach in the Amount of$58,267.38 and Appropriate $6,767.48 from DST Funds to Cover Overage (PW Transmittal, Guardrail Estimate) 13.125 F. Resolution No. R-13-18—City Council Meeting Rules of Procedure (City Attorney/ Clerk Transmittal, R-13-18) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. R-12-01; ESTABLISHING THE DATES AND TIMES FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS; ADOPTING ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER; PROVIDING FOR PROCEDURES FOR AGENDA PREPARATION, AGENDA FORMAT, AGENDA MODIFICATIONS, PUBLIC INPUT, PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND VERBATIM TRANSCRIPTS; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF RESOLUTIONS OR PARTS OF RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH;AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 2 Regular City Council Meeting September 11, 2013 Page Three 13.126 G. Golf Course Cart Bids—Award Bid for Purchase of 87 Carts to Yamaha Golf Car Company and Approve Resolution No. R-13-19 Accepting Financial Proposal from Seacoast National Bank and Authorize Mayor to Execute Necessary Closing Documents (Administrative Services Transmittal, R-13-19, Proposal Evaluation, Seacoast Loan Schedule, All Bids and Loan Schedules) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING A PROPOSAL OF SEACOAST NATIONAL BANK AND APPROVING A LOAN AGREEMENT WITH SEACOAST NATIONAL BANK IN THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $299,050 TO PURCHASE GOLF CARTS FOR THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE; AUTHORIZING THE REPAYMENT OF SUCH LOAN FROM GOLF COURSE REVENUES; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF SAID LOAN DOCUMENTS TO SEACOAST NATIONAL BANK BY THE MAYOR; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF OTHER DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 13.127 H. Resolution No. R-13-26—Approving Final Plat for Collier Club Phase IIIB (Community Development Director Transmittal, R-13-26, Final Plat [4 pgs], Neel- Schaffer Certification, Area Map) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT FOR A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS COLLIER CLUB, PHASE IIIB; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS;AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 13.129 I. Resolution No. R-13-27— FAA JPA Grant for Airport Main Street Access Road Improvement (added during agenda modifications) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAA GRANT AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR MAIN STREET ACCESS ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AT THE SEBASTIAN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE. Ms. Coy requested that item F be removed for discussion and Item G be removed at the request of a member of the public. Mr. Wright requested that item I be removed for discussion by Council since it was added tonight. MOTION by Ms. Coy and SECOND by Mayor McPartlan to approve items A, B, C, D, E, F and H of the Consent Agenda. Roll Call: Ayes: McPartlan, Wright, Adams, Coy, Hill Nays: None Passed: 5-0 Item F— R-13-18 Meeting Procedures Ms. Coy requested that the last sentence on page 3— paragraph 8.B.1. which would have authorized the Chair to request that large groups be represented by one speaker, be removed since it has not been a problem and is not required by new state law on public input, and in fact by removing it makes the City more compliant with new state law than they already are. The City Attorney said Ms. Coy explained it well, and that the provision was not required, and responded to Mayor McPartlan as Chair already had the ability to request it without the clause and with the concurrence of City Council. He then read the title for R-13-18. 3 Regular City Council Meeting September 11, 2013 Page Four MOTION by Ms. Coy and SECOND by Mayor McPartlan to approve item F — Resolution No. R-13-18 as amended to remove the last sentence in 8.B.1. Roll Call: Ayes: Wright, Adams, Coy, Hill, McPartlan Nays: None Passed: 5-0 Item G — R-13-19 Golf Carts Jeff Barrett, Senior Sales Representative for EZ-GO Golf Carts, Division of Textron, had provided data for City Council prior to the meeting, and said his intent was to provide data to convince Council not to award the bid to Yamaha as referenced on the agenda. He said the bid results showed EZ-GO to be $3,765.00, or $43 per cart higher than Yamaha over the four year period. He continued that the basis of the bid was to award to the lowest responsive responsible bidder based on the net total cost including trade-in allowance. He said EZ-GO's interpretation is net total cost for the carts minus existing trades needs to be considered, and if that is not being considered, they are looking at the trade-ins as disposable value. He said his justification is that if Council is considering the trade-in value of the EZ-GO vs. the Yamaha in four years, there would be a $300 differential in favor of the EZ-GO, because Yamaha will depreciate quicker over four years. Mr. Wright said he had asked the City Manager what energy usage differences there might be between carts and was told they were negligible, and noted that Mr. Barrett's materials cited a 31% reduction in energy costs. Mr. Barrett confirmed that statement. The City Manager said the City has had a good relationship with Club Car since the inception of the Golf Course in the early 80s, and had not gone out for any competitive bids during this period of time until now, though they had reviewed other companies over the years. He said this year staff felt like they could get competitive bids and bid it out but did not get it right the first time, due to variables, interest rates, etc. and in trying to keep flexibility in the bid process to get the best value, it became difficult to compare apples to apples. He said at that time they thought Club Car was the best, sent that information out and got comments back from EZ-GO, and then made corrections based on those comments, threw out the bids and rebid it more rigidly which provided a more competitive platform for the bidders. He said in response to the second bid, Yamaha was the low bidder at $299,050, EZ-GO second lowest and then Club Car was the high bid. He said EZ-GO's unit cost on the carts was a little lower on the trade-in value, Yamaha gave us more trade-in value which made the overall bid lower. He said we shifted to 87 carts rather than 86 carts and the other two specialized carts, compared values, went to Seacoast and found a cheaper interest rate which provided a savings of$5,800 annually. He said on value of carts, staff did look at them, compared them, said all carts were equal, and though the representative states EZ-GO value is better, the same might be said by other bidders as well. He cited recent local bid awards to Yamaha, Indian River Club (electric) and Sandridge (gas cart). He said his recommendation stands that Yamaha is the best value, though he cannot advise on the trade-in value at the end of four years. The City Manager said on the statement from EZ-GO that their battery will use 31% less energy, if they are willing to put that in the contract that stipulates that the City's electric bill will go down by 31% and if it doesn't, they will come up with some money, he will recommend tabling this item. Mr. Wright asked if there was some way to know how much 2010 Yamaha carts would 9 Y be worth today and could it be determined by a few phone calls to the industry. 4 Regular City Council Meeting September 11, 2013 Page Five The City Manager said if Council wishes, staff can go back and better determine trade-in values of all of the carts, noting the other biggest reason staff didn't look into the values is the big balloon note for the current Club Cars. Mr. Wright said it might be worth getting additional information. Mayor McPartlan said he liked the idea of a 31% decrease in energy costs. Mr. Barrett said EZ-GO and Club Car hold 80% of the market, and explained how they would come in and value the trade-in carts and put that out to the dealer network and provide those numbers to the City. He said dealers do not want Yamahas. Mr. Hill said he was comfortable and confident with Greg Gardner and the City Manager to get the best possible deal for the City, and would move forward with staff recommendation. The City Attorney read the title for Resolution No. R-13-19. Mr. Wright said it would not hurt to take a couple of weeks to research the information on the energy use and trade-in value and then come back for a final decision, and if there is a substantial difference it deserves consideration. Mayor McPartlan agreed that staff should look into the energy savings. The City Manager said we did not look into efficiency issues, thought the batteries would all be comparable, and if they will put in writing that we will see a 30% reduction in electric consumption that's something we need to consider, but it was not part of the bid. He noted on September 15th the balloon payment is due whether we stay with Club Car or go to another company and we owe Club Car$103,200, which may have to come from General Fund to Golf Course Fund and then be paid back. He said we ended the Club Car lease early to try to get a new fleet before season start, so if we change now, we may not see deliverables until October/November. Mr. Hill asked if the City Manager had heard anything that would make him change his recommendation, and the City Manager said the energy savings, but doubted if we would see anything in writing, and expressed concern about the electrical setup at the Golf Course whereby there is one meter for the whole Golf Course complex and it may cost $50K to rewire it to measure the alleged savings. Mr. Wright asked if there were any independent industry standards. The City Manager said it may take some time, but if asked, staff will do look into it, but to come up with electrical consumption numbers may be difficult. Mr. Wright said he was only seeking an industry evaluation such as consumer reports. The City Manager said he was still recommending Yamaha but will research further if asked. Discussion took place on tabling the matter. 5 Regular City Council Meeting September 11, 2013 Page Six The City Attorney said his recommendation would be to reject bids, since the bid package was designed to conduct competition on certain grounds and electrical usage was not part of the package, so Council is not entitled to base its decision on that determination, then if they wish to rebid, they can do so with those issues in the new bid. MOTION by Mr. Wright and SECOND by Mayor McPartlan to reject bids and put into consideration of the new bid the electrical uses and trade-in values. The City Manager said before Council rejects the bids it is best to table the matter and let staff look into it, and if in their research they find EZ-GO is the better option, then at that time reject the bids. The City Attorney said they could table and then if they decide that these issues are a factor, then Council can reject the current bids and rebid. Mr. Hill said we are getting off-base, that the City Manager and his committee put together the package and recommended Yamaha, and we are making a mess of this, noting it may be marginal savings in electricity that is not provable, and a small savings. The City Manager said the Golf Course electric costs are approximately $60K to $75K per year. He changed his recommendation to table the item until the next meeting, let staff do research on trade-in value and changing out of electricity. Mr. Wright removed his motion, noting the trade-in value is also an important issue. MOTION by Mr. Wright and Ms. Coy to table it. Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coy, Hill, McPartlan, Wright Nays: None Passed: 5-0 Item I — R-13-27— FAA Grant—Airport Main Street Access Improvement The Community Development Director briefly explained the delay on the bid specs for the Main Street Access road improvement project and said that FAA notified them on Tuesday that they were ready to move on the $600K grant. The City Attorney read Resolution No. R-13-27 by title. MOTION by Ms. Coy and SECOND by Mr. Adams to approve item 7.1. Roll Call: Ayes: Coy, Hill, McPartlan, Wright, Adams Nays: None Passed: 5-0 8. COMMITTEE REPORTS &APPOINTMENTS City committee reports and Council Member regional committee reports. No public input or action except for City committee member nominations and appointments under this heading. 13.076 A. Natural Resources Board (City Clerk Transmittal, Application, Ad, Roster) Interview Unless Waived, Submit Nominations for One Alternate Member Position with a Term to Expire July 1, 2015 The City Clerk noted that George Millar was the only applicant for the alternate position. 6 Regular City Council Meeting September 11, 2013 Page Seven City Council briefly spoke to Mr. Millar. He was nominated by Ms. Coy and appointed by consensus. The City Clerk, on behalf of Deputy City Clerk, Jeanette Williams, asked for anyone interested in serving on City board to contact the Deputy City Clerk at 388-8215, citing openings on most City boards. 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 13.119 A. IRC Cell Tower Location —"Russell Tower" (City Manager Transmittal, P & Z Report Will Be Provided Under Separate Covert The City Manager gave a brief update on Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation by a vote of 5-2 to send a letter to Indian River County Planning and Zoning to object to the application, based on the City's code which would not allow this type of tower in this location, and based on the County Code which requires camouflaging, though not as a tree if the pole surpasses the standard height of trees, and their decision to put a flag atop the pole. Motion was begun, but the City Manager said a general consensus was sufficient. There was consensus to send the letter of objection to IRC Planning and Zoning due to non- compliance with both the City Code and County Code and that it would be an eyesore. 11. PUBLIC INPUT Bruce Zingman invited everyone to the KIRB Coastal Cleanup on September 21st starting at 9 am, in Sebastian along the riverfront. 12. NEW BUSINESS 13.128 A. Fertilizer Ordinance First Reading of Ordinance No. 0-13-10 and Set Public Hearing for October 9, 2013— Revising 0-12-06 to Restrict Fertilizing June 1-September 30 (City Attorney Transmittal, 0-13-10) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION; AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, CHAPTER 50"HEALTH AND SANITATION" BY PROVIDING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 50- 5 "FLORIDA-FRIENDLY FERTILIZER USE" BY AMENDING THE "PROHIBITED APPLICATION PERIOD"TO PROHIBIT THE APPLICATION OF CERTAIN FERTILIZER BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 30 AND BY AMENDING SECTION 50-5 (h) REGULATING FERTILIZER CONTENT AND APPLICATION RATES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT AND SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mayor McPartlan said he would hear the presenters first and then allow public input with a three minute limit. The City Attorney read the title for Ordinance No. 0-13-10. Mayor McPartlan asked for civility, no applause and no booing. 7 Regular City Council Meeting September 11, 2013 Page Eight Presentation by Dr. Laurie Trenholm, Professor of Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida 7:42 pm Dr. Laurie Trenholm, UFL, gave a power point presentation on an eight year FDEP research project in 3 OF locations around the state regarding nutrient movement, specifically nitrate and phosphorus leaching (see entire Power Point attached), and related it to the proposed blackout period during the summer months. She said the portion she was citing took place in Citra, a community north of Ocala. Powerpoint Outline: DEP Research — Nutrient Leaching •$5 million grant to study nutrient leaching in lawn grasses •Statewide project *Apply nitrogen and phosphorus to lawngrasses under a wide variety of circumstances *Completely funded by FDEP Nitrogen Rate Study - Nitrate-N Leaching from Floratam Nitrogen Rate Study -Percent of Applied N Leached from Floratam Nitrogen Source Leaching Study-Annual Load from Floratam 2008 Nitrogen Source Leaching Study-Annual Load from Floratam 2011 Research on Runoff Dr. Trenholm said the studies conclude that fertilizer application is best during the growing season, when grass is most actively growing and it has the largest need for nutrients and the best ability to take up nutrients, and June through September is when roots are at their maximum in terms of depth and density. Ms. Coy said she had questions, and Mayor McPartlan said we would get to questions after the two presentations. Presentation by Chris Costello Mr. Hill asked Ms. Costello's qualifications so it could be determined that there is no bias, noting that Dr. Trenholm conducted her unbiased test for the University of Florida. 7:48 pm Chris Costello said she lives in Sarasota, works for the Sierra Club as a regional organizer, and has worked on this fertilizer campaign since May 2007, and helps people take action. Ms. Coy asked if we can now talk about the previous speaker's affiliations and relationships to where money for that research comes from. Mayor McPartlan said we can do that during Council discussion. 8 Regular City Council Meeting September 11, 2013 Page Nine Ms. Costello had handed out a packet of information (see attached), and reviewed each of the documents. List of referenced documents: 1) list of all of the rainy season banned ordinances in the State -- some up to six years 2) list of contact information for City and County staff, and elected officials, National Estuary staff, Florida Stormwater Association and Florida League of Cities 3) pages 23 and 24 of the 2009 version of the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Manual published by IFAS — highlighted sections She said 50 Florida County governments have banned rainy season fertilizer application by codifying using the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods, said they did not use the FDEP model ordinance which are the weakest standards of FL law. 4) Palmer Ranch Master Property Owners Association letter—Turf Management Strategies responding to claim turf will suffer showing reduction in turf replacement costs over several years 5) Herald-Tribune Article Re: Sarasota Fertilizer Law—Testimony by Michael Juchnowicz, Gardenmasters of Southwest Florida Inc. 6) Trenholm Research — Citra, FL— her contention that Sebastian is closer to the southern zone and not in same zone as Citra 7) Florida hardiness zone map showing Trenholm Citra study and Cisar Research in Ft. Lauderdale 8) Trenholm conclusion on page 7 of article "Nitrate Leaching and Turf Quality in Established `Floratam' St. Augustinegrass and `Empire' Zoysiagrass from the Journal of Environmental Quality May 2011. 9) Ed Sherwood, Program Scientist, Tampa Bay Estuary Program email 10) Recent IFAS research — pages 74 -99 —John Cisar research —cited pages 82 and 83 —(highlighted sections) regarding the blackout period and page 88 regarding Fertilizer Blackout Study She said there is zero proof that the ban affects jobs. 11) Pinellas County Compliant Product List dated June 27, 2013 which lists products that can be used during the banned season 12) FL Best Management Practices by Green Industries and published by IFAS (highlighted sections) She said the BMP Manual is the safest route, said the fertilizer training required is 70 minutes and the passing grade for the entire test is 75%, and the DEP model does not work. 9 Regular City Council Meeting September 11, 2013 Page Ten Mayor McPartlan called recess at 8:11 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:24 p.m. All members were present. The following members of the public addressed City Council on the proposed ordinance to amend the existing fertilizer ordinance to further restrict fertilizer use to ban nitrogen and phosphorus application from June 1 to September 30. 8:25 pm In favor- Honey Minuse, Vero Beach, Indian River Neighborhood Association Ms. Minuse's time was extended for one additional minute. 8:30 pm Opposed - Todd Josko, Tampa, Florida Turf Grass Association representative Mr. Josko's time was extended for one additional minute. 8:35 pm In favor - Gerald Deredita, Sebastian, member of Natural Resources Board 8:37 pm Opposed - Erica Santella, Sorrento, Technical Manager for TruGreen's Florida Branches - Senior Instructor for FDEP on the BMPs—Certified over 400 individuals 8:41 pm Opposed - Steve Conrad, Melbourne, Florida certified fertilizer applicator, Brevard County business 8:43 pm Opposed - Steve Marini, Sebastian, General Manager for TruGreen in Vero Beach 8:44 pm Opposed — Mike DeAndrea, Sebastian 8:47 pm Opposed - John ??, Orlando, Horticulturist, Board Certified Entomologist 8:49 pm In favor- Frannie Southern, Sebastian 8:51 pm Opposed - Matt Volk, TruGreen Service Manager in Vero Beach, exhibited a photo of roperly applied "ring of responsibility" adjacent to water, BMP Certified trainer for FDEP 8:52 pm In favor- Kathy Cheshire, Sebastian 8:54 pm Opposed - Craig Demengues, Branch Manager, Scotts Lawn Service, St. Lucie County Pp 9 9 � 9 Y 8:57 pm Opposed — Richard Battelle, Stuart, Regional Director, Scotts Lawn Service 8:59 pm In favor— Dr. Lisa Soto, Melbourne, Executive Director of the Marine Resources Council, cited UCF research showing nitrogen in residential fertilizer and septic impact devastating to water quality — recommended adoption of seasonal restriction June 1- September 30, 50% slow release nitrogen, no phosphorus application without soil test, 10-15 foot application setback 9:03 pm In favor- Judy Orcutt, Vero Beach, Indian River Lagoon Coalition representative— provided copy of the Sebastian resolution joining the coalition of 136 organizations (see attached) 9:06 pm In favor- John Orcutt, Indian River Shores, Indian River Lagoon Coalition, Masters and PhD in Aquatic Ecology—studies seagrass losses in IRC Lagoon - cited Cisar study and National Estuary Program training 10 Regular City Council Meeting September 11, 2013 Page Eleven 9:09 pm In favor- Richard Baker, President of Pelican Island Audubon Society, no peer review papers showing the ban is harmful Mr. Baker's time was extended for one additional minute. 9:14 pm In favor- Bob Bruce, property owner in Sebastian Council Discussion Mr. Wright said all members of Council are concerned about the health of the lagoon and about jobs, and property values. He said he had tried to fertilize his own yard, then hired TruGreen, and now has a perfect lawn. He asked TruGreen what they apply and when and what had to change in their application if a seasonal ban was implemented. Erica Santella, restated her background in agronomy, TruGreen for 30+ years, writes programs for the State and responded to questions from Council. She said during the blackout period nitrogen would be applied in May whenever possible and then again after the blackout period as time allows. She said typically because grasses take up nutrients during the summer months, applicators put out lower levels of nitrogen in the dormant months, and now because of the blackouts they have to apply higher levels during that period. She said during the blackout period they can apply potassium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and but nothing is going to replace nitrogen. She said as an industry they have not used phosphorus since 2000 unless soil testing shows it is needed. Ms. Coy read various passages from the BMP which provide for using alternate nutrients such as iron FE and manganese instead of nitrogen to enhance color, especially during periods of heavy rainfall. Ms. Santella said the key word is enhancement and you have to use the BMP in its entirety and cannot take one sentence out of context. She said there are BMPs for all types of situations, and that the BMP does not support a blackout period. Ms. Coy said heavy rainfall situations can occur anytime during this season. Ms. Santella said that the first page of the BMP talks about the value of turf grass, which has a job to do to prevent soil erosion. Ms. Coy said she read the manual and has viewed the website, and watched Dr. Trenholm videos on her study. She said the contention that grass will die without nitrogen doesn't apply to her lawn, noting she would bet there are more residents who don't fertilize than do fertilize. She said all we are asking for is a reasonable ban during the rainy season in accordance with the BMPs. Ms. Santella said the law requires the City obtain input on a more stringent code from DEP, UFL and Department of Agriculture, and time after time those three agencies advise the ban is not deemed appropriate. Ms. Coy said it would just be easier to say don't fertilize in the rainy season, for four months. Ms. Santella said the Florida Yards and Neighbors Manual is for the resident and the BMP is for professionals. Ms. Coy asked why the pre and post tests were the same for certification and said she was not impressed and it should be changed. Ms. Santella said IFAS and DEP were adamant they should be the same, and said BMP training is offered to anyone who wants to take it. 11 Regular City Council Meeting September 11, 2013 Page Twelve Mr. Hill thanked Ms. Santella for coming and for her professional answers about the science, asked her if the addition of iron adds overall vigor to the turf or color, and Ms. Santella said color. Mr. Hill clarified that iron does not add energy to the plant and that healthy turf grass is a greater filter and Ms. Santella said that was correct. Mayor McPartlan asked her to leave her contact information with the City Manager. Ms. Coy asked Ms. Costello to come to the podium. Ms. Coy said Ms. Costello referenced enforcement and asked how it works in other communities. Ms. Costello said most fertilizer enforcement is done more by education, and likened it to how the seatbelt law changed our culture. In Sarasota, enforcement officers hand out warnings first, and the banned season is advertised each year. She encouraged everyone to go on-line and google "Be Floridian" an educational tool of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. She said Tampa Bay is healthier than it has ever been and sea grass is better than at 1950 levels. She said in Sarasota which has a ban in place for six years, she uses GardenMasters, a sustainable landscaper who follows the ordinance, on her own lawn and her lawn is fine. She said if you use a slow release nitrogen throughout the year with the ban your lawn is being fed during those four months so you are not starving your lawn. Mayor McPartlan cited the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Manual provided by Ms. Costello and according to her used by IFAS. She stated this is what the 50 local governments used to codify their ordinances. Mayor McPartlan continued reading from the text which indicates fertilizers are a powerful tool if used correctly, using slow release fertilizer, little or no phosphorus, keep off hard surfaces, never fertilize within ten feet of water bodies, and do not fertilize if heavy rains if forecast in next 24 hours. He said these are the things the turf professionals are talking about. He continued that it said to fertilize only when grass is growing. Ms. Costello said the growing season is much longer in this part of the State than four months, generally March to November, longer in South Florida. She said the FDEP model extracts the weakest parts of the BMP manual, and is not a direct reflection of the BMP model. Mr. Hill called Laura Trenholm to the podium. He said it was important to note she is the only one who provided Council with real science and asked her if she wanted to respond to anyone who tried to discredit her research. Dr. Trenholm responded to the question about iron and manganese and pointed out they are used in high PH soils, said the FYN manual is for homeowners, has the same information as in the BMP but may be watered down a little bit. Ms. Coy asked if the BMP is more technical and Dr. Trenholm said the message is the same, but delivering it to different parties. Mr. Hill asked Dr. Trenholm if she went into her eight year study with a desire to find results on either side, and she responded no and explained they hoped to determine if the BMP manual put out one year prior with recommended rates was actually correct, and it was found the rates were appropriate for both not inducing environmental impairment and for maintaining good quality healthy turf, with emphasis on maintaining a healthy stand of grass because grass holds the soil in place, directs stormwater runoff and filters, and provides needed nutrients. She said grasses not being fertilized are getting nutrients from somewhere. 12 Regular City Council Meeting September 11 2013 p , Page Thirteen Mr. Hill clarified the study showed in St. Augustine grass properly fertilized with proper rates using BMPs in summer months is shown to leach less nitrogen than fertilizing using BMPs in the winter months. Dr. Trenholm said it depends on where you are in the State, in South Florida plants do not go into a dormancy, but as we move north we see a dormant period and that is when you do not to fertilize. She said during the summer months we see the least amount of leaching. She said the grass goes semi-dormant in this area. Mr. Hill concluded that turf grass is aggressively growing in Indian River County in the summer months which means it would be more aggressively up-taking the nutrients during that period and she concurred. Ms. Coy said Dr. Trenholm's experience was with turf grass, and the test area was north of Ocala, and asked what bodies of water are nearby. Dr. Trenholm said there are several but the study collected leachee from installed in-ground trenches. Ms. Coy said she is concerned about runoff into the Indian River Lagoon, that data and charts mean nothing to most people when we have a dead lagoon. She read from the BMP that advises not to fertilizer before a heavy rainfall. Dr. Trenholm said if we fertilize and we irrigate properly, the majority will get to the root zone, though by default there will be some particulates, particularly with slow release, you may still have some particulate that may leach. She said we do not want to be out fertilizing when there are heavy rains forecast. Ms. Coy asked if there were any control lawns with no fertilizer used. Dr. Trenholm said there were controls, and there was no significant difference between those plots and those that used fertilizer. Ms. Coy said there is atmospheric nitrogen present and asked why a ban for four months is unreasonable and still have a healthy lawn. She said maybe we need to understand that our lawns will not be perfect if we want the lagoon. She said a person will not drink a glass of fertilizer because it is not healthy so why would we put it on our lawns. Dr. Trenholm said nitrogen and phosphorus are necessary for plant growth or the plant will ultimately die. Ms. Coy said phosphorus is endemic to our lawns and asked why we need it. Dr. Trenholm said that is true and typically it is not used but lawns vary and some are deficient in phosphorus. Mr. Hill reiterated that the eight year study funded by FDEP shows more leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus during the winter months than in the summer. He said testing soil for phosphorus is already part of our current law. Mr. Adams asked if any tests have been done in Sebastian or any plans for tests. Dr. Trenholm said to do a research experiment you need to have a facility with rigid controls, so they use only the OF properties, which are limited to four across the State. MOTION by Ms. Coy and SECOND by Mr. Wright to extend the meeting thirty minutes. There was no vote but no objections were heard. Mr. Adams asked if IFAS had a facility in St. Lucie County. Dr. Trenholm said each county has an extension office, and funding needed was the biggest issue to conduct the studies. 13 Regular City Council Meeting September 11, 2013 Page Fourteen Mr. Adams said he would have been more comfortable if he had seen research in our area, this is a lot to digest, and a decision not taken lightly, there are so many conflicting reports, and offered a compromise to require use of 50% slow release nitrogen for a year and do some measurements and see if anything has changed. Mayor McPartlan thanked Dr. Trenholm for coming to Sebastian, recalled we talked to the Natural Resources Board about providing education to the public, that local students were energized on the subject, and we need to move forward with further education on BMPs and base it on facts and science. Mr. Wright read from FS 403.9335 which provides for scientific documentation from specified agencies for adoption of more stringent language that deviates from the Florida model ordinance, and such documentation must become part of the record prior to adoption. He asked the City Attorney if we meet those requirements. The City Attorney responded that we have a lot of information from a lot of different sources and that documentation has to go to Council and be part of the record prior to adoption of an ordinance at the second reading. Mr. Wright said he would like to see what we have before Council has a vote on it. He asked the City Attorney if he had looked at the materials. The City Attorney said he had read most of it, though not all, but it is Council that needs to read it. Mr. Wright asked if the material meets the State standards. The City Attorney said it looks like a difference of opinion. He said the Florida analysis uses others' studies and pulls them altogether and analyzes them, and again said he thinks there is a difference of opinion among the scientists, which is not unusual, and Council will have to make a judgment call on the information provided. He said he is not qualified to evaluate the scientific analysis. Mr. Wright asked what happened to the Golf Course and sport fields in our ordinance. The City Attorney said the County ordinance has six exemptions including three that were not included in the City ordinance, which Council could include if it wished. Mr. Wright said he was concerned about the heavy use of those facilities. MOTION by Ms. Coy and SECOND by Mr. Wright to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 0-13-10 and set public hearing for October 9, 2013. Mr. Hill said we have heard a lot of information tonight, and respects the passion on both sides of the issue to save our lagoon which we all agree on, that the FDEP has put together an ordinance to help us do that, we have adopted that ordinance with BMPs already in there. He said there is no test telling us how much fertilizer is going from Sebastian or any of our rivers to the lagoon, and whether the problem is from nitrogen or septic. He said the City is working hard on stormwater, was the first to adopt the model ordinance and is working on funding assistance for septic hookups. He said the science presented tonight says if we do not fertilize in the summer and try to get the same amount during winter months you'll get more leaching. 14 Regular City Council Meeting September 11, 2013 Page Fifteen Ms. Coy said there was an earlier implication that only certain science was legitimate, and took offense to that, noting there is more than one set of research that has been presented, the City Attorney stated there is conflicting research, and what is left is common sense. She said while fertilizer may not be the number one issue, it certainly has a negative impact on the lagoon, this could be a first step and she was asking people to use common sense and don't put it down in the rainy season. She said the County just packed a more restrictive ordinance and what sense does it make not to do the same. She said the common sense was based on the BMPs and not fertilizing during heavy 9 Y rain, that there are fertilizers that can be used during the ban that don't use nitrogen and phosphorus. She asked that the ordinance be brought back for second reading, noting the County sent a letter today and asked us to pass the ordinance and we need to work together and match their regulation. Mr. Adams reiterated he would have preferred local studies to provide a basis for the decision to be made, but nothing he had seen convinces him fertilizer is affecting the lagoon, and again offered the 50% slow release nitrogen fertilizer for one year and tracking it. Mr. Wright said he had not seen the science that supports a blackout period, but is very concerned with the lagoon, did not see a lot of Sebastian residents here tonight, and suggested a forum for Sebastian people to identify our problems and how we go about fixing them. He said we need more research, remediation, restoration and regulations, because those in place for the last twenty years don't work, and we have not given our ordinance a chance to work. He said he did not think the problem was being caused by the commercial applicators, noted there are problems from St. Sebastian River particulates that block out the sunlight and kill seagrass, cited septic tanks adjacent to water bodies, for which the City is funding $1 00K to offer grants for hook-up, said we need our own Kilroy near the St. Sebastian River area, which we may be able to purchase with grants according to Troy Rice. At 10:29:44 Mayor McPartlan noted time was running out, and Mr. Wright requested an opportunity to wrap it up by saying we have the ability to look at our own problems to clean up the lagoon. Mayor McPartlan asked if Council wanted a roll call. Ms. Coy said we are done, time is up. Mr. Hill asked to call the roll. Mayor McPartlan requested the Clerk to call the roll. Roll Call: Ayes: Coy Nays: McPartlan, Wright, Adams, Hill Failed: 1-4 Mayor McPartlan adjourned the Regular Meeting at 10:30:45. The following agenda items were not addressed due to lack of time. 13. CITY ATTORNEY MATTERS 14. CITY MANAGER MATTERS 15. CITY CLERK MATTERS 16. CITY COUNCIL MATTERS A. Council Member Adams B. Council Member Coy C. Council Member Hill D. Mayor McPartlan E. Vice Mayor Wright 15 Regular City Council Meeting September 11, 2013 Page Sixteen Approved at the September 25, 2013 Regular Council Meeting. n By: / T/� / . /f Bob McPartlan, Mayor Attest: IR &' Sally A. Maio, M∎ C, City Clerk 16 aiw� RIF- MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AGENDA TRANSMITTAL Citv of Sebastian, Florida Subject: FAA Grant Agreement for Main ( Agenda No. Street Access Road Improvements Department Origin: I Director: J. Griffin _ Finance Director: K. Approved for Submittal by: Admin. Services: D. Al Minner City Manager City Clerk: S. Maio In _ , City Attorney: R. A. Date Submitted: For Agenda of: Exhibits: FAA Correspondence & Grant Agreement 10 September 2013 11 September 2013 EXPENDITURE /A I AMOUNT SUDOGETED: 1 REQUIRED: TI-O- I SUMMARY On 10 October 2012, Council approved a FDOT Joint Participation Agreement (JPA) as part of the State's participation in the Main Street Access Road Improvements project. The JPA amount is $600,000. That action was the first step in the funding of the project. The City /Airport has Council approved CIP funding of $275,000. The third tranche of said project funding has recently been released by the FAA. The attached Grant Agreement represents $600,000 toward the project. Acceptance of this grant will complete the grant funding as approved by Council in the CIP. RECOMMENDATION Approve Resolution R- 13 -27. X_.� U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration September 10, 2013 Mr. Joe Griffin Airport Director 1225 Main Street Sebastian, FL 32958 Dear Mr. Griffin: RE: Sebastian Municipal Airport; Sebastian, AIP Number 3-12 -0145- 010 -2013 Grant Offer Orlando Airports District Office 5950 Hazeltine National Dr., Suite 400 Orlando, FL 32822 -5003 Phone: (407) 812 -6331 Fax: (407) 812 -6978 We are enclosing the original and one copy of a Gram . df ,� AIP Project No.--35 -010 -2013 or Sebastian Municipal Airport, in response to your Ali i ion eral Assistance August 5, 2013. Your acceptance of this Offer will constitute alt greemenij which the governmen, wits participate in the allowable costs of the project amounting0 600,000 (Fed -o share). Once the authorized official has executed the. and sealed /stamped, the attorney for the City complies with local and state law; and qe st Sponsor. Please note that the Ageem`eri rid If the terms of this Offer al than September 17, 2013 notify this office by emaiiir Only the original execute file. Please Sincerely, "Original Singe/ Bart Vernace, P.E. Manager 2 Enclosures story, please >t us in adm of signature needs to be offer Kffik aeIunded al cc: w /enclosure (grant) Laurie McDermott, FDOT /4 i3te official's signature has been notarized rust certify that the Sponsor's acceptance and binding obligation on the part of the he attorney signs it AFTER the Sponsor. the`dWu.ment as soon as possible, but not later e repof 'g requirements, you are requested to the grans immediately upon executing the grant. id to this office. The remaining copy is for your with funds from the Small Airport Fund. fr GRANT AGREEMENT U. S. Department of Transportation Federal AytaBon Adminlsfrallon Date of Offer. September 10, 2013 Project Number. 3.120145010 -2013 Recipient: City of Sebastian (Herein called Sponsor) Airport: Sebastian Municipal Airport OFFER THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES, HEREBY OFFERS AND AGREES to pay, as the United States' share, ninety percent (90N of the allowable costs insured in accomplishing the project consisting of the following: 'Improve Access Road' as more particularly described in the Project Application dated August 5, 2013. The maximum obligation of the United States payable under this Offer shag be $600,000 for This offer is made in accordance with and for the purpose of carrying out the appticatilet )te Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as ., . . amended, codified at Title 49 of the United States Code. Acceptance and execution of4lt 'o9 comprise a Grant Agreement, as provided by Titie 49 of the United States Code, constituting the contrac)�l! (� ns and rights of States and the Sponsor. x` riginai Singed UNITED STATES OF AMERICA � I • "i� �:f FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION , Airports District Oft. t4 ACCEPTS The Sponsor agrees to accomplish the ein compl iant ter ditions contained herein and in the document'Terms and Conditions of Accepting Airport Imnt Program G h" tad Ap 3 2013. The Sponsor specifically acknowledges that knowingly and willfully providing false Oration to the Federal G� en t Is a"" tion of 18 U.S.C. Section 1001 (False Statements) and could subject the Sponsor's el Official Represerttativftnes, imprisonment or both K the U.S. Department of Justice determines the official acted outside the^_ _ of htslher duties. r v Executed this 20 (Seal?;, Attest Signature of Sponsor's Designated Official Representative Title << *` ;i °: Title CERTIFICATE OF SPONSOR'S ATTORNEY acting as Attorney for the Sponsor do hereby certify: That in my opinion the Sponsor is empowered to enter into the foregoing Grant Agreement under the laws of the State of Florida. Further, I have examined the foregoing Grant Agreement, and the actions taken by said Sponsor relating thereto, and find that the acceptance thereof by said Sponsor and Sponsor's official representative has been duty authorized and that the execution thereof is in all respects due and proper and In accordance with the taws of the said State and the applicable provisions of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended, codified at Title 49 of the United States Code. In addition, for grants involving projects to be carried out on property not owned by the Sponsor, there are no legal impediments that will prevent full performance by the Sponsor. Further, it is my opinion that the said Grant Agreement constitutes a legal and binding obligation of the Sponsor in accordance with the terms thereof. Signature of Sponsor's Attorney Date RESOLUTION NO. R -13 -27 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAA GRANT AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR MAIN STREET ACCESS ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AT THE SEBASTIAN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Federal Aviation Administration has agreed to provide funding for Main Street Access Road Improvements at the Sebastian Municipal Airport; and WHEREAS, the City of Sebastian agrees to certain conditions to such funding; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, as follows: Section 1. AUTHORIZATION. The City Manager is hereby authorized to execute the attached U.S. Department of Transportation FAA Grant Agreement for AIP Project Number 3- 12- 0145 -010 -2013 on behalf of the City, and is attached hereto. Section 2. CONFLICTS. All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. The foregoing Resolution was moved for adoption by Council Member The motion was seconded by Council Member and, upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: Mayor Bob McPartlan Vice Mayor Don Wright Council Member Andrea B. Coy Council Member Jerome Adams Council Member Jim Hill The Mayor thereupon declared this Resolution duly passed and adopted this 111h day of September 2013. ATTEST: Sally A. Maio, MMC City Clerk 2 CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA In Mayor Bob McPartlan Approved as to form and legality for reliance by the City of Sebastian only: Robert A. Ginsburg, City Attorney C3 "n row, z ---1 0 Yr 1 FC1 (n C CD 0 N NO3- N Leached (kg ha-1) Z y Yr1 FC2 o 0 c0 - - CD Yr2 FC1 o Yr2 FC2 ZZ M Z Z CD Yr2 FC3 CD Yr2 FC4 °o r+ 03 r+ o Yr3 FC1 00 Yr3 FC2 _ Cr Yr3 FC3 Yr4 FC4 (n C CD 0 N NO3- N Leached (kg ha-1) y 406 o - - Cr Cr Cr CrQ i ZZ M Z Z • CrQ i mmh M 0 • mn • r+ 03 r+ In r+ Nitrogen Leached from Floratarn -0 s M Q J Z CL C. a 0 4) i 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Nitrogen applied as 100% soluble urea UFUNIVERSITY of FLORIDA Trenholm et al. 2009 ESA 11bN ■SA41bN SA7IbN SA 10 lb N Turfgrass Science �F - ra", if M, Nitrogen applied as 100% soluble urea UFUNIVERSITY of FLORIDA Trenholm et al. 2009 ESA 11bN ■SA41bN SA7IbN SA 10 lb N Turfgrass Science Nitrogen Source Leaching Study- Annual Floratam UNIVERSITY of UF FLORIDA LC)RID ❑ Control AN ❑ Urea 30% SRN ❑ 50% SRN 30% PCU 30% PC 2 Iles /120 ❑ Mil Turfgrass science 0.4 0.35 0.3 a' 0.25 a� 0.2 t 0.15 0.1 M Z 0.05 0 UNIVERSITY of UF FLORIDA LC)RID ❑ Control AN ❑ Urea 30% SRN ❑ 50% SRN 30% PCU 30% PC 2 Iles /120 ❑ Mil Turfgrass science C: H �rt C• 0 NO3 -N Leached (kg ha-1) CD vl a c 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ m 3 w = o 0 0 o C Z =' 0 0 x w c c z z N N 0 r O Di CL -ti O • • Z O O A fD r tD A N9 r+ Cm Research on Runoff • Cole et al., 1997. Journal of Envir. Qual. 26:1589 -1598. — Buffers were effective in reducing pesticide and nutrient runoff • Easton and Petrovic. 2004. Journal of Envir. Qual. 33:645 -655. — Nutrient concentrations and losses in both runoff and leachate were highest for the 20 -wk period following turfgrass seeding. — The NO -3 N and NH +4 N losses declined significantly once turfgrass cover was established. — Turf's ability to reduce nutrient runoff and leachate was related to overall plant growth and shoot density. • Erickson et al. 2001. Crop Sci. 41:1889 -1895. — Nitrogen losses from runoff were statistically equal to levels in rainwater even with a 10% slope and frequently intense rainfall &1) �0 677�(o -- M/h Jaltl� FL Municipal and County Urban Fertilizer Ordinances with Strict Rainy Season Bans Pinellas County Manatee County Bellaire Bradenton Bellaire Beach Palmetto Bellaire Bluffs Bradenton Beach Bellaire Shore City of Anna Maria Clearwater Holmes Beach Dunedin Longboat Key* Gulfport Indian Rocks Beach Lee County Indian Shores City of Sanibel Kenneth City City of Fort Myers Largo Fort Myers Beach Madeira Beach Bonita Springs North Redington Beach City of Cape Coral Oldsmar Pinellas Park Martin County Redington Beach Town of Sewall 's Point Safety Harbor St. Pete Beach Charlotte County St. Petersburg City of Punta Gorda Seminole South Pasadena Indian River County Tarpon Springs Treasure Island City of Naples (in Collier County) Sarasota County City of Tampa (in Hillsborough County) City of Sarasota Northport City of Rockledge (in Brevard County) Venice Longboat Key* *Longboat Key is in both Sarasota and Manatee Counties Contacts - Urban Fertilizer Ordinance Information COUNTYJCITY STAFF Kelli Hammer Levy Pinellas County Watershed Management 727 -464 -4425, Option 7 klevy@pii,ellascouirty.org Rob Brown Natural Resources Department Manager, Environmental Protection Division Z -5980 ext. 1870 cell: (941) 737 -5218 202 6th Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 rob.brown@nlymanatee.org Karen Bickford Lee County Natural Resources TMDL Coordinator 1500 Monroe Street, 3rd Floor Fort Myers, FL 33901 PH: 239 - 533 -8706 Fax: 239 - 485 -8408 kbickford c�leegov.com Dianne K. Hughes Senior Ecosystem Specialist Ecosystem Restoration & Management Engineering Department Martin County 772- 219 -4980 (work) 772 -260 -0410 (cell) 772 - 288 -5955 (fax) dhughes @martin.fl.us Jim McKnight City Manager City of Rockledge imcknight @cityofrockledge.or Holly Downing City of Sanibel Environmental Specialist 800 Dunlop Road Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 472 -3700 phone (239) 472 -3065 fax Holly.Downing 0mysanibel com Jan McLean Assistant City Attorney City of Tampa 315 E. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33602 Office: 813 - 274 -8449 Fax: 813 - 274 -8809 L.n.mclean @tampagov.net COUNTYJCITY ELECTED OFFICIALS Martha Simons Councilwoman City of Bonita Springs, FL District Five 9101 Bonita Beach Rd Bonita Springs, FL 34135 -� =� <<_ sic= ?o_���f,�tyotbonitaspring_s.org Cell: 239 - 200 -1583 Jacqui Thurlow- Lippisch Commissioner Town of Sewall's Point 772 -486 -3818 ithurlowlippisch @comcast.net Mick Denham Councilman City of Sanibel 800 Dunlop Road Sanibel, FL 33957 239 -849 -8509 mickdenham @aol.com Susan Latvala Commissioner Pinellas County Commission (727) 464 -3276 slatvala@pinellascounty.org Sarah Heard Commissioner Martin County Commission sheard@martin.li.us Contacts - Urban Fertilizer Ordinance Information NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAMS Holly Greening Executive Director Tampa Bay Estuary Program 100 8th Ave. SE St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727 - 893 -2765 hgreening@tbep.org www.tbep.org Lisa B. Beever, PhD, AICP Director Charlotte Harbor NEP 1926 Victoria Avenue Fort Myers, FL 33901 239 - 338 -2556, ext 235 Fx 239 - 338 -2560 www.CHNLII.org Troy Rice Director Indian River Lagoon Estuary Program (321) 984 -4938 trice @sarwmd.com Jay R. Leverone, Ph.D. Sr. Environmental Scientist Sarasota Bay Estuary Program 111 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 200W Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 955 -8085 (Phone) (941) 955 -8081 (Fax) iay @sarasotabay.oi www.sarasotabay.org STATEWIDE ASSOCIATIONS Kurt Spitzer Executive Director Florida Stormwater Association kurtspitzer @ksanet.net Ryan Matthews Legislative Advocate Florida League of Cities RMahews@flcities.com 2 PREVENT POLLUTION AND MAXIMIZE PLANT HEALTH All plants need nutrients for growth. They must obtain these nutrients from the soil or other medium in which they're growing. Gardeners can also provide supplemental nutrients to plants by applying fertilizers in the form of composted organic material, packaged fertilizer, or a spe- cific mineral such as iron. Plants have varying nutrient needs, depending on the species, the age of the plant, and its location. Its not always necessary to fertilize your plants or lawn, but if you choose to fertilize, its important that you do so properly. This section will help you correctly choose and apply the right type of fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can weaken a plant, promote disease, and invite pests, in addition to wasting money and harm- ing the environment. It also means more pruning and mowing. So consider your plants' needs carefully before applying any fertilizer, and always follow label directions when using fertilizer. FERTILIZER COMPONENTS Most fertilizers available for use in the home landscape or garden are blends of several elements mixed together to achieve a specific formulation of plant nutrients. MACRONUTRIENTS Macronutrients are nutrients required by plants in relatively large amounts for optimum plant growth. The three main nutrients contained in fertilizers are nitrogen (N), phospho- rus (P), and potassium (K), represented by three numbers that appear on the bag. A complete fertilizer will contain all three of the major plant nutrients. Other macronutrients include calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S). MICRONUTRIENTS Micronutrients are nutrients most plants need in small quan- tities and are sometimes referred to as trace elements or minor elements. These nutrientsr —which include boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn) —are often available in suf- ficient quantities in the soil, but are also present in many fer- tilizers. Micronutrients are also sold as individual nutrients. ARE FERTILIZERS NEEDED? Before you use fertilizer, you should always determine if its really needed. Keep in mind that certain plants are more prone to specific kinds of nutrient deficiencies (for example, ixora and palms tend to run low on manganese). VISUAL SIGNS Your plants will indicate when they lack certain nutri- ents—you just have to know what to look for. Plant nutrient deficiency symptoms are often symmetrical (for example, yellowing areas that appear to be mirror images on a plant leaf), whereas pathogenic (e.g., fungal or bacte- rial) problems tend to appear more randomly on the plant. Remember that many nutrient deficiencies look similar. Any time you're not certain of what ails a plant, take a sample into your county Extension office for help. SOIL TESTING A soil test can help you understand what nutrients are present in your soil. This is important for deciding what nutrients, if any, you should add. Your county Extension office can help you with this. For more information about testing your soil, see page 7. Fertilizer is a powerful tool that can help plants thrive —if used appropriately. If applied incorrectly, it can not only harm plants, but also the environment. To prevent water pol- lution from nutrient leaching and runoff, always follow these steps when fertilizing your lawn or landscape. IN GENERAL Follow UFAFAS recommendations. Ideal rates, appli- cation timings, and formulas are different for different plants. Choose slow - release products. Look for fertilizers with slow - release nutrients. They should include potassium and little or no phosphorus. Keep fertilizer off hard surfaces. If fertilizer gets spilled on a hard surface (like a driveway), sweep it up and dispose of it. Fertilizers can wash into storm drains and from there into a nearby water body. Do not rinse fertilizer into storm drains. A Florida- Friendhy Landscaping' Publication If you spill fertilizer on the lawn, collect whatever you can. It might be tempting to just water extra fertilizer into the lawn, but the excess nutrients will leach (seep downwards) through the soil and into the groundwater. Sweep up fertilizer spills on the lawn. Never fertilize within 10 feet of any water body. Designate a 10 -foot maintenance -free zone between your landscape and the riparian zone. Never apply fertilizer within 10 feet of any water body. Don't fertilize before a heavy rain. If rain is forecast in the next twenty -four hours, hold off on applying fertilizer. Rain can wash fertilizer off lawns or cause it to leach into groundwater, contributing to pollution. Know your water source. If you use reclaimed /recy- cled water for irrigation, keep in mind that it can contain nutrients, including nitrogen, and adjust the amount you fertilize accordingly. FOR LAWNS Apply fertilizer only when grass is actively growing. Many Florida turfgrasses go dormant or slow their growth in cooler seasons. Water it in with 1 /A inch of water or less. Use a broadcast spreader with a deflector shield. Don't use a drop spreader, which can damage the coatings on slow - release fertilizers, rendering them quick - release. A deflector shield directs fertilizer away from your irainienance- free zone. Avoid using "weed and feed" products. These contain herbicides and fertilizer together. v These products can injure some trees and shrubs. Tree and shrub root systems can extend far beyond the canopy drip line, intenningling with turf. Pesticides should be applied only to affected areas, rather than broadcast over the entire yard as occurs with a weed and feed product. The appropriate timing is often different, with preemer- gent herbicides applied far earlier than fertilizer. This almost ensures that one or the other is ineffective, if not harmful. Apply an iron source instead of a nitrogen fertilize To green the lawn without increasing growth in the summer, use chelated iron or iron sulfate. SELECTMIOT A FERTILIZER INORGANIC FERTILIZERS A wide range of fertilizers is available for gardeners. You Inorganic fertilizers are materials that are mined or synthe- can select from different combinations of nutrients that sized from non -living materials. Many inorganic fertilizers come in a variety of forms. The key to selecting a fertilizer contain nutrients that are immediately available to plants. is understanding what nutrients your plants need. Others are formulated to allow nutrients to be released THE FLORIDA YARDS & NEIGHBORHOODS HANDBOOK 2009 Y) MASTER PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOC., INC. November 3, 2009 Kelli Hammer Levy, MS, CPM Division Director Pinellas County Environmental Management Watershed Management Division 300 South Garden Avenue Clearwater, FL 33756 Transmitted by Facsimile: 727 - 4644403 And First Class Mail REF: Palmer Ranch Master Property O «nrers Association, hie. Turf Management Strategies Kelli, You have asked we outline our turf economic experience since implementing a Nitrogen management strategy. Your request focuses on turf repair, mowing and fertilizer treatments. Common grounds of the Master Association include approximately 29 acres of St. Augustine turf in roadway medians. While we maintain considerable additional outlying acreage, our fertility program focuses on these 29 "formal' acres. There is also benefit to approximately 3 acres of ornamental shrubbery, though not quantified. The strategy is based on plant tissue analysis to determine nutritional need. This goes beyond Nitrogen strategy, encompassing the Rill NPK - minor element package. Limited fertilizer components are applied only when needed as a supplement to other sources such as reclaimed irrigation water and naturally available soil nutrient. Key to understanding is the contradiction of excess Nitrogen prompted growth. While Nitrogen is a necessary element to plant health excess use may prompt rapid growth of soft tissues, i.e., leaflets. J the case of St. Augustine, stolons (surface runners) over thatch each other resulting in development of a suspended canopy, loss of root/soil contact, and build up of underlying decaying matter from now more frequent mowing creating a haven for pests. The application cycle is now in Rill swing, each event prompting further use of fertilizer and pesticides. Rather than a "fix ", excess Nitrogen creates the contradiction. Following is a brief outline of our experience: 9 Leading up to, and through, 2006 the Master Association experienced significant loss of St. Augustine turf due to TARR — Take All Root Rot fungus. • Little research or recommended corrective action published. • 2006 - experiments /test areas by Master Association employing various techniques. Commencing January 2007 — soil, soft tissue (leaflets), and reclaimed water samples sent to lab. • Subsequent recording and correlation of data. hicreased areas of samples, developing consistent sampling and handling technique. 6142 Clark Center Avenue • Sarasota, FL 34238 (941) 922 -3866 • FAX (941) 922 -1581 As a result: • Abandomnent of recommended "generic" application rates. • A localized fertility method based on monthly soft tissue, soil and water analysis. ® Use of beneficial fungus for better utilization of naturally available nutrient — further reducing "supplemental" fertilizer requirement. • Reduction in expense: ➢ Less prompt of unnecessary growth leading to reduction of mowing requirements - $16,173 annual savings in median mowing. ➢ Reduction in turf replacement costs; 2006 $90,477 2007 $42,566 2008 $ 2,880 2009 $ 760 (as of 9/30/09) • Significant increase in turf health and appearance. We are not qualified horticulturists. On the contrary, we are lay persons with interest in improving the Community of Palmer Ranch, reducing maintenance costs and limiting the impact of fertilizer on our environment. Our TARR problem continues but we believe we are moving in the right direction and hope our experience benefits others. Believe this somewhat covers your inquiry. Please advise should you have any questions or require further amplification, Respectfully;) Rick Barth, President Cc: Board of Trustees, Palmer Ranch Master Property Owners Association Jon Thaxton, Chairman, Board of County Commissioners, Sarasota County Jack Merriam, Director, Sarasota County Water Quality Herald Trihime Ernst: Experts agree that Sarasota's fertilizer law is good http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120126/COLUM N I ST/120129601 /-1 /news ?Title =Emst- Experts -agree that -Sarasota- s -ferti I izer- law -is -good By Eric Ernst Published: Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 3:55 p.m. Sarasota County's fertilizer ordinance is once again under attack. Enacted in 2007, the local law intends to keep nitrogen and phosphate pollution from our waterways by requiring only slow - release fertilizers and by banning application from June through September. The timing of the ban rests on the premise that summer rains leach the nutrients from lawns, often triggering algal blooms such as red tide. That would be a shame. Setting aside the consideration of government intrusion, jurisdiction and all the conspiracy theories that surround any regulation, the principles behind the Sarasota County law make perfect sense not only from an environmental viewpoint, but from a horticultural, business and consumer perspective. Consider the testimony of Michael "Mike J." Juchnowicz. His company, Gardenmasters of Southwest Florida Inc., has lo,000 -plus lawn - care customers from Collier to Manatee counties. Juchnowicz admits he had to scramble during the first year of Sarasota's new rules. He had to find suppliers with the right type of slow- release fertilizer, and he had to pay more for it. By the second year, however, things were running smoothly, he says. With his accounts, Juchnowicz sets prices based on the maintenance of vibrant lawns, not on how much fertilizer and pesticide he spreads. "People are results - oriented," he says. "As long as the grass is healthy and green, you get no complaints." Meanwhile, his chemical costs dropped as production caught up with the market and national giants such as Scotts developed 50 -50 slow release products they didn't have a few years ago. Plus, because of the summer ban and subsequent Every year since 200, the state education of his customers, Juchnowicz says he Legislature, prodded by lawn-related now uses about 200 tons less fertilizer each year. businesses, has debated undercutting And that's just in Sarasota County. the ordinance. The latest version, a two -page bill that has made it through several House and Senate committees, would exempt commercial operators from the rainy season ban. The move would eviscerate the ordinance as well as similar local laws in neighboring cities and counties. "I don't want to sound like I'm a big tree - hugger, but I can see I make a visible impact on clean water in our community," he says. Sarasota's rules have also led to another discovery. Curtailing fertilization in the summer has an impact on fungus and insect problems, particularly in the popular St. Augustine turf. Palmer Ranch has the documentation to prove it. In 2006, the io,000 -acre subdivision spent $96,00o replacing turf damaged by fungus. Fungus, as well as chinch bugs, feed on the type of growth spurred by excess nitrogen. Since then, Palmer Ranch has developed a sophisticated sampling system to measure nutrients not only in blades of grass but in the reclaimed water it uses for irrigation. The results, compiled monthly by a lab, fill binders two feet tall, says Rick Barth, president of the Master Property Owners Association. Those samplings, not some generic feeding schedule, determine how and when Palmer Ranch treats its landscape. "We let the turf tell us what it needs," Barth says. "We simply have recognized that overfertilization is one of the worst things you can do." By this year, turf replacement costs have dropped to practically nothing. Of course, not everyone can spend $35o a month to have lawn samples analyzed in a lab. But, the lessons from Palmer Ranch probably pertain elsewhere. If nothing else, they'd make good reading for any state legislator ready to sack Sarasota County's fertilizer ordinance. It's funny. Even if state action makes Sarasota's ordinance meaningless, both Palmer Ranch and Gardenmasters intend to carry on as if it were in force, because that's the smart thing to do. If the rest of us do the same, problem solved. Eric Ernst's column runs Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Contact him at eric.ernst @heraldtribune.com or (941) 486 - 3073- Copyright c0 2012 HeraldTribune.com — All rights reserved. Restricted use only. Pensacola TAL H Panama's Cjty USDA Plant Hardines-s Zone Map Florida Ioi ^N V 4* 100 Kilameters a?s �ftppvv�onf gA rlm,11,1�181 "a ORSM IZOGIDUO . , Servite Tf C w e Cy e a -I S;�A e-s so wile -T' G46d j Cale tv C! T" kn I Yr frl if '71 AverageAnnuai Extreme Minimum Temperature 1976-2005 TenvR ZDne T env I C- to 15 -121 to -�A 15 to 20 4 10 - 6. 7 ZD to .15 to 25 4 ID - "'D to 15 -1.1, ID 1.7 lie 15 to 40 Fj I. -r, 4.4 4 to 45 S. 4.4 is 7: 'jBeach tit A* Fort f West P a Im Beach Fort Lauderdale �mismi Florida ff Keys (I I b Journal of Environmental Quality TECHNICAL REPORTS GROUNDWATER QUALITY Nitrate Leaching and Turf Quality in Established'Floratam' St. Augustinegrass and'Empire` Zoysiagrass Laurie E. Trenholm,* J. Bryan Unruh, and Jerry B. Sartain The objectives of this research were to evaluate nitrate N (NO N) leaching and turf response to nitrogen rate (NR) and irrigation regime (IR) in `Floratam' St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum [Walt.] Ktmtze.) and `Empire' zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud). The research was conducted in Citra, FL, from 2005 through 2007. Nitrogen (N) was applied at annual rates of32, 64,128, and 196 kg ha-'in 2005, and at 49,196, 343, or 490 kg ha ' in 2006 and 2007. Irrigation treatments consisted of 1.3 cm applied twice weekly or 2.6 cm applied once weekly. In general, NO3 N leaching was greater from zoysiagrass. In 2007, annual NO3 N leached varied due to the interaction of NR, IR, and grass. There was little association between NR and increased NO3 N leaching in St. Augustinegrass in any year. While St. Augustinegrass had no differences in NO3 N leached within NRdue to IR, there were some differences in NO3 N leached from zoysiagrass at some N levels, with greater NO3 N leached from the more frequent irrigation regime. Turf quality (TQ) was generally above an acceptable level in St. Augustinegrass at all but the lowest NRs and at all NRs in zoysiagrass with the exception of the spring fertilizer cycle (SFC) in 2007, when high NR treatments resulted in disease. Maintenance of a healthy turfgrass cover is an important strategy for reducing potential nutrient movement from fertilizer application. The current recommended rates for St. Augustinegrass provide good turf cover and health, and result in minimal NO3 N leaching. Zoysiagrass N rates may need to be revised downward to reduce disease, improve turf cover, and reduce NO3 N leaching. Copyright Q 2012 by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical maybe reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. J. Environ. Qual. doi:10.2134/jeg2011.0183 Received 23 May 2011. "Corresponding author (letr@ufl.edu). 0 ASA, CSSA, SSSA 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA W ITH INCREASING URBANIZATION, there are concerns that urban turf fertilization may contribute to nonpoint - source pollution of ground and surface waters. To this end, there are some who support a cessation of or placement of severe restrictions on turf fertilization, although numerous research reports have clearly documented that many factors can influence N leaching from turf areas. These factors include N application rate (Brown et a., 1977; Shuman, 2001; Easton and Petrovic, 2004; Frank et aL, 2006), N source (Geron et al., 1993; Easton and Petrovic, 2004), irrigation management (Starrett et aL, 1995; Morton et al., 1998), maturity of the grass (Frank et al., 2006), and root architecture (Bowman et al., 1998; Bowman et al., 2002). Frank et al. (2006) observed a range of 0 to 0.08 kg ha ' labeled fertilizer N in leachate from established Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) that received urea N at 98 kg ha:-' annually compared with 0.01 to 0.73 kg N ha ' leached from turf fertilized with 245 kg urea N ha-' annually. The authors concluded that the 2 yr of research indicated that application of the low NR provided minimal potential for groundwater pollution, but that the high rate, particularly when applied as a single application, water soluble N source, may result in nitrate N (NO 3 N) levels in excess of the USEPA safe levels of 10 mg NO3 N L -'. The authors cited a need for subsequent years of research to verify these findings. Morton et al. (1988) reported greatest annual flow weighted NO3 -N concentration (4.02 mg L -') in a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass and red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) that received high N (244 kg ha--' yr ') and excessive irrigation (3.75 cm wk -', regardless of rainfall). Annual N losses for this treatment totaled 32 kg inorganic -N ha-'. The authors concluded that inorganic N leaching losses from appropriate home lawn care practices would not contribute to groundwater contamination, but that care should be used when fertilizing lawns in coastal watersheds. Easton and Petrovic (2004) reported greater NO3 N leaching losses from a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perennel,.) treated -with soluble urea than from an untreated LETrenholm, Dep. of Environmental Horticulture, Univ. of Florida, PO Box 110670, Gainesville, FL32611; J.B. Unruh, West Florida Research and Education Center, 4253 Experiment Dr., Jay, FL 32565; J.B. Sartain, Dep. of Soil and Water Sci., Univ. of Florida, PO Box 110510, Gainesville, FL 32611. Assigned to Associate Editor Pamela Rice. Abbreviations. ESFC, early summer fertilizer cycle; ET, evapotranspiration; FFC, fall fertilizer cycle; HDPE, high - density polyethylene; IR, Irrigation regime; I111, applied twice weekly; I112, applied once weekly; LSFC, late summer fertilizer cycle; MDL, minimum detection limit; N, nitrogen; NO.-N, nitrate N; NR, nitrogen rate; SFC, spring fertilizer cycle, TQ turf quality. control. Leaching losses were highest in the first year following turf establishment. The authors concluded that the potential for increased NO3 N leachingis greatest duringestablishment, but the faster establishment time in turf that received krtilization during the first year reduced subsequent losses of N and phosphorus compared with unkrdlized control plots. Erickson et aL (2001) observed less NO3 N leaching (4.1 kg N ha ' annually) in the first year following establishment from sodded Floratam St. Augustinegrass than from a mixed- species landscape planting (48.3 kg N ha ' annually). Reporting on long -term N leaching on this project (Erickson et al., 2008), authors observed that both turf and mixed - species landscape plantings leached <2% of the applied N as inorganic N over time. The decrease in leaching from the mixed - species landscape plantings was attributed to increased root mass over time and the cessation of fertilizer treatments applied to the mature mixed - species landscape plantings. Bowman et al. (2002) observed a 92% reduction in NO3 N leaching from St. Augustinegrass from a second treatment application as compared with the first treatment in a greenhouse study. Nitrogen was applied as ammonium nitrate at a rate of 50 kg N ha-' on both treatment dates. The authors attributed the reduction in NO3 N leaching following the second treatment application to development of a more extensive root system as the grasses matured, a larger microbial population to increase N immobilization, and less water percolation through the columns. Over the course of the study, lower cumulative levels of NO3 N and a lower percentage of applied N leached from `Raleigh' St. Augustinegrass than from five other species of warm - season grasses. Similarly, Bowman et al. (1998) attributed lower NO3 N leaching from two creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) genotypes to production of a deeper root system and they concluded that management strategies to enhance rooting may reduce NO3 N leaching. Current N fertilization recommendations for maintenance of St. Augustinegrass (Trenholm et al., 2011) and zoysiagrass (Unruh et al., 2011) in Florida include a range of rates from 98 to 294 kg N ha ' annually, depending on geographical region of the state and aesthetic preference. Trenhohn and Unruh (2007) observed best TQ and color from application of 200 or 350 kg N ha-' to St. Augustinegrass. The authors noted that zoysiagrass could be maintained with 147 kg N ha--' in central Florida (Trenholm and Unruh, 2009). Dunn et al. (1995) reported that a maximum rate of 98 kg N ha-' annually was sufficient for `Meyer' zoysiagrass maintenance but noted that more N may be necessary where sandy soils predominated. Given that Florida currently has regulations at both state and local levels regarding fertilization of lawn grasses and due to a lack of NO3 N leaching data on St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass, this research was undertaken as part of a larger project to obtain specific information for best management practices verification on NO3 N leaching as a result of lawn grass fertilization. The objectives of this research,were to evaluate total NO3 N leaching and turf response from a wide range of NRs and from two different irrigation regimes in established Floratam St. Augustinegrass and `Empire' zoysiagrass. Materials and Methods This research was conducted at the G.C. Horn Turfgrass Field Laboratory at the University of Florida Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, FL. Soil type was a Tavares sand (Hyperthermic, uncoated Typic Quartzipsamments), with a pH of 6.8 and organic matter content of <4 %. Plots measured 4.0 in by 4.0 m. High- density polyethylene (HDPE) drainage lysimeters were installed in the center of each plot, with the top —10 cm below the soil surface. Lysimeters measured 57 cm diam. and 88 cm in height with a volume of 168 L. Lysimeters were assembled by placing HDPE cylinders into a single- piece, galvanized -steel base unit measuring 25.4 cm in height. A bulkhead fitting was inserted into the base of each unit, to which collection tubing (0.95 cm low- density polyethylene) was attached. The tubing was run underground to central aboveground collection portals. Lysimeters were installed by boring and removing soil in 15.2 -cm sections to a depth of 107 cm. Lysimeters were placed in holes and 38 L of washed egg rock (1.9 -6.4 cm) was placed in the bottom of each lysimeter. The gravel was covered with fitted nonwoven polyolefin cloth that was secured with a hoop of 1.3 cm HDPE tubing to reduce soil intrusion into the reservoir. Soil was replaced into the lysimeters as it had been removed from the soil profile. Soil was gently tamped with a tamping tool (17 kg and 858 cm) to approximate original soil bulk density. Empire zoysiagrass and Floratam St. Augustinegrass were sodded in late June 2005. Grasses received an initial fertilization with 24.5 kgN ha -'on 24 June 2005. Irrigation was provided as needed to prevent wilt during establishment. Nitrogen rate treatments were applied on 22 July and 20 Sept. 2005,3 Apr., 6 June, l Aug., and 30 Sept. 2006,2 Apr., 31 May, 8 Aug., and 3 Oct. 2007, as 46 -0 -0 urea. The urea was dissolved in water and applied through a backpack sprayer to uniformly cover each plot with a rate of 0.12 L in-. Treatments were irrigated in with 0.6 cm of water after application. In 2005, research was conducted over —4-mo growing period with annual application rates of 32, 64, 128, and 196 kg N ha-'. In the subsequent 2 yr, research timing was representative of a typical north central Florida growing season of —7 mo. The rates for 2006 and 2007 were modified to reflect the longer growing season and obtain information on a higher range of N application, resulting in annual application rates of49,196, 343, or490 kgN ha-', applied in —60-d intervals. These rates were applied at the request of the funding agency to provide information on NO3 -N fate if a homeowner were to greatly exceed recommended NRs. Results are reported as annual NO3 N mass flux and for each 60 -d fertilizer cycle between treatment applications. The fertilizer cycles are defined as spring fertilizer cycle (SFC), early summer fertilizer cycle (ESFC), late summer fertilizer cycle (LSFC), and fall fertilizer cycle (FFC). Irrigation treatments consisted of 1.3 cm applied twice weekly (IRI) or 2.6 cm applied once weekly (IR2). These rates were chosen to simulate typical watering restrictions enacted in parts of Florida. When rainfall met or exceeded these amounts, irrigation was suspended. Turf was mowed weekly at a height of 8.9 cm with clippings returned. Pesticides were applied, as needed, based on visual identification of a pest. Chlorothalonil ( 2, 4, 5 ,6- tetrachloroisophthalonitrile) fungicide was applied to zoysiagrass plots on 15 May 2007, for control of Zoysia patch Journal of Environmental Quality disease (Rbizoetonia spp.). Potassium (K) was applied three times annually throughout the growing season at 49 kg K ha-' each application. Leachate samples were collected twice weekly throughout the growing season, beginning the day after first treatment application. Samples were collected by applying a vacuum to the collection tubing and withdrawing percolate from the reservoir of the lysimeter until dry. To prevent a perched water table from forming, lysimeters were evacuated more than twice weekly if heavy rain events ( >2.5 cm) occurred. The large surface area of the lysimeters minimized preferential flow within lysimeters. Volume was measured by collecting leachate into a graduated cylinder as lysimeters were emptied. Twenty-ml aliquots of the leachate were transferred to collection vials and placed on ice in the field and then frozen at 0 °C until NO3 N analysis was done. Nitrate concentration was measured using a continuous segmented flow analyzer (AutoAnalyzer 3, Seal Analytical) at the University of Florida Analytical Research Laboratory in Gainesville. Leachate volumes were also measured for each plot. Concentrations that were lower than the minimum detection limit (MDL) of 0.05 mg L' were corrected to the MDL value. Turf quality (TQ) was assessed biweekly over the growing season on a scale of 1 to 9, where 1 = dead /brown turf and 9 = optimal healthy /green turf. A score of 6 was considered a minimally acceptable score for a home lawn. When disease damage occurred, TQwas assessed from the nondiseased portion of the plot. Spring greenup was assessed in 2006 and 2007, as a measurement of the percentage of the plot that had live green grass following winter dormancy. Weather data were collected for the months in which research was conducted from an on -site weather network system (http: // fawndfas.ufl.edu), which provides meteorological information in 15 -min intervals. 250 200 E E 0 150 .Q U a a` 100 O 50 Experimental design was a split —split plot design, where irrigation treatments were main plots and grasses were subplots. Nitrogen rates were randomized within grasses as sub —sub plots. There were four replications. Proc analysis of variance (SAS Institute, 2003) was used to analyze data and means were separated with the Waller Duncan k -ratio t test. Differences were determined at the 0.05 significance leveL Due to differences in data among years, results are presented by year. Leachate data were found to be normally distributed and adjusted for outliers that exceeded plus or minus two standard deviations. Results and Discussion Precipitation Actual monthly rainfall and historical averages for the growing seasons during the study period are shown in Fig. 1. Monthly rainfall for all years of the study was generally below historical averages; rainfall on an annual basis over the months comprising the study period was 19 and 17% below average for 2006 and 2007, respectively. However, there were months (August and October 2005, July 2006, and October 2007) when rainfall exceeded historical averages and some dates where daily rainfall events exceeded 25 mm. For example, in 2006, there were five daily rainfall events during LSFC that exceeded 25 mm. Nitrate — Nitrogen teaching In 2005, NO3 N mass flux did not differ in response to main effects or interactions (Table 1). In 2006, there were differences from the interaction of NR x grass in ESFC and FFC, and interaction of NR x IR in FFC, and for total annual flux (Table 1). In 2006, each fertilizer cycle and annual flux had differences in response to the main effect of grass, regardless of interactions (Table 2). In St. Augustinegrass, only LSFC had differences from NR, whereas in zoysiagrass, there was a trend toward Oy 43 Oy 00 06 06 06 06 OHO 00 06 OA 6 OA 01 O^ 01 01 131, POA yeQ p°_ QQ 40 SO �O P09 I:p dI_ V0 40 HOC X11 PEA 'A &- rig. 1. Monthly precipitation for the months in which research was conducted over the 3 -yr study period in Citra, rL. www.agronomy.org • www.crops.org • www.soils.org Table 1. Analysis of variance for NO3 N leached and turf quality in response to N rate (NR) and irrigation regime (IR) of established Floratam St. Augustinegrass and Empire zoysiagrass from 2005 to 2007, in Citra, FL. Source of Nitrate -N leached Nitrate -N leached Turf qualityt Annual N rate variation SFC* ESFC# LSFC* FFC* Annual SFC ESFC LSFC FFC Average 2005 LSFCt FFCt Annual SFC ESFC LSFC FFC Annual kg ha -' NR NA§ NA NSt NS NS NA NA ** NS ** Grass (G) NA NA NS NS NS NA NA *** NS *** IR NA NA NS NS NS NA NA NS NS NS NR x G NA NA NS NS NS NA NA 0.2a 0.9a 6.7a 1.4b NR x IR NA NA NS NS NS NA NA NS NS NS G x IR NA NA NS NS NS NA NA NS NS NS NR x G x IR NA NA NS NS NS NA NA NS NS NS 2006 0.3a 1.Oa 0.2b 0.6b 2.1 b 22.3b 403b 4.Oab 17.9a 84.56 196 NR NS ** NS 2.9b 6.4c ** ** *** *** *** *** G ** *** * ** * *** NS * NS NS NS IR ** NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NR x G NS * NS *** NS ** ** *** *** NR x IR NS NS NS *** "* ** ** NS *** G x IR NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NR x G x IR NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS 2007 NR G ** *** *** '* *** * NS NS NS NS IR NS * ** NS * NS NS NS NS NS NR x G NR x IR *** NS NS NS *** *** *** *** *** *** G x IR NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NR x G x IR NS NS * NS NS NS NS NS NS * Significant at P < 0.05. ** Significant at P<- 0.01. *** Significant at P!5: 0.001. t Turf quality based on a scale from 1 -9, where 1 = dead /brown turf and 9 = optimal healthy /green turf. A score of 6 was considered a minimally acceptable score for a home lawn. t SFC = spring fertilizer cycle; ESFC = early summer fertilizer cycle; LSFC = late summer fertilizer cycle, FFC = fall fertilizer cycle. § NA = not applicable. Research began with LSFC in 2005. tl NS = not significant at the 0.05 probability level. Table 2. Nitrate -N leached from established Floratam St. Augustinegrass and Empire zoysiagrass in response to N rate in 2006 and 2007 in Citra, FL. t SFC = spring fertilizer cycle, ESFC = early summer fertilizer cycle; LSFC = late summer fertilizer cycle, FFC = fall fertilizer cycle $ Values within a column by year followed by the same letter do not differ at P = 0.05. 4 Journal of Environmental Quality Nitrate -N leached Annual N rate St. Augustinegrass Zoysiagrass SFCt ESFCt LSFCt FFCt Annual SFC ESFC LSFC FFC Annual kg ha -' kg ha -' 2006 490 2.3at 1.6a 0.3at 1.1a 5.3a 7.3a 6.Oa 10.1 5.7a 29.1a 343 1.9a 0.3a 0.1c 0.6a 2.9a 2.9a 1.4b 5.7 3.6b 13.7b 196 0.3a 0.3a 0.2b 0.2a 0.9a 6.7a 1.4b 7.6 1.0c 16.7b 49 0.3a 0.2a 0.2b 0.1 0.9a 6.5a 2.2ab 3.7 0.3d 12./b 2007 490 0.2a 0.6c 0.3a 8.Oa 9.1 a 29.1 a 75.8a 7.Oa 12.5b 124.3a 343 0.3a 1.Oa 0.2b 0.6b 2.1 b 22.3b 403b 4.Oab 17.9a 84.56 196 0.2a 0.8b 0.3b 1.6b 2.9b 6.4c 17.2c 0.6b 6.2bc 30.5c 49 0.1a 03d 0.2b 0.4b 1.1 b 1.9d 2.4d 0.4b 1.Oc 5.7d t SFC = spring fertilizer cycle, ESFC = early summer fertilizer cycle; LSFC = late summer fertilizer cycle, FFC = fall fertilizer cycle $ Values within a column by year followed by the same letter do not differ at P = 0.05. 4 Journal of Environmental Quality higher NO3 N leaching at the highest NR, particularly in FFC and for annual leaching. In FFC of 2006, N0 3N mass flux increased under both IRs as NR increased; however, there were no differences in leaching within NR in response to IR (Table 3). Annual NO 3N loading was not affected by NR under IRl, whereas NO3 N loading increased with NR under IR2. As with FFC, IR did not affect NO 3-N within NR. Averaged over all other treatments, annual NO, -N flux from St. Augustinegrass in 2006 was 1.4 kg N ha', compared with 10.1 kg N ha ' from zoysiagrass (data not shown). There was an interaction of NR x grass x IR in LSFC and for annual N0 3N mass flux in 2007 (Table 1). There were no differencesinSt .Augu5tinegra55inannualNO3 Nloadinresponse to NR under IRl, whereas loading was greatest at the highest NR under IR2 (Table 4). There were no differences in N0 3N loading Table 3. Nitrate -N leached in response to the interaction of N rate and irrigation regime (IR) in established Floratam St Augustinegrass and Empire zoysiagrass in fertilizer cycle 4 and for the growing season in 2006, in Citra, FL. Nitrate -N leached Annual N rate fall fertilizer cycle IRt I112 PValue kg N ha -' 490 1.4a* 5.4a NS§ 343 1.0b 3.1 b NS 196 0.7c 0.5c NS 49 0.2d 0.3d NS Annual Load 490 19.3a 15.2a NS 343 7.4b 9.2b NS 196 14.Oab 3.6c NS 49 11.8ab 1.8d NS t IR1 = irrigation regime 1, twice weekly at 1.3 cm; I132 = irrigation regime 2, weekly at 2.6 cm. * Values within a column for a cycle followed by the same letter do not differ at P = 0.05 § NS = not significant within a row at P= 0.05. Table 4. Annual nitrate -N leached in response to the interaction of grass, N rate, and irrigation regime (IR) in established Floratam St. Augustinegrass and Empire zoysiagrass in 2007, in Citra, FL Annual N rate Nitrate -N leached IRt I112 PValue kg N ha -' St. Augustinegrass 490 7.2a 6.4at NS§ 343 1.4a 0.5b NS 196 1.1a 4.1b NS 49 1.1a 1.6b NS Zoysiagrass 490 157.9a 90.1a 1I 343 99.8b 69.1a NS 196 50.3c 10.7b 11 49 7.1 d 4.4b NS t I117 = irrigation twice weekly at 1.3 cm; IR2 = irrigation weekly at 2.6 cm. t Values within a column for a grass followed by the same letter do not differ at P = 0.05. § NS = not significant 1) Significant at the 0.05 probability level within a row. within NR as influenced by IR. Zoysiagrass had greater annual NO3 -N mass flux under IRl as NR increased and from the two highest NRs under IR2. Analyzed within NRs, greatest loading occurred from zoysiagrass under IRl at both 196 and 490 kg N ha-', with no differences at 49 and 343 kg N ha:-' from IR. In 2007, zoysiagrass was more sensitive to N0 3N loading under the less frequent but higher volume IR2 for annual leaching. Nitrate N losses from zoysiagrass decreased from 157.9 to 7.1 kg ha--1 NO 3-N under IRL a decrease of 96% as NR decreased from 490 to 49 kgN ha-'. The percentage decrease under IR2 was 95%, with means of 90.1 to 4.4 kg N ha ' as NR decreased. Irrigation at the rates and timings tested had limited effect on NO 3-N loading results, particularly in St. Augustinegrass, with some tendency for greater NO 3-N loss from zoysiagrass at the more frequent IR1 in 2007. The irrigation rates used in this study (2.54 cm wk -') were generally equivalent to or slightly less than evapotranspiration (ET). Consequently, percolate was not excessive and the percentage of applied N leached was generally <I% of the applied amount to St. Augustinegrass. It is likely that greater response to irrigation might be seen in both species if a wider range of scheduling and rates were tested, especially if irrigation rates significantly exceeded ET, thereby resulting in greater percolate volume. Concentration of NO3 N in percolate ranged from 0.05 to 0.86 mg L -' from St. Augustinegrass for 2006 and 2007 (Table 5), well below the USEPA drinking water standards of 10 mg L -', regardless of N rate. Zoysiagrass concentrations were below EPA standards in 2006, ranging from 1.11 to 8.72 mg L -'. The Zoysiagrass concentrations were 0.45 to 23.57 mg L -' in 2007. Correlation analysis of spring greenup with NO 3-N leached during SFC and ESFC for 2007 indicated that there were no significant associations in St. Augustinegrass between spring greenup and N0 3N leached (Table 6). This was logical since greenup occurred rapidly in this species. Zoysiagrass had significant Table S. Means of NO,-N concentration in percolate for 2006 and 2007 from established Floratam St. Augustinegrass and Empire Zoysiagrass in Citra, FL Annual N rate Nitrate -N leached 2006 2007 StAugustinegrass Zoysiagrass StAugustinegrass Zoysiagrass kg ha -' mg L -' 490 0.86at 0.80a 8.72a 23.57a 343 0.21a 0.17b 2.25b 10.83b 196 0.07a 0.21 b 1.79b 3.55c 49 0.05a 0.08b 1.11b 0.45d Analysis of variance 2006 2007 N rate (NR) * ** * ** Grass (G) * ** *** Irrigation (IR) NS# ** NR x G ** *** NR x IR NS *** G x IR NS ** NRxGxIR NS ** ** Significant at P:5 0.01 *** Significant at P!5 0.001 t Values within a column followed by the same letter do not differ at P = 0.05. * NS = not significant within a row at P= 0.05. www.agronomy.org • www.crops.org • www.soils.org 5 Table 6. Correlation coefficients (r) and probability values (P) for NO3 N leached vs. spring greenup in spring and early summer fertilizer cycles in 2007 for Floratam St. Augustinegrass and Empire Zoysiagrass in Citra, FL. Nitrate -N Percent spring greenup rating date leached 22 Mar. 12 Apr. 26 Apr. 17 May 31 May St. Augustinegrass Spring 0.01 -0.02 -0.04 -0.04 -0.02 fertilizercyclet P= 0.9735 P= 0.9060 P= 0.8224 P= 0.8251 P= 0.9273 Early summer 0.01 0.02 0.00 -0.02 -0.03 fertilizer cyclet P= 0.9471 P= 0.9131 P= 0.9798 P= 0.9197 P= 0.8746 490 6.7a§ 9.Oa 7.8a 7.3a 7.2a 6.5a 8.7a Zoysiagrass 5.8d 6.7b Spring -0.33 -0.65 -0.65 -0.78 -0.76 fertilizer cycle P= 0.0653 P= 0.0001 P= 0.0001 P= 0.0001 P= 0.0001 Early summer -0.35 -058 -0.61 -0.72 -0.69 fertilizer cycle P= 0.0494 P= 0.0004 P= 0.0002 P= 0.0001 P= 0.0001 t SFC = spring fertilizer cycle, ESFC = early summer fertilizer cycle. correlations with NO3 N leached in both SFC and ESFC for each of the greenup rating dates in 2007. Zoysiagrass treated with the higher NRs had less live green tissue during the early growing season in 2007 due to increased presence oflarge patch disease (Rhiwaonia solani J G. Kuhn), resulting in greater NO3 N leached. Turfrecovery began following fungicide treatment in mid -May. By LSFC, grass growth resumed with improved cover ofplots and NO, -N leaching levels were reduced. This illustrates the importance of a healthy turfgrass cover and cultural practices that sustain cover in reducing potential nutrient leaching. There are varyingreports of NO3 N leaching from various turf species in response to increasing NR in the literature. For example, similar to results of St. Augustinegrass reported here, Easton and Petrovic (2004) found no differences in NO3 N leaching due to NR in cool - season grasses in the second yr of a 2 -yr study when N was applied from numerous sources at either 50 or 100 kgN ha-1. In contrast, `Tifdwarf bermudagrass (Cynodon dact)lon L. Pers x C. transmalemis Bunt -Davy) putting greens lost 9.1 to 15.2 kg NO3 N ha-' as NRs increased from 24 to 98 kg applied N ha-1, respectively, when N was applied as ammonium sulfate (Brown et al., 1977). Frank et al. (2006) reported higher total NO3 N losses when N was applied at annual rates of 245 compared with 98 kg N ha ' in Kentucky bluegrass. Other reports have contrasted NO3 N leaching among turf species and with other plant species used in the landscape. Erickson et A (200 1) reported annualinorganic N loss 44 I kgha ' from St. Augustinegrass as compared with 48.3 kg ha-' from a mixed - species landscape in the first year ofthe study. The authors concluded that St. Augustinegrass was amore effective filter for leachate reduction than a mixed landscape planting. Lowest NO3 N leaching was reported from St. Augustinegrass when compared with other warm- season turfgrass species (Bowman et al., 2002). 'Ilse authors attributed the reduced loading in St. Augustinegrass to the significantly greater root length density in this species at soil depths > 30 cm. Increased NO3 N Ieaching from zoysiagrass in response to NR and irrigation is consistent with numerous reports of NO3 N leaching in many turf species. Bowman et al. (2002) reported that `Meyer' zoysiagrass was the least efficient of six warm season turfgrasses at reducing N leaching and that St. Augustinegrass was the most efficient. In a mixed stand of Kentucky bluegrass and red fescue, Morton et A (1988) reported higher inorganic -N concentrations in percolate when irrigation was applied at a rate of 3.75 cm A- (excessive irrigation) than when applied on a tensiometer -based irrigation schedule. Similarly, Snyder et A (1984) reported less NO3 N leached from bemnudagrass that received sensor -based irrigation treatments than from plots receiving a daily irrigation regime. Brown et al. (1977) reported that NO3 N losses were minimized when irrigation was matched with ET. Starrett et al. (1995) reported 30 times greater N in leachate from columns that received heavy irrigation fallowing fertilization treatment compared with a lighter, more frequent irrigation following fertilizer treatment. Turf Quality Turf quality scores varied in all years from the interaction of NR x grass and NR x IR in 2006 and 2007 (Table 2). In St. Augustinegrass, the three highest NRs provided acceptable TQ in all fertilizer cycles, with the exception of turf that received <196 kg N ha-1 in SFC of 2006 (Table 7). The lowest NR provided adequate TQonly in ESFC of 2007. Table 7. Average turf quality of established Floratam St Augustinegrass and Empire Zoysiagrass in response to N rate by fertilizer cycle n 2006 and 2007, in Citra, FL. Annual Turf qualityt N rate St. Augustinegrass Zoysiagrass SFC# ESFC# LSFC# FFC# Average SFC# ESFC LSFC FFC Average kg ha -' 1 -9 2006 490 6.7a§ 9.Oa 7.8a 7.3a 7.2a 6.5a 8.7a 72a 5.8d 6.7b 343 6.5b 8.5b 7.4b 6.9b 6.9b 6.4b 8.6b 7.1b 6.3b 6.8a 196 5.8c 7.4c 6.6c 6.2c 6.1c 6.4c 8.5c 7.Oc 6.4a 6.6c 49 4.6d 5.4d S.Od 4.1 d 4.5d 6.2d 8.0d 6.8d 5.9c 6.3d 2007 490 7.4a 9.8a 7.7a 7.3a 75a 4.9b 8.0a 7.Ob 6.7a 6.2a 343 7.Ob 9.5b 7.6b 7.1b 7.3b 5.5ab 8.4a 6.9c 6.4a 6.4a 196 6.2c 8.5c 6.8c 6.5c 6.6c 6.Oa 8.6a 7.1a 6.5a 6.6a 49 4.2d 6.6d 5.4d 4.8d 4.9d 6.4a 8.6a 6.8d 6.4a 6.6a t Turf quality was based on a scale of 1 to 9, where 1 = dead /brown turf and 9 = optimal healthy/green turf. A score of 6 was considered minimally acceptable for a home lawn. * SFC = spring fertilizer cycle, ESFC = early summer fertilizer cycle, LSFC = late su mmer fertilizer cycle, FFC = fall fertilizer cycle. § Values within a column followed by the same letter do not differ at P= 0.05. 6 Journal of Environmental Quality Zoysiagrass quality followed a different trend, with acceptable TQ at all NRs in 2006, except for the lowest and highest rates in FFC of 2006 and at the two highest rates in SFC of 2007 (Table 7). In SFC of 2007, plots receiving the highest NRs had greater incidence of large patch disease as previously discussed. Plots at the lower NRs were not as severely affected All plots maintained good TQ following fungicide application for the remainder of the year. Zoysiagrass had few differences in TQ in response to NR in 2007, other than in LSFC, when highest quality was reported from application of N at 196 kg ha--', with lower TQ in plots receiving higher NRs. Previous research (Trenholm and Unruh 2009) also indicates that zoysiagrass can maintain sufficient TQat lower NRs. Conclusions These results suggest that actively growing, healthy turfgrass mitigates NO3 N leaching from fertilization events. Maintenance of a healthy turfgrass cover is critical to reducing NO3 N leaching and therefore all turf management practices can be important best management strategies for reducing NO3 N leaching. St. Augustinegrass leaching had little association with NR, even when N was applied at the very high rates imposed here. Over the duration of the study, St. Augustinegrass quality was above acceptable N rates of > 196 kg ha ' yr '. Zoysiagrass showed greater potential for increased NO3 N leaching when turfgrass was damaged from disease and cover was lacking. However, as demonstrated in previous research (Dunn et al., 1995; Trenholm and Unruh, 2009), as well as the current research, zoysiagrass requirements for N are less than those of St. Augustinegrass. Acceptable TQ scores were maintained at < 196 kg N ha ' annually, at which rates of potential NO3 N losses were reduced_ These results suggest that N recommendations for maintenance of Empire zoysiagrass in central and north Florida may need to be revised downward, since quality can be maintained at lower N levels, disease incidence is reduced, and potential leaching could be minimized. While it is outside the scope of this research to determine if impairment of ground or surface waters will result from application of the currently recommended N rates, this research indicates that these rates will produce minimal NO3 N leaching, particularly from St. Augustinegrass. Further research is needed to determine the impacts of runoff from lawn fertilizers. Acknowledgments This research was supported by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. www.agronomy.org • www.crops.org • www.soils.org References Bowman, D.C., C.T. Chemey, and T.W. Rutty, Jr. 2002. Fate and transport of nitrogen applied to six warm - season turfgtatses. Crop Sri. 42:833 -841. doi:10.2135 /cropsd 2002.0833 Bowman, D.C., D.A. Devitt, M.C. Engelke, and T.W. Rutty; Jr. 1998. Root architecture affects nitrate leaching from bentgrass turf Crop Sci. 38:1633 -1639. doi:10. 2135/ cropsdl998 .0011183X003800060036x Brown, KW, R.L. Duble, and J.C. Thomas. 1977. Influence of management and season on faze of N applied to golf greens. Agron. J. 69:667 -671. doi: 102134/ agronj1977 .00021962006900040036x Dann, J.H., D.D. Minner, B.F. Fresenburg, S.S. Bughrara, and C.H. Hohnstrater. 1995. Influence of core aeriftcation, topdressing, and nitrogen on mat, roots, and quality of `Meyer' zoysiagrass. Agron. J. 87:891 -894. doi:10.2134/agronj 1995.00021962008700050019x Easton, Z.M., and A.M. Petrovic. 2004. Fertilizer source effect on ground and surface water quality in drainage from turfgrass. J. Environ. Qual. 33:645- 655. doi:10.21341jeg2004.0645 Erickson, J.E., J.L. Cisar, G.H. Snyder, D.M. Park, and K.E. Williams. 2008. Does a nixed- species landscape reduce inorganic - nitrogen leaching compared to a conventional St. Augustinegrass lawn? Crop Sci. 48:1586 -1594. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2007.09.0515 Erickson, J.E., J.L. Cisar, J.C. Volin, and G.H. Snyder. 2001. Comparing nitrogen runoff and leaching and between newly established St Augustinegrass turf and an alternative residential landscape. Crop Sci. 41 :1889 -1895. doi:10.2135 /cropsci2001.1889 Frank, K.W K.M. C* Reilly, J.R. Crum, and R.N. Calhoun. 2006. The fate of nitrogen applied to a manse Kentucky bluegrass turf. Crop Sci. 46:209- 215. doi:10.2135 /cropsci2005.04 -0039 Geron, C.A., T.K. Danneberger, S). Train, T.J. Logan, and J.R. Street 1993. The effects of establishment methods and fertilization practices on nitrate leaching from turrfgrass. J. Environ. Qual. 22:119 -125. doi:10.2134/ jegl993.00472425002200010015x Morton, T.G., AJ. Gold, and W.M. Sullivan. 1988. Influence of overwatering and fertilization on nitrogen losses from home lawns. J Environ. Qual. 17:124 -130. doi :10. 2134 /jeg1988.00472425001700010019x SAS Institute. 2003. SAS /STAT user's guide. Version 8. SAS Inst., Cary, NC. Shuman, L.M. 2001. Phosphate and nitrate movement through simulated golf greens. Water Air Soil Pollut 129:305 -318. doi :10.1023 /A:1010303025998 Snyder, G.H., B.J. Augustin, and J.M. Davidson. 1984. Moisture sensor - controlled irrigation for reducing N leaching in bermudagrass turf. Agron. J. 76:964 -969, doi:10. 2134/ agronjl984 .00021962007600060023x Starrett, S.K., N.E. Christians, and T.A. Austin. 1995. Face of nitrogen applied to turfgrass- covered soil columns. J. Irrig. Drain. Eng. 121:390 -395. doi :10.1061 / (ASCE)0733- 9437(1995)121:6(390) Trenholm, L.E., J.L. Cisar, and J.B. Unruh. 2011. St Augustinegrass for Florida Lawns. ENH 5. http : / /cdisff- a&ufl.edu /Ih010 (accessed 1 Nov 2011). Trenhohn, L.E., and J.B. Unruh. 2007. St Augustinegrass fertilizer trials. J. Plant Nutt. 30:453 -461. doi: 10.1080/01904160601172007 Trenholm, L.E., and J.B. Unruh. 2009. Central Florida fertilizer trials on Empire zoysiagrass and Pensacola bahiagrass. Proc. Fla. State Hortic. Soc. 122:386 -389, Unruh, J.B, L.E. Trenholm, and J.L. Cisar. 2011. Zoysiagrass for Florida Lawns. ENH 11. http: / /cdis.ifas.uf.edu (accessed 1 Nov 2011). From: Ed Sherwood [mailto:esherwood@tbep.org] Sent: Friday, May 04, 2012 11:41 AM To: 'Ed Sherwood'; hareening tbep.org; 'Tony Janicki'; Nanette Holland; 'Leesa Souto'; 'Dr. Listopad'; 'Ash, Tom'; Levy, Kelli H; 'McGee, John - PWD'; rob. brown (a )mymanatee.om; 'John Ryan' Subject: RE: OF talks fertilizer leaching FYI... I did a real quick back of the envelope calculation of the LOWEST reported annual leaching rate for ESTABLISHED St. Augustine grass from the study regardless of application rates (see Table 2 of the report = 0.9 kg /ha). If that leaching rate was applied to low /med density residential areas in the TB watershed, the GW loads to the system would approximate the values below. Recognize that the lawn area for these FLUCCSCODEs is probably less than what I calculated below... But anyways, food for thought... Annual Ed Sherwood Program Scientist Tampa Bay Estuary Program Ph: (727) 893 -2765 Fax: (727) 893 -2767 esherwood(a�tbep. org www.tbep.org A Partnership for a Healthy Bay All government correspondence is subject to the public records law. Reported Leaching Square Meters Rate from 2007 LULC (m2) HA Study kg Leached lbs Leached Tons Low Density Residential 412773484.9 41277.35 0.9 37149.61364 81900.87856 40.95044 Med. Density Residential 347201416.8 34720.14 0.9 31241;. ! .-' 75 ; 68890.32874 34.44516 TOTAL 150791.2073 75.3956 Ed Sherwood Program Scientist Tampa Bay Estuary Program Ph: (727) 893 -2765 Fax: (727) 893 -2767 esherwood(a�tbep. org www.tbep.org A Partnership for a Healthy Bay All government correspondence is subject to the public records law. From: Vavrina,Charles S [mailto:bobcat4N&ufl.edu] Sent: Friday, May 04, 2012 7:27 AM To: Vavrina,Charles S Subject: OF talks fertilizer leaching Good Morning All! Wanted to bring our latest research on fertilizer leaching in turf grass to your attention. Please find both the technical report ( http: / /gardeningsolutions .ifas.ufl.edu /cice /faculty /pdf /pubs /trenholm nitrate leaching pdf) and the trade journal report attached. It's good to share! Charlie Vavrina, PhD Professor & District Extension Director URFAS 2685 S.R. 29 N Immokalee, FL 34142 239 - 658 -3407 239- 290 -0436 (cell) Extension, your gateway to the University of Florida WARM - SEASON TURFGRASS N RATES & IRRIGATION BMP VERIFICATION DEP WM 869 COMPLETED STUDIES REPORT Principal Investigators Dr. Laurie E. Trenholm University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences P.O. Box 110675 Gainesville, Florida 32611 -0675 (352) 2734524, letr(&ufl.edu Dr. John L. Cisar University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC) 3205 College Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314 (954) 577 -6336, jlci(i )ufl.edu Dr. J. Bryan Unruh University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences West Florida Research and Education Center (WREC) Jay Research Farm 4253 Experiment Drive, Hwy. 182 Jay, FL 32565 (850) 995 -3720 x108, jbugufl.edu Dr. Jerry B. Sartain University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences P.O. Box 110510 Gainesville, Florida 32611 -0675 352- 392 -7271 ext 330, Sartain @ufl.edu This project and the preparation of this report were funded by a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Contract #: DEP WM 869 Contract Manager: Dr. Mike Thomas April 2012 NITRATE LEACHING DUE TO N SOURCE AND TIMING ON ST. AUGUSTINEGRASS 1.1 Introduction Urban landscapes have been implicated as a potential non -point source contributor to N species degradation of surface and ground water. Statewide fertilizer labeling legislation was introduced in response to mounting concerns over the impact of urban fertilization practices. The enactment limits per application nitrogen (N) rates to 49 kg N ha-1, of which, the water - soluble N portion should not exceed 34 kg N ha-1. Legislative bodies at the county and city level have imposed further restrictions prohibiting N fertilization during the traditional rainy season in south Florida from June 1St through September 30tb. Rate regulation has been imposed unilaterally across all N sources and may negate the best features of slow release N sources (SRNS), which may be more effective when applied at infrequent higher per - application rates with reduced potential for N leaching. This legislation may rule out the option to fertilize judiciously with higher rates of SRNS and sustain good turf quality throughout rainy season `black out' periods. The objectives of this study were (1) To determine if slow - release fertilizers applied under current regulatory control can provide acceptable turf quality, (2) to evaluate St. Augustinegrass quality, color, density and clipping yield response to different N sources applied at various application rates, using urea as a baseline to determine initial and long term response, and (3) to determine if SRNS applied before the summer `black out' period at higher rates than currently permitted, could sustain good St. Augustinegrass quality for the ban duration, (4) to evaluate the N leaching characteristics of the quick release, slow release, and combinations of quick and slow release N sources applied at various rates and application frequency. 1.2 Materials and Methods The field study was initiated on 30 April 2007 at the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC) using St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum Walt. Kuntze] cv. `Floratam'. The sand grown sod was established 6 -mo prior on mined medium -fine sand (very coarse 0.2 %, coarse 5.4 %, medium 29.9 %, fine sand 62.9 %, very fine sand 1.5 %, and silt and clay 0.1 %) having similar textural characteristics to the Margate/Hallandale fine sand series (Siliceous, hyperthermic Lythic Psammaquent) found in this coastal plain region. Periodic soil - testing, sampled to a depth of 10 cm, averaged across all plots revealed a pH of 7.0, 2.5% organic matter, very high P (Weak Bray P1 63 mg kg- '), and high K (51 mg kg-1). Due to high K mobility in sandy soil, Muriate of Potash at 49 kg K ha' was applied every 90 -d, but no supplementary P was required. Micro - nutrients were applied as Harrell's Max Minors® containing Mg 1 %, S 3.5 %, B 0.02 %, Cu 0.25 %, Fe 4 %, Mn 1 %, Zn 0.6% and Mo 0.0005% at 12.3 L product in 420 L water ha -1 every 90 -d to ensure adequate tissue concentrations. The 2 x 4 m plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. A single bucket lysimeter was installed in each plot. The lysimeter has a surface area of 0.264 m2 (square or round) and is 0.9 m deep. Lysimeters were constructed of a heavy grade plastic with a leachate evacuation port located on the bottom of each. PVC pipe was attached to each lysimeter leading to gravity flow collection points adjacent to the plots. For N sources, N application rates, and frequencies see Table 53. The 49 kg ha-1 applications were on 30 April, 30 June, and 31 August, 2007. Dates for 98 kg ha 1 applications were 30 April and 31 August, 2007, while the single 147 kg ha 1 application was on 30 April, 2007. The controlled- release liquid 74 treatment was applied in solution at 181 ml m -2 using a CO2 sprayer, equipped with two flat -fan Tee Jet 8010 nozzles on 50 cm spacing. Granular sources were hand sprinkled. The irrigation system configuration (i.e. 2 plots per irrigation zone) permitted all treatments to be watered into the turf immediately following applications to reduce volatile N losses. Irrigation was scheduled 3 times per week delivering approximately 0.6 cm at each event, including post - treatment. Fertilizer responses were evaluated in terms of St. Augustinegrass quality, color, density and clipping yield. Visual quality ratings (scale of 1 -9 with 9 =dark green uniform turf, 1= dead/brown turf and 6= minimally acceptable turf) were made every two weeks. Clipping samples were harvested from each plot, removed, and sub - sampled for shoot growth, approximately weekly at a 75 min height of cut. Samples were oven dried at 60 °C for 48 hrs to a constant weight and reported in g M-2 day I. Table 53. N source designation, description, application information used in the study. Code t Description % N Per app. rate (kg N ha-') App. cycles year' Manufacturer CRL 1 12% Urea; 18% methylene urea and 30 49 6 Georgia - Pacific, Inc. triazone Decatur, GA CRL2 12% Urea; 18% methylene urea and 30 98 3 Georgia - Pacific, Inc. triazone Decatur, GA CRL3 12% Urea; 18% methylene urea and 30 147 2 Georgia- Pacific, Inc. triazone Decatur, GA PCU1 Polymer- coated urea 42 49 6 Pursell Inc. Sylacauga, AL PCU2 Polymer- coated urea 42 98 3 Pursell Inc. Sylacauga, AL PCU3 Polymer - coated urea 42 147 2 Pursell Inc. Sylacauga, AL BSI Lawn grade activated sewage sludge 6 49 6 Milorganite, bio -solid Miliwaukee, WI BS2 Lawn grade activated sewage sludge 6 98 3 Milorganite, bio -solid Miliwaukee, WI BS3 Lawn grade activated sewage sludge 6 147 2 Milorganite, bio -solid Miliwaukee, WI UPCU1 50:50 N combination urea:polymer- 44 49 6 Pursell Inc. & coated urea PCS Sales, Inc UPCU2 50:50 N combination urea:polymer- 44 98 3 Pursell Inc. & coated urea PCS Sales, Inc Urea Granular 46 49 6 PCS Sales, Inc. Northbrook, IL t Source code: CRL = Control release liquid; PCU = Polymer- coated urea; BS = Activated sewage sludge biosolid; UPCU = Urea in combination with polymer - coated urea Percolate water samples were collected weekly or more frequently following precipitation events exceeding 25 mm. The sample matrix was frozen at -4 °C before being analyzed by OF Gainesville laboratory (NO3 -N Colorimetric, EPA Method 353.2). Data reported in mg NO3 -N leached M-2. 75 St. Augustinegrass clipping yield, visual ratings, and NO3 -N leaching data were subject to analysis of variance using with PROC GLM (SAS Institute, 1999) and the means were separated by Waller- Duncan Multiple range test, K ratio =100 (P <0.05). Results and Discussion — Year 1 Hydrology The experiment was run during a period of time bracketing the main south Florida wet season. As such, rainfall quantities were over 2 times greater than irrigation applied and percolation was near 130 cm over the period (Table 54). Table 54. Hydrology data by cycle for N Source and Frequency Test Hydrology Factors Cycle (C) x rate Precipitation Irrigation Percolate 49 kg ha' C1 58.9 15.7 54.9 C2 30.8 17.7 39.2 0 54.7 15.2 31.5 98 kg ha' C1 89.7 33.4 97.4 C2 54.7 15.2 32.4 147 kg ha' Cl 144.4 48.6 129.1 Turfgrass Quality and Clipping Yields Comparisons of N sources applied at 49 kg ha -1 at 60 -d intervals Fertilizer treatments were divided into six cycles per year (Table 53). In cycle 1 PCU and BS were slow to induce satisfactory ratings (Table 55). Cumulative turf quality increases during cycle 2 suggest residual N release from preceding applications may be sufficient to sustain adequate turf quality (Table 55). Compared to other sources at this N rate, CRL plots were of inferior quality (P <0.05). When averaged, clipping yields from CRL were 27% of urea during the experimental period (Table 56). Polymer- coated urea resulted in higher numerical ratings than BS, although differences (P <0.05) were only noted 33 days after treatments (DAT) in cycle 2 (Table 55). However, when averaged, clipping yields relative to urea in the cycles 1 through 3 were 70% from the BS treatment and only 48% from PCU. Slower initial N release from PCU, together with higher yields following BS fertilization in cycle 1 and 2, presumably due to the soluble -N component in BS may explain higher clipping yields but lower actual turf quality (Tables 55 and 56). Urea maintained good turf quality throughout each application cycle. However, UPCU 1 provided more consistent turf quality relative to urea, which induced higher ratings immediately following applications but had lower quality in the last quarter of several cycles. Based on these data for a 6 -month period of time, under urban fertilizer restrictions, UPCU I may offer a legitimate alternative to frequent urea applications. However, it bears emphasizing that the use of other soluble and SRN sources and timing may provide different results and interpretations. Comparisons of N sources applied at 98 kg ha -1 at 120 -d intervals The SRNS evaluated performed best under this 3 cycle per year regime for the 6 -month reporting period. PCU delivered higher quality ratings than BS, although statistical differences were only noted 95 and 7 DAT in cycle 1 and 2, respectively. Furthermore, PCU was statistically superior to CRL following a relatively slow initial response in cycle 1 (Tables 55). Comparisons of clipping yield 32 DAT in experiment 1 may elucidate initial release patterns; CRL, BS, and PCU induced yields of 93, 74, and 41 %, respectively, compared to urea (Table 56). These differences were less apparent in subsequent cycles where yields dropped considerably for CRL plots perhaps in part due to lower shoot density (data not included). In contrast, BS generated yields > to urea 32 DAT in cycle 2 with PCU plots showing yields of 83% that of urea, conceivably implicating residual N carry -over or simply healthier turf prior to applications (Table 56). UPCU2 outperformed SRNS in terms of quality ratings and had mean quality ratings per cycle almost identical to that of urea. Clipping yields from UPCU2 were for the most part undistinguishable from urea (P <0.05), however a peak of N release between 30 and 60 DAT produced numerically higher yields and during cycle 2 statistically elevated yields. More importantly, both yield and turf quality did not differ significantly (P >0.95) between UPCU2 and urea in the latter stage of each 120 -d cycle (Table 55 and 56), indicating a good overall agronomic performance. Comparisons within N Sources applied at 147 kg ha -1 at 180 -d intervals The SRNS evaluated were unable to provide N release through the entire 180 d window, although differences in initial and long -term response were observed. CRL gave acceptable St. Augustinegrass quality for approximately 120 d with acceptable turf quality apparent 9 DAT (Table 18). Initial turf quality and clipping yield responses from BS were similar to CRL, although BS maintained initial responses with gradual yield increases from 166% at 32 DAT to a maximum of 200% at 59 DAT compared to urea (Tables 55 and 56). Both PCU and BS provided acceptable turf quality of comparable 150 -d periods. Initial responses were considerably slower, 32 DAT for PCU compared to BS where quality was deemed acceptable 9 DAT, however, weighed against other SRNS, PCU stimulated superior quality ratings (P <0.05) for a large proportion of this cycle (Table 55). The data also indicates that all SRNS tested would be capable of sustaining adequate turf quality for the 120 -d fertilizer `black out' period imposed by certain local legislative bodies. Both PCU and BS at this rate provided adequate turf quality for an extra 30 -d period, denoting the potential to reduce application rates to provide sufficient turf quality for enforced black outs. Total cumulative yields for PCU were greater than urea, however, excessive yields concentrated into moderately short periods produced peaks of 2.5 times that of urea (Table 56). Periods of elevated mowing requirements relative to frequent urea applications may prove unacceptable in the lawn care industry where clipping disposal may have financial and environmental implication Turfgrass Color Turfgrass color is an important component of overall turfgrass quality and as such ratings were closely linked. Therefore, the discussion will focus only on differences between visual factors. Changes in turfgrass color occur more rapidly in response to N fertilization and may provide additional information on the N release patterns of sources. Our findings suggest that improvements in St. Augustinegrass color 77 and quality in response to soluble N source occur largely in unison or that the rating scheduling was too infrequent to divulge differences. Table 55. Turfgrass quality ratings from 30 April through 30 October, 2007 as influenced by N source. Source§ 04/29 05/08 05/31 St. Augustinegrass Quality Rating Dates 06/20 06/27 07/27 08/02 08/24 09/07 09/23 10/06 10/19 10/30 Avg.¶ Ratings (1 -9 Scale) 60-d Cycle ------------ - - - - -- Cycle 1 ----- - - - - -- -- - - - - -- Cycle 2 - - - - - -- ----------- - - - - -- Cycle 3 --- ------------- DATt 0 9 32 52 59 27 33 55 7 23 36 49 60 CRLI 5.3$ 5.8ef 5.Od 5.5f 5.5f$ 6.3e 6.7de 6.3d$ 6.2e 6.2gh 5.5f 6.Ode 5.3f$ 5.8h PCUI 5.3$ 5.3f 5.Od 5.8ef 6.3cde 7.3abc 7.8a 7.7a$ 7.Ocd 7.2def 7.5abc 7.2ab 7.Obcd 6.9c -f $ $ BSI 5.2$ 6.3c -f 6.Obcd 6.Odef 6.3cde 7.2bcd 7.2bc 7.3abc 6.8cde 7.2def 6.8cde 6.8bc 6.2e$ 6.8def $ $ UPCUI 5.3$ 7.0a -d 5.8cd 6.Odef 6.Oef$ 7.2bcd 7.8a 7.3abc 8.Oab 7.7bcd 7.5abc 6.8bc 7.2bc$ 7.lbc $ Urea 5.7$ 7.8a 7.2ab 6.3c -e 6.8bcd 7.8a 7.5ab 7.5ab$ 8.3a 8.2ab 7.7ab 6.8bc 6.5cde 7.4ab 120 -d Cycle -------- - --------- - --- - -- - - - -- Cycle 1 -- - - -- ------ --- - -- - -- - - -- ---- ------ - -- - - -- -Cycle 2 -------------------- DAT' 0 9 32 52 59 89 95 117 7 23 36 49 60 CRL2 5.3$ 7.3abc 6.5abc 6.2def 6.2def 6.3e 6.8cde 6.7cd$ 6.5de 7.Oef 6.3e 6.2de 6.2e 6.6fg PCU2 5.3$ 5.3f 5.7cd 7.2abc 7.5ab 7.2bcd 7.7a 7.5ab$ 7.5bc 7.5cde 7.8ab 7.5a 8.2a 7.3ab BS2 5.3$ 6.Odef 6.5abc 6.7cde 7.Obc 7.Ocd 6.5e 7.0a- 6.7de 7.8bc 7.3bcd 7.3ab 7.Obcd 7.lbc d$ UPCU2 5.3$ 7.7ab 7.7a 6.8bcd 7.2ab 7.Ocd 7.Ocd 7.3abc 8.2ab 8.5a 8.2a 7.3ab 7.6ab 7.7a $ 180 -d Cycle ------ - - - - -- -- ------------------- - - - - -- -- -- - - -- Cycle 1 ----------------------------------------------- DAT' 0 9 32 52 59 89 95 117 131 147 160 173 184 CRU3 5.5$ 7.4abc 7.2ab 6.5cde 6.3cde 6.7de 6.8cde 6.8bcd 6.8cde 5.2i 5.3f 5.7e 5.0f$ 6.2gh PCU3 5.3$ 5.5f 6.2bcd 7.8a 7.8a 7.7ab 7.8a 7.7a 8.Oab 6.7fg 7.3bcd 6.3cd 6.3de$ 7.Obcd BS3 5.7$ 6.7b -e 7.7a 7.7ab 7.3ab 7.Ocd 7.2bc 7.2abc 7.2cd 5.8h 6.7de 6.2de 5.3f$ 6.7ef Significance NS * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** NS, * *, and * * *, = P >0.05, P <0.01, and P <0.001 Ratings based on a 1 -9 scale in increments of 0.5, 9 = dark green turfgrass, 1= dead turfgrass, 6 = minimally acceptable turfgrass. Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Waller -Duncan K -ratio = 100 t -Test. DATE = Days after treatments. $ Fertilization events followed harvest dates. ¶ Average quality rating for the experimental period. § Source code: CRL 1, 2, and 3 = Control release liquid applied at 49 kg N ha-', 98 kg N ha-1, and 147 kg N ha 1, respectively; PCU 1, 2, and 3 = Polymer- coated urea applied at 49 kg N ha 1, 98 kg N ha 1, and 147 kg N ha-1, respectively; BS 1, 2, and 3 = Activated sewage sludge biosolid applied at 49 kg N ha-', 98 kg N ha-', and 147 kg N ha 1, respectively; UPCU 1 and 2 = Urea in equal N combination with polymer - coated urea applied at 49 kg N ha 1 and 98 kg N ha-1, respectively. When color and quality ratings from SRNS were compared, only PCU at 49 and 98 kg ha' demonstrated elevated color prior to improvements in quality ratings. Acceptable color was obtained 52 and 32 DAT for PCU at 49 and 98 kg ha 1, respectively; whereas acceptable quality required 59 and 52 DAT at 49 and 98 kg ha 1, respectively in cycle 1 (Table 55 and 57). Following fertilizer applications in subsequent cycles these differences were less evident, perhaps due to residual N carry over from the previous cycle. For CRL and BS, color and quality improvements occurred at similar rates, which may be explained by the soluble fraction of these sources, 33 and 20% for CRL and BS, respectively. 78 Table 56. Clipping yields from 29 April through 30 October, 2007 influenced by N source. Source§ 05/31 06/20 06/27 07/10 St. Augustinegrass Harvest Dates 07/18 07/27 08/09 08/24 09/07 09/17 10/02 10/12 10/26 Avg. ¶ --------------- ----------------- - - - --- --- Growth Rate --2 d- - - -- 60-d Cycle -- - - - - -- Cycle 1 - - - - - -- ------ - - - - -- -- Cycle 2 ------ --- - - - - -- ------ -- - -- - -- Cycle 3 -------------------- DATt 32 52 59 10 18 27 40 55 7 17 32 42 56 CRL1 0.12cde 026e 0.04e$ 0.29e 0.83e 0.70cd 0.07f 0.08e$ 0.06d 0.09e 0.06d 0.33e 0.05fT 0.23e PCUI 0.08e 0.33de 0.05de 034de 0.9le 0.52d 0.26c -f 0.38b- 032bc 0.32b -e 0.27d 1.09be 0.35de 0.40de $ d: d t BSI 0.17cde 0.57de 0.08de 0.68cde 2.Ib 0.93bc 0.34bc 0.50bc 036bc 0.46bc 0.34cd 0.77cd 0.25def 0.58bc $ d d d$ d d # UPCUI 0.18cde 0.40de 0.06de 0.75cde 1.75bc 122bc 0.32be 0.46bc 0.45ab 0.60ab 0.72b 1.24b 0.43bc 0.66b d d d: 9. Urea 0.27bc 0.65cde 0.09cde 1.74ab 1.82bc 1.34b 0.48be 0.58bc 0.45ab 0.96a 0.77b 1.23b 0.36cde 0.83ab $ d $ $ 120 -d Cycle - - -- - Cycle I - -- - - -- - Cycle 2 - -- -- DATt 32 52 59 72 80 89 102 117 7 17 32 42 56 CRL2 0.25bc 0.49de 0.07de 0.55cde 1.12de 0.51d 0.09ef 0.15de 0.13cd 0.24b -e 0.22d 0.60de 0.14f 035de d $ PCU2 0.11de 0.65cde 0.09cde L05bc 2.00bc 1.25bc 0.56b 0.73bl 0.43abc 0.34b -e 0.64bc 1.48b 0.63ab 0.77ab d BS2 0.20cde 0.75bc 0.11bc 0.60cde 1.05de 0.80bc 0.18edf 0.21de 0.13ed 0.39b -d 0.78b 1.49b 0.60bc 0.56bc d d d # UPCU2 0.35ab 1.10abc 0.16abc 1.15bc 1.56b -d 1.03bc 028c -f 0.37b- 0.32bc 0.56b 1.16a 1.95a 0.86a 0.83ab d d$ d 180 -d Cycle -- - -- Cycle 1 - - - -- - -- DATt 32 52 59 72 80 89 102 117 131 141 156 166 180 CRL3 0.43a 0.80bc 0.11bc 0.83cde 1.27cde 0.71cd 0.13def 0.16de 0.09d 0.14de 0.07d 0.3le 0.06f$ 0.39de d d PCU3 0.13cde 1.14ab 0.16ab 2.27a 3.38a 1.96a 1.14a 1.23a 0.73a 0.51bc 0.34cd 0.71cde 0.15ef$ 1.07a BS3 0.45a 1.28a 0.18a 1.07bc 1.94bc 1.18bc 0.30c -f 0.35cde 0.22bc 0.15cde 0.11d 0.40de 0.09f$ 0.58bc d Significance * * ** * * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** ** and * ** = P <0.01 and P <0.001 Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Waller- Duncan K -ratio = 100 t -Test. DATt Days after treatments. $ Fertilization events followed harvest dates. ¶ Average growth rate for the experimental period. § Source code: CRL 1, 2, and 3 = Control release liquid applied at 49 kg N hat, 98 kg N bat, and 147 kg N ha-1, respectively; PCU 1, 2, and 3 = Polymer - coated urea applied at 49 kg N hat, 98 kg N ha i, and 147 kg N ha i, respectively; BS 1, 2, and 3 = Activated sewage sludge biosolid applied at 49 kg N ha', 98 kg N ha ', and 147 kg N ha t, respectively; UPCU 1 and 2 = Urea in equal N combination with polymer - coated urea applied at 49 kg N hat and 98 kg N ha', respectively. All treatments totaled 294 kg N hat year-'. 79 Table 57. Turfgrass color ratings from 29 April through 30 October, 2007 as influenced by N source. Source§ St. Augustinegrass Color Rating Dates 04/29 05/08 05/31 06/20 06/27 07/27 08/02 08/24 09/07 09/23 10/06 10/19 10/30 Ave. ¶ Ratings (1 -9 Scale) bad Uyele ------------ - - - - -- Cycle 1 ----------- - - - - -- -- - - - - -- Cycle 2 - - - - - -- ------------ - - - - -- Cycle 3 ----------------- 147 DATt 0 9 32 52 59 27 33 55 7 23 36 49 60 5.3e CRLI 5.71 5.8def 5.Oef 6.0d 5.7e1 6.5e 7.Oe 6.0d$ 6.3de 6.2cd 6.2f 6.2de 5.2gf$ 6.Of PCUI 5.31 5.3f 4.8f 6.5cd 6.7cd$ 7.5c 8.2a 7.3ab$ 7.2b 7.Ob 7.5abc 7.3ab 6.8bc$ 6.8cde BSI 5.31 5.8def 6.2b -e 6.5cd 6.8cd$ 7.7bc 7.5cd 6.8abc 7.Obc 7.2b 6.8de 6.8bc 5.8def 6.8e 6.3ef 6.2de 5.3gfT 6.6e Significance NS * ** ** $ * ** * ** * ** ** $ * ** UPCU1 5.51 6.8bc 5.7def 6.7cd 6.7cd$ 7.7bc 8.Oab 7.2ab$ 8.Oa 7.8a 7.3bcd 7.Obc 6.7c$ 7.lbc Urea 5.71 7.8a 7.3ab 7.2bc 7.Obc$ 8.3a 7.7bc 7.5a1 8.Oa 7.7a 7.5abc 6.8bc 6.3cde 7.4ab 1 120 -d Cycle ------------------ ------ ---- -- Cycle 1 -- -- -------------- - - - - -- ---------------------- Cycle 2 ----- - ------- --- DAT f 0 9 32 52 59 89 95 117 7 23 36 49 60 CRL2 5.31 7.3ab 6.3bcd 6.5cd 6.7cd 6.7de 7.Oe 6.2cd1 7.2b 6.8b TOW 6.5cd 5.7efg 6.6e PCU2 5.51 5.5ef 6.0c -f 7.7ab 7.8a 7.5c 8.Oab 7.3ab1 6.8bcd 7.7a 7.8ab 7.8a 7.7a 7.3ab BS2 5.5$ 6.2cde 7.Oabc 7.3bc 7.Obc 7.2cd 7.2de 6.7bcd 6.8bcd 7.7a 7.8ab 7.3ab 6.5cd 7.lbcd 1 UPCU2 5.51 7.7a 7.7a 7.7ab 7.5ab 7.2cd 7.5cd 7.Oab$ 8.3a 8.Oa 8.Oa 7.3ab 7.5ab 7.6a 180 -d Cycle -------------------- ---------------- -- ---------- - ---- ----------- Cycle 1 ----------------------- --------------- --- ---- -- -- -- -- DATE 0 9 32 52 59 89 95 117 131 147 160 173 184 CRL3 5.5$ 8.Oa 7.2abc 6.8bcd 6.3d 6.7de 7.Oe 6.8abc 6.2e 5.3e 5.3g 5.7e 5.0g$ 6.2f PCU3 5.31 5.3f 6.0c -f 8.3a 8.Oa 8.2ab 8.2a 7.3ab 7.Obc 6.3c 6.3ef 6.7cd 5.8def 6.8de $ BS3 5.8$ 6.5cd 7.7a 8.3ab 7.7a 7.2cd 7.2bc 6.8abc 6.5cde 5.8d 6.3ef 6.2de 5.3gfT 6.6e Significance NS * ** ** ** * ** * ** * ** ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** NS, * *, and * * *, = P >0.05, P <0.01, and P <0.001 Ratings based on a 1 -9 scale in increments of 0.5, 9 = dark green turfgrass, 1 = brown/dead turfgrass, 6 = minimally acceptable turfgrass. Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Waller -Duncan K -ratio = 100 t -Test. DATA- = Days after treatments. $ Fertilization events followed rating dates. ¶ Average color rating for the experimental period. § Source code: CRL 1, 2, and 3 = Control release liquid applied at 49 kg N ha', 98 kg N ha-', and 147 kg N ha', respectively; PCU 1, 2, and 3 = Polymer- coated urea applied at 49 kg N ha', 98 kg N ha', and 147 kg N ha i, respectively; BS 1, 2, and 3 = Activated sewage sludge biosolid applied at 49 kg N ha ', 98 kg N ha', and 147 kg N ha', respectively; UPCU 1 and 2 = Urea in equal N combination with polymer - coated urea applied at 49 kg N ha' and 98 kg N ha', respectively. -* Table 58. Turfgrass density influenced by N source and application frequency. Source Rating Dates Code§ 05/31/07 08/02/07 10/30/07 Average -------- - - - - -- t Rating Scale (1 -9) -------- - - - - -- CRL 1 4.8e 6.5c 4.0e 5.le CRL 2 6.3 a -d 6.5 c 5.0 cde 5.9cd CRL 3 7.0 ab 6.7 c 4.2 e 5.9cd PCU 1 4.5 e 7.5 ab 6.3 b 6.1 bcd PCU 2 5.2 de 7.5 ab 7.5 a 6.7ab PCU 3 5.7 b -e 7.7 a 5.7 bcd 6.3bcd UPCU 1 5.3 de 7.5 ab 6.3 b 6.4bcd UPCU 2 6.8 abc 7.2 ab 7.5 a 7.2a UREA 6.3 a -d 7.3 ab 6.2 be 6.6abc BS 1 5.5 cde 7.0 be 5.0 cde 5.8d BS 2 6.8 abc 6.7 c 6.0 be 6.5a -d BS 3 7.7 a 7.0 be 4.7 de 6.4bcd Significance * ** * ** * ** ** ** and * ** = P <0.01 and P <0.001 Ratings based on a 1 -9 scale in increments of 0.5, 9 = optimum turfgrass density, 1 = bare soil, 6 = minimally acceptable turfgrass density; Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Waller -Duncan K -ratio = 100 t -Test; t Mean of 3 replications. § Source code: CRL 1, 2, and 3 = Control release liquid applied at 49 kg N ha 1, 98 kg N hat, and 147 kg N ha71, respectively; PCU 1, 2, and 3 = Polymer - coated urea applied at 49 kg N hat, 98 kg N ha 1, and 147 kg N ha-1, respectively; BS 1, 2, and 3 = Activated sewage sludge biosolid applied at 49 kg N ha 1, 98 kg N hat, and 147 kg N ha-1, respectively; UPCU 1 and 2 = Urea in equal N combination with polymer- coated urea applied at 49 kg N ha 1 and 98 kg N ha-1, respectively. Turfgrass Density Turfgrass density was significantly affected by treatments on all rating dates (Table 58). One month after the initiation of the trial, turfgrass density was improved by increasing N with the first application date (Table 58). By the end of the 6 month trial period, turfgrass density declined somewhat compared to the initial rating (Table 58). For example, on 30 October, 2007, the BS 3 treatment had a density rating of 4.7, numerically lower than the BS 1 treatment of 5.0 (although not statistically different). The BS 2 treatment had the significantly greater density, however, its second application had come 2 months prior to the end of the 6 -month period so in essence it had received 49 kg N ha -1 more than the other two BS treatments over the time period (Table 58). The best average treatment for density over the entire period was the UPCU2 treatment (Table 58). The UPCU2 treatment was statistically better than all treatments except the BS2, and PCU2 treatments (also quarterly application frequency). NO3 -N Leaching Regardless of the application rate or timing frequency the SRNS tested had significantly (P <0.05) lower levels ofNO3 -N leaching. Only CRL at 147 kg N ha] resulted in NO3 -N losses in excess of 1% applied N (Table 59). In contrast, urea applied solely or in combination at 49 kg soluble N ha-1 produced significantly (P <0.05) greater leaching with total losses of 7.9% from urea and 5.2% UPCU 81 of applied N (Table 59). When applied according to current BMP guidelines (24.5 kg soluble N ha 1 application-') for St. Augustinegrass lawns, less than 1% applied N was leached. Nevertheless, the majority of NO3 -N leaching occurred following initial applications on 30 April and losses from soluble N source declined with subsequent cycles. For instance, following application on 31 August minimal NO3 -N leaching ensued even from soluble N sources applied at 49 kg N ha-1. The St. Augustinegrass was planted in 6 December 2006 and the relatively immature root system may not have developed fully at the initiation of the experiment. Thus, initial N losses may not be indicative of the NO3 -N leaching associated with a mature St. Augustinegrass stand. The preliminary data suggest that both BS and PCU applied before summer fertilizer "black out" periods at 147 kg N ha-1 may have limited environmental implications. Both sources resulted in less than 0.5% of applied N leached and produced good quality St. Augustinegrass for durations in excess of the 120 -d `blackout' period. Table 59. NO3 -N leaching (mg m �) from established St. Augustinegrass as influenced by N source and application frequency for the summer 2007 experimental period (04/30/07 - 10/20/07). Source N Rate NO3 -N Leached per Total NO3- Total N NOx -N Code§ Cycle' Application Cycle N Leached Applied Leached -------- - --------- -----___ mg m 2 .-- .- ................ --- - -- -- % -- -- C 1 -- -- C2 -- -- C3 -- CRL1 4900 26.4 35.5 17.0 78.9 b 14700 0.53 PCU1 4900 31.6 20.7 17.5 69.8 b 14700 0.47 BSI 4900 37.8 20.9 17.9 76.5 b 14700 0.52 UPCU1 4900 30.8 889 16.0 135.7 b 14700 0.92 Urea 4900 895.9 253.6 16.0 1165.5 a 14700 7.93 -- Cl -- -- C2 -- CRL2 9800 99.6 17.0 116.6 b 19600 0.59 PCU2 9800 43.5 23.7 67.2 b 19600 0.34 BS2 9800 54.3 16.3 70.6 b 19600 0.36 UPCU2 9800 998.9 16.2 1015.1 a 19600 5.18 -- Cl -- CRL3 14700 173.7 b 173.7 b 14700 1.18 PCU3 14700 64.9 b 64.9 b 14700 0.44 BS3 14700 67.1 b 67.1 b 14700 0.456 Significanc NS NS NS NS and * = P >0.05 and P <0.05 Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Waller - Duncan K -ratio = 100 t -Test. § Source code: CRL 1, 2, and 3 = Control release liquid applied at 49 kg N ha -1, 98 kg N ha-', and 147 kg N ha-1, respectively; PCU 1, 2, and 3 = Polymer - coated urea applied at 49 kg N ha', 98 kg N ha-', and 147 kg N ha-1, respectively; BS 1, 2, and 3 = Activated sewage sludge biosolid applied at 49 kg N ha 1, 98 kg N ha-1, and 147 kg N ha-1, respectively; UPCU 1 and 2 = Urea in equal N combination with polymer- coated urea applied at 49 kg N ha -1 and 98 kg N ha-1, respectively. All treatments totaled 294 kg N ha-' year-'. Conclusion The preliminary findings of this study suggest that acceptable turf quality is possible with high frequency, low application rates of SRNS; however we found that lower frequency, higher application rates of many SRNS produce better quality turf. Thus, limiting application rates reduce optimal slow release performance with respect to turf quality and clipping yields. The higher per - application rates, which exceeded current regulated rates, over more extended periods, resulted in better turf quality, particularly for PCU at 98 kg N ha I on a 120 -d release window. Furthermore, both PCU and BS applied at 2 and 3 times the current regulated rate resulted in the lowest levels of N leaching. Even so, the SRNS evaluated were inadequate in terms of either initial or long term response relative to urea applied at 60 -d intervals, although we found that all SRNS applied at 147 kg N ha were capable of delivering acceptable turf quality for the 120 -d fertilizer black out period with limited environment consequences in term of N leaching. Our preliminary findings indicated that slow - release N in combination with soluble sources (e.g. UPCU) offered a viable alternative to frequent applications of urea when turf quality was concerned during the period of the present test. However, the soluble fraction in combination sources should be limited to current best management guidelines of 24.5 kg soluble N ha I application-' to limit the potential for NO3 -N leaching. The variable performance of the SRNS tested at high frequency, low rates suggests the need for more extensive evaluations of SRNS on St. Augustinegrass to provide N source recommendations with the least potential for ground and surface water degradation. Moreover, other soluble sources and percent soluble:SRN combinations should be evaluated to ascertain performance of other commercially- available products. N SOURCE AND TBIING — YEAR 2 Regardless of N source, all treated plots had quality levels above acceptable levels through the last part of the year (Fig. 13 and 14) Figure 13. St. Augustinegrass quality from September 1, 2008 through January 9, 2009 for slow - release N sources applied at 147 kg N ha I. Arrow indicates fertilization events. T a� T_ c a J 9.5 9.0 8.5 8.0 7.5 7.0 6.5 6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 -� CRL3 .L - +- PCU3 s Q � - - --- - --- -• v� o------ - - - --o I Poo Qoo ob os' ,)b 00 00 00 0`b o0 os' Rating Dates 83 Figure 14. St. Augustinegrass quality from September 1, 2008 through January 9, 2009 for slow - release N sources applied at 49 kg N ha 1. Arrow indicates fertilization events. �u c� H tQ K 9.5 9.0 8.5 8.0 7.5 7.0 6.5 6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 -fl CRL1 - +- PCU1 • BS1 -- UPCU1 4k -UREA Q. i -sllF �� • Y _ a- - 00 00 00 d) 00 00 00 O`b O% 00 O`b (�§, 00 Ratings Dates Established Turf N Rate Study St. Augustinegrass did not show any response to irrigation for quality scores or turf growth, but did respond to N rate (Tables 60 - 64). Quality and color scores increased as N increased. Acceptable scores were achieved on all rating dates with 4 lbs. N. Table 60. Effect of N fertilization on St. Augustinegrass visual quality for Established Turf N Rate Study at Site 2. lbs N/M 10/19 11/20 12/24 1/18 2/19 3/18 4/8 2.0 6.6c 5.8c 5.7b 5.9b 4.9c 5.1 c 6.Ob 4.0 7.3b 6.4bc 6.4ab 6.5b 6.1b 6.3b 6.3b 6.0 TO 6.8ab 6.Ob 6.6b 6.4b 6.6b 6.8ab 12.0 8.3a 7.3a 7.1a 8.1a 7.5a 7.6a 7.4a SiQnif * ** * ** * * ** * ** * ** ** and ** = P <0.001, P <0.05, and P <0.01 respectively. Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Turfgrass visual quality ratings based on a 1 -10 scale with 10 =dark green turf, 1= dead/brown turf, and 6= minimally acceptable turf 84 It Table 61. Effect of irrigation on St. Augustinegrass visual quality for Established Turf N Rate Study at Site 2. Irrigation 04/18 10/19 11/20 12/24 1/18 2/19 3/18 4/8 0.5" 3X/wk 7.4 6.5 6.3 6.9 6.0 6.3 6.7 0.1" Daily 7.4 6.7 6.3 6.9 6.4 6.5 6.5 Significance ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns = P >0.05 Turfgrass visual quality ratings based on a 1 -10 scale with 10 =dark green turf, 1= dead/brown turf, and 6= minimally acceptable turf. Table 62. Effects of Irrigation regime and Nitrogen fertilization on qualm of St. Augustinegrass. Factor 04/18 05/05 05/28 06/20 07/02 Irrigation ----------- - - - - -- Quality (1-10)------------- - - - - -- Regime 0.1" Daily 0.1" Daily 6.4 6.9 6.5 6.7 6.9 0.5" 3X /wk 6.3 6.6 6.3 6.7 6.8 Sig. ns ns ns ns ns N Rate (lb 1000 "1 yr 1). (lb 1000-1 yf 1). 2 2 5.4c 6.Oc 5.6c 6.Oc 6.4c 4 6.3b 6.4c 6.Obc 6.6b 6.6bc 6 6.4b 6.9b 6.4b 7.0ab 7.Oab 12 7.1a 7.7a 7.6a 7.3a 7.4a Sig. ** ** ** ** ** Irr. X N Interaction Sig. Sig. ns ns ns ns ns ns and ** = P > 0.05 and P < 0.01 Table 63. Effects of Irrigation regime and Nitrogen fertilization on color of St. Augustinegrass Factor 04/18 05105 05/28 06/20 07/02 Irrigation ---------- - - - - -- -Color (1- 10)------------- - - - - -- Regime 0.1" Daily 6.4 7.3a 6.1 6.9 7.1 0.5" 3X/wk 6.5 6.9b 5.9 6.8 7.0 Sig. ns * ns ns ns N Rate (lb 1000 "1 yr 1). 2 5.9c 6.4c 5.2b 6.4b 6.4c 4 6.4b 6.8c 5.6b 6.7b 6.9b 6 6.5b 7.3b 6.Ob 6.9ab 7.2b 12 7.2a 8.Oa 7.3a 7.4a 7.9a Sig. ** ** ** ** ** Irr. X N Interaction Sig. ns ns ns ns ns *, * *, and ns refer to P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P > 0.05, respectively 85 Table 64. Effects of irrigation regime and Nitrogen fertilization on clipping yield of St. Augustinegrass Factor 04/15 05105 05/29 06/09 07/03 Irrigation...................... g/m ------------------ - - - - -- Regime 6.8b 6.6 6.7 6.6 6.Oc 0.1" Daily 11.1 21.2 18.0 23.0 38.5 0.5" 3X/wk 10.1 19.8 22.0 18.7 36.1 Sig. ns ns ns ns ns N Rate 7.1b 7.2 6.9 7.6 7.1 a (lb 1000 -' yf 7.4a 2 21.2b 6.41b 4.7b 7.5b 14.1b 4 9.Ob 17.7b 15.2b 16.Ob 27.1b 6 9.Ob 14.6b 15.Ob 16.7b 33.8b 12 3.Oa 43.3a 43.9a 43.8a 74.1a Sig. ** ** ** ** ** Irr. X N Interaction Sig. ns ns ns ns ns * *, and ns refer to P < 0.0 1, and P > 0.05, respectively Table 65. Effect of N fertilization on bahiagrass visual quality for Established Turf N Rate Study at Site lbs N/M 10/19 11/20 12/24 1/18 2/19 3/18 4/8 1.0 6.8b 6.6 6.7 6.6 6.Oc 6.3b 6.3b 2.0 7.Ob 6.8 7.1 7.0 6.5bc 6.6b 6.6b 4.0 7.6a 7.1 7.3 73 6.8ab 6.8a 6.8b 6.0 7.1b 7.2 6.9 7.6 7.1 a 7.Oa 7.4a Si2nif. * ns ns ns *, ns, and * * = P <0.05, P>0.05, and P <0.01 respectively. Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Turfgrass visual quality ratings based on a 1 -10 scale with 10 =dark green turf, 1= dead/brown turf, and 6= minimally acceptable turf. Table 66. Effect of irrigation on bahiagrass visual quality for Established Turf N Rate Study at Site 2. Irrigation 10/19 11/20 12/24 1/18 2/19 3/18 4/8 0.5" 3X/wk 7.0 6.9 7.0 7.2 6.5 6.6 _ 6.7 0.1" Daily 7.1 6.9 7.0 7.1 6.6 6.8 6.8 Significance ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns = P >0.05 Turfgrass visual quality ratings based on a I -10 scale with 10 =dark green turf, 1= dead/brown turf, and 6= minimally acceptable turf. 86 Table 67. Effects of Irrigation regime and Nitrogen fertilization on quality of Bahiagrass Factor 04/18 05105 05/28 06/20 07/02 Irrigation ----------- - - - --- Quality (1-10)------------- - - - - -- Regime 0.1" Daily 6.7 7.3a 7.2 6.9 7.1 0.5" 3X/wk 6.9 6.8b 7.2 6.6 6.8 Sig. ns * ns ns ns N Rate (lb 1000 "' yf'). 1 6.6 6.6a 6.3c 6.8 6.9 2 6.7 7.Oab 7.3b 6.6 6.9 4 6.8 7.3a 7.3b 6.9 6.9 6 7.1 7.4a 7.9a 6.8 7.3 Sig. ns * * * ns ns Irr. X N Interaction Sia. ns ns ns ns ns and ns refer to P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P > 0.05, respectively Table 68. Effects of Irrigation regime and Nitrogen fertilization on color of Bahiagrass Factor 04/18_ 05/05 05/28 06/20 07102 Irrigation ---------- - - - - -- -Color (1-10)------------- - - - - -- Regime 0.1" Daily 6.9 7.7a 6.9 7.Oa 7.3 0.5" 3X/wk 6.8 7.Ob 8.8 6.6b 7.1 Sig. ns ** ns * ns N Rate (lb 1000-' yf'). 1 6.6b 6.8c 6.Ob 6.8 6.7b 2 6.9ab 7.1 be 6.9a 6.7 7.2a 4 6.9ab 7.6ab 7.Oa 6.9 7.5a 6 7.3a 7.9a 7.6a 6.8 7.4a Sig. * ** ** ns ** Irr. X N Interaction Sia. ns ns ns ns ns *, * *, and ns refer to P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P > 0.05, respectively. 87 Table 69. Effects of Irrigation regime and Nitrogen fertilization on clipping yield of Bahiagrass Factor 04/15 05105 05/29 06/09 07/03 Irrigation------------ 2 ------ ------ g /m 2 ------------------- 22.Oa - - - - -- Regime 109.1bc 4 14.6a 34.6a 0.1" Daily 9.2 24.8 27.1b 55.5 120.5 0.5" 3X/wk 9.0 28.9 55.3a 60.1 133.8 Sig. ns ns ** ns ns N Rate (lb 1000 -1 yf I). Sig. ns ns ns 1 4.6c 14.6b 25.6 36.5b 95.7c 2 6.Obc 22.Oa 31.6 45.5b 109.1bc 4 14.6a 34.6a 56.8 74.1 b 137.9ab 6 11.1ab 37.3a 509 75.4a 165.8a Sig. ** ** ns ** ** Irr. X N Interaction Sig. ns ns ns ns� ns� * *, and ns refer to P < 0.01, and P > 0.05, respectively N SOURCE AND TIMING - FERTH.IZER BLACKOUT STUDY MATERIALS AND METHODS The experiment was initiated June 3, 2009 at the University of Florida Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center. Granular N sources (Table 70) were applied once to 6 replications of mature St. Augustinegrass at 2.Olbs.N 1000 ft.-2 and watered in with 0.12 inch irrigation immediately following application. The experimental area had not received any fertilization for a period of 4 months and plots were randomized based on turfgrass quality, color and density. A single lysimeter was installed into each 2m x 4m plot. Lysimeters were constructed of heavy grade plastic with a leachate outflow pipe located on the bottom. PVC pipes attached to each lysimeter were connected to gravity flow collection points adjacent to the plots. Turfgrass quality, color and density visual ratings (scale of 1 -9 with 9 =dark green, dense turf, 1= dead/brown turf, and 6= minimally acceptable turf) were taken throughout the experimental period. Turfgrass clipping samples were taken at a 3.0 inch height of cut approximately every 2 weeks or more when necessary. Tissue was oven dried at 60 °C for a minimum of 48 hours before weighing. Percolate water samples were collected weekly or more frequently following a rain event exceeding 0.25 inch. Samples were acid preserved and shipped to the OF Analytical Research Lab in Gainesville for NO3 -N analysis. All data were subjected to statistical analysis and significant means were identified. . .; Table 70. N sources and manufacturers. Code Description %N Manufacturer URE granular urea 46 PCS Sales, Inc. Northbrook, IL UXCU 70:30 urea:xcu 45 BS sewage sludge bio -solid 5 Milor ante, Milwaukee, WI PCU i)olvmer coated urea 41 Pursell Inc., Sylacauga, AL XCU polymer coated urea 143 Agrium. Advanced Technologies, AL RESULTS Turfgrass Quality, Color and Clipping Growth Turfgrass quality was significantly affected by fertilizer treatment on most observation dates and the readily soluble N treatments generally had the quickest response with some slow and controlled release N forms providing better turfgrass quality over timeframe within the blackout period and then after that period (Tables 2a -2b). In the no -N check, turfgrass quality dipped below the 6.0 minimally acceptable rating on 6/25 and was consistently the lowest rated treatment (Tables 2a -2b). Turfgrass color ratings had similar treatment responses (Tables 3a -3b). Turfgrass clipping growth responded to the application of the various forms of N as anticipated by the availability of N from the N sources (Tables 4a4b). The controlled release source PCU had the most clippings at the end of the reporting period while having the least early on (Tables 4a -4b). N Leaching and Climatological Data The trial was conducted during the rainy season months encompassing blackout period months. Thus, nearly 100 cm of rain and irrigation impacted the site during the trial months and June and July each had approximately 25 cm of rain (Figure 18). Nitrate -N leaching was significantly - affected by N treatment with the urea treatment having the most cumulative leaching followed by the 70:30 soluble /slow combination treatment and other treatments (Table 74a -e, Figure 19). The 3 slow or controlled release N products had Nitrate -N leaching totals that were statistically —equal to the no -N check, were lower than the urea treatment, and statistically -equal to the 70:30 combination treatment (Tables 74a -e). Most of the leaching occurred during the first month after application (Table 74a). Thereafter, there were no significant differences in leaching. In conclusion, while the application of N at a high rate to compensate for black out restrictions improved visual ratings and growth, there was increased N leaching from turf receiving readily - available N. Using complete slow or controlled- release N reduced N leaching to statistically -equal amounts achieved the no- N check and improved turfgrass visual ratings and growth at the end of the study. ., Table 71 a. N Timing: Turfarass auality ratings. TRT 5/18/09 6/15 6/22 6/25 7/2 7/10 7/20 8/6 URE 6.8 7.8a 7.9a 8.2bc 7.3b 7.0 7.2a 6.6b UXCU 6.8 7.8a 7.9a 8.6ab 8.1a 6.7 7.Oa 6.8ab BS 6.7 6.9bc 7.2b 7.8c 7.2b 7.3 7.3a 6.7b PCU 6.7 6.5c 5.8c 5.7d 6.1c 6.8 7.3a 7.2a XCU 6.5 7.2b 8.1a 9.Oa 8.4a 6.9 7.4a 6.8ab CHK 6.7 6.5c 6.Oc 5.8d 5.7c 6.3 5.8b 5.4c Signif ns ** ** ** ** ns ns and * * = P >0.05 and P <0.01 Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Turfgrass quality ratings based on a 1 -9 scale with 9 =dark green turf, 1= dead/brown turf, and 6= minimally acceptable turf. Table 71b. N Timing: Turfgrass quality ratings. TRT 8/21/09 9/3 9/18 10/2 URE 6.4b 6.5ab 6.8b 6.7b UXCU 6.5b 6.2b 6.4b 6.4b BS 6.8b 6.7ab 7.2ab 6.8ab PCU 7.4a 7.Oa 7.7a 7.5a XCU 6.8b 6.6ab 6.7b 6.5b CHK 5.6c 5.4c 5.5c 5.3c Sianif. ** _ ** ** ** ** = P <0.01 Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Turfgrass quality ratings based on a 1 -9 scale with 9 =dark green turf, 1= dead/brown turf, and 6--minimally acceptable turf. 2009 SUMMER BLACKOUT TEST: QUALITY URE g _ UXCU - -- .. x 5 BS PCU 4 - - XCU 3 - - - -- -- �-CHK 2 1 0 1 8-May 15-Jun 22-Jun 25-1un 2-Jul 10-Jul 20-Jul 6 -Aug 21 -Aug 3 -Sep 18-Sep 2-Oct Figure 15. N Timing Blackout Test: Overall visual quality from 18 May -2 Oct. 2009. .1 Table 72a. N Timing: Turfuass color ratings. TRT 5/18/09 6/15 6/22 6/25 7/2 7/10 7/20 8/6 URE 6.4 8.1a 8.3a 8.2b 7.7b 7.2 7.3a 6.7b UXCU 6.6 8.Oa 8.3a 8.4ab 8.5a 6.8 7.2a 7.1ab BS 6.3 7.3b 7.4b 7.4c 7.4b 7.7 7.4a 7.Oab PCU 6.3 6.8bc 6.3c 5.6d 6.3c 7.1 7.5a 7.4a XCU 6.3 7.2b 8.6a 9.Oa 8.6a 7.3 7.7a 7.3a CHK 6.5 6.5c 6.1c 5.5d 5.8c 6.3 6.Ob 5.6c Si if. ns ** ** ** ** ns ** ** ns and * * = P >0.05 and P <0.01 Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Turfgrass color ratings based on a 1 -9 scale with 9 =dark green turf, 1= dead/brown turf, and 6= minimally acceptable turf. Table 72b. N Timing: Turfgrass color ratings. TRT 8/21/09 9/3 9/18 10/2 URE 6.7b 6.8b 6.8b 6.2b UXCU 6.9b 6.6b 6.6b 5.9b BS 6.9b 6.8b 7.1ab 6.3b PCU 7.4a 7.5a 7.5a 7.2a XCU 7.Ob 6.8b 6.9ab 6.2b CHK 6.1c 5.8c 5.8c 5.3c ** and * = P <0.01 and P <0.05 Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Turfgrass color ratings based on a 1 -9 scale with 9 =dark green turf, 1= dead/brown turf, and 6= minimally acceptable turf. 2009 SUMMER BLACKOUT TEST: COLOR 10 - 9 8 ti 7 w x - -mac t URE _ UXCU 5 - BS -G -- PCU 4 - -- - - - - -- -- -�-XCU 3 -� - CHK 2 -- - - -- 1 - -- 0 .18 -May 15-Jun 22 -Jun 25-Jun 2 -Jul 10-Jul 20-Jul 6 -Aug 21 -Aug 3 -Sep 18-Sep 2 -Oct Figure 16. N Timing Blackout Test: Overall visual color from 18 May -2 Oct. 2009. 91 2009 SUMMER BLACKOUT TEST: CLIPPING YIELDS g /m2 80 70 7/2 7/10 7/20 so 15.6a 27.8a 46.2ab 36.8a� -e -URE so 14.1a uxcu 42.4b 33.1a 33.7b ao 8.Ob as 30 30.Oa - PCU PCU 7.8b -) XCU 20 13.9b -+- CHK XCU 10.5ab 21.9a 10 41.1a 48.7a CHK 7.8b 3.9b 0 8.2b 9.1d 15-Jun 22 -Jun 2-Jul 10-Jul 20-Jul 6 -Aug 21 -Aug 3 -Sep 18-Sep 2-Oct Figure 17. N Timing Blackout Test: Clipping tissue growth from 15 June -Oct. 2, 2009. Table 73a. N Timing: Turfgrass clinuina vields. TRT 6/15/09 6/22 7/2 7/10 7/20 URE 15.6a 27.8a 46.2ab 36.8a� 38.5b UXCU 14.1a 23.2a 42.4b 33.1a 33.7b BS 8.Ob 11.9b 27.6c 30.Oa 34.2b PCU 7.8b 5.8b 10.1d 13.9b 21.4c XCU 10.5ab 21.9a 55.3a 41.1a 48.7a CHK 7.8b 3.9b 8.1d 8.2b 9.1d Signif. * ** ** ** ** * and ** = P <0.05 and P <0.01 Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. -.Table 73b. N Timing: Turfgrass clipping yields. TRT 8/6/09 8/21 9/3 9/18 10/2 URE 37.5b 36.8ab 13.8b 48.8b 34.6b UXCU 31.5b 34.8b 12.1 b 43.5b 32.2b BS 35.2b 37.3ab 15.8b 48.8b 35.1b PCU 32.1b 48.5ab 27.9a 70.1a 53.6a XCU 51.4a 50.7a 18.5b 52.1b 35.1b CHK 8.8c 9.4c 3.9c 24.1c 14.2c Sianif. * * and ns = P <0.01 and P >0.05 Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. 92 Figure 18. N Timing Blackout Test: Rainfall and irrigation June - October 2009. Table 74a. N Timing: NO3 -N leached (mg m-2 TRT 6/3/09 6/8 6/10 6/15 6/17 6/24 6/29 URE 0 9.3 6.5 1107.3a 799.5a 985.6a 24.7 UXCU 0 3.1 2.8 565.1ab 127.Ob 522.4ab 38.7 BS 0 13.2 8.2 55.6b 28.4b 50.9b 24.5 PCU 0 5.1 5.3 22.7b 3.8b 34.4b 7.1 XCU 0 4.4 1.5 34.4b 18.6b 189.7b 32.9 CHK 0 0.8 0.3 4.5b O.Ob 9.1b 0.8 _ Signif ns ns ns ** ** ** ns ns and * * = P >0.05 and P <0.01 Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Table 74b. N Timing: NO3 -N leached (mg m-2 TRT 7/1/09 7/3 7/6 7/15 7/20 7/27 URE 14.5 2.3 0.10 9.8 9.6 6.7 UXCU 15.0 6.2 1.2 16.8 17.5 13.7 BS 20.6 9.4 1.5 28.3 23.0 19.9 PCU 16.3 9.3 0.05 12.5 27.1 20.8 XCU 25.4 10.5 0.4 9.2 42.4 19.0 CHK 0.4 0.0 0.04 0.0 0.7 3.3 Signif ns ns ns ns ns ns ns = P>0.05 93 Table 74c. N Timing: NO3 -N leached (mg M-2) TRT 8/6/09 8/12 8/17 8/24 8/31 URE 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 UXCU 9.5 2.5 41.1 13.4 38.8 BS 16.0 10.8 33.2 10.4 12.9 PCU 24.3 3.6 38.0 7.6 17.5 XCU 19.1 0.0 30.3 2.2 18.1 CHK 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 Signif ns_� ns ns ns ns ns = P>0.05 Table 74d. N Timing: NO3 -N leached (mE m2) TRT 9/4/09 9/7 9/11 9/14 9/21 URE 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 UXCU 1.64 2.0 31.2 31.5 14.3 BS 0.0 2.0 12.7 10.3 7.1 PCU 0.7 0.6 13.8 18.2 7.4 XCU 0.6 2.2 23.3 28.1 7.2 CHK 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 Signif ns ns ns ns ns� ns = P >0.05 Table 74e. N Timing: NO3 -N leached (mg M-2 TRT 9/28/09 10/6/09 TOTAL (6/8/09- 10/6/09) URE 0.0 0.0 3111.2a UXCU 25.0 39.6 1596.4b BS 9.9 9.5 408.7bc PCU 8.0 10.7 307.4bc XCU 15.1 24.1 541.4bc CHK 0.0 0.0 20.5c Signif ns ns ** ns and ** = P >0.05 and P <0.01 Means with the same letter within a column are not significantly different according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. r'' 2009 SUMMER BLACKOUT TEST: NITRATE LEACHING (mg /m2) 1200 - - - -- —__ — — ---- —... -- - - - -- �� —. - - -- I 1000 soo i so0 ' aoo i 200 o - -� 0& Figure 19. N Timing Blackout Test: Nitrate Leaching from 8 June — October 6, 2009. 95 Pinellas County Compliant Product List Current as of June 27th, 2013 Note -This is not an exhaustive list of products. It will be updated as more products are brought to our attention. Brand Name Product Name Analysis Oct 1 - May 31 June 1- Sept 30 NOTES Alaska All Purpose Fish Fertilizer 2 -2 -2 Compliant Liquid application Alaska Fish Fertilizer 5 -1 -1 Compliant Non-compliant Liquid application Alaska MorBloom 0 -10 -10 Compliant Von-compliant Alaska Natural Blooms Fish Fertilizer 2 -5 -3 Compliant Jon -com liana Liquid application Alaska Pure Kelp Plant Food 0.13 -0 -0.60 Compliant Compliant For hydroponic ardenin only *Any Brand Name* Alfalfa Meal X -X -X Compliant don -Cam lianc *Any Brand Name* Aluminum Sulfate 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P *Any Brand Name* Bat Guano X -X -X Compliant Von-Compliant *Any Brand Name* Blood Meal X -0 -0 Compliant von-Compliant *Any Brand Name* Bone Meal X -X -X Compliant Von-Compliant —..Any Brand Name* Chelated Iron 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P --*Any Brand Name* Compost X -X -X Compliant Compliant Exempt, compost product *Any Brand Name* Composted Manures X -X -X Compliant Com liani Exempt, compost product *Any Brand Name* Copperas 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P *Any Brand Name* Corn Gluten Lawn Food 9 -1 -0 Compliant 'Jon-Compliant *Any Brand Name* Cotton Burr Compost 0.7- .12 -.56 Compliant Compliant Exempt, com ost product *Any Brand Name* Cotton Seed Meal X -X -X Compliant 'don -Com li.. *Any Brand Name* Dried Blood X -0 -0 Compliant don-Compliant *Any Brand Name* Earthworm Castings X -X -X Compliant 'Compliant Exempt, compost product --*Any Brand Name* Fish Emulsion X -X -X Compliant Von-Compliant --*Any Brand Name* Fish Meal X -X -X Compliant 4on -Compliant *Any Brand Name* Green Sand 0 -0 -3 Compliant Compliant No N or P *Any Brand Name* Gypsum 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P --*Any Brand Name* Humate/ Iron Humate 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P *Any Brand Name* Humus 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P *Any Brand Name* Iron sulfate 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P ..-*Any Brand Name* Kelp Liquid 1 -0 -2 Compliant ion-Compliant *Any Brand Name* Kelp Meal 1 -0 -2 Compliant Jon -Com lis. *Any Brand Name* Lime /Dolomite Hydrated Lime, Garden Lime 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P *Any Brand Name* Liquid Chelated Iron 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P *Any Brand Name* Magnesium sul hate /e sour salt 0 -0 -0 Com liant Compliant No N or P *Any Brand Name* Manganese 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P *Any Brand Name* Muriated of Potash 0 -0 -X Compliant Compliant No N or P *Any Brand Name* Mushroom Compost X -X -X Compliant Compliant Exempt, compost product *Any Brand Name* Peatmoss 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P *Any Brand Name* Potash 0 -0 -X Compliant Compliant No N or P *Any Brand Name* Potting soil X -X -X Compliant Com liant Exempt, soil *Any Brand Name* Rooting Hormone with No Nitrogen or Phosphorous 0 -0 -0 Com liant Compliant No N or P *Any Brand Name* Seaweed (Nitrogen and Phosphorous free formulas 0 -0 -X Compliant Compliant. No N or P *Any Brand Name* Seed mixes X -X -X Compliant Compliant Exempt, seed mix *Any Brand Name* Sulfur 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P *Any Brand Name* Top Soil 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant Exempt, soil *Any Brand Name* Triple Super Phosphate / Super Phosphate 0 -X -0 Compliant Jon-Compliant Page 1 of 8 Pinellas County Compliant Product List Current as of June 27th, 2013 Note -This is not an exhaustive list cif rroducts. It Will he I a rrnt 3 n _ . Brand Name Product Name Analysis Oct 1 - May 31 June 1- Sept 30 NOTES *Any Brand Name* Zinc Sulfate 0 -0 -0 No N or P Anderson Kal -Tec Contec DG 0 -0 -13 Compliant Compliant No N or P Bayer All -in -1 Rose /Flower 32oz Conc 9 -14 -9 Com liana won -cc Bayer Tree & Shrub Granules 2 -1 -1 Cam liana Non -co Bayer Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed 2 -1 -1 Compliant Non -c:i Better -Gro Controlled release Brorneliad, Orchid, and House -Plant Food 11 -11 -18 Compliant Compliant Containers only Better -Gro Orchid Better -Bloom 11 -35 -15 Compliant Compliant For soiless plants, containers only Better -Gro Orchid Bloom Booster 11 -35 -15 Compliant Compliant For soiless plants, containers only Better -Gro Orchid Plus Fertilizer 20 -14 -13 Compliant Compliant For soiless lants containers only BGI Grow & Gain Liquid Fertilizer 10 -10 -5 Compliant Non -corn lian' Liquid application Black Kow Pelletized Chicken Manure 5 -3 -2 Compliant Non -Com liana Not compost, dehydrated and pasturized Bonide Root Stimulator 4 -10 -3 Compliant Non -Com liaw Liquid application Bradfield Organics Luscious Lawn & Garden 3 -1 -5 Compliant Non -corn Iianl Bradfield Organics Luscious Lawn Corn Gluten 9 -0 -0 Compliant Non -com plia na Bradfield Organics Pasture & Farm 4 -1 -4 Compliant Non - compliant Bradfield Organics Tasty Tomato 3 -3 -3 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables Bradfield Organics Veggie 2 -3 -6 Compliant Compliant Excluslvelv fruits or vegetables Brandt Converge 18 -3 -6 Com liana Non -com lianr Brandt Noculate 5 -2 -4 Compliant Non -com liana. Brandt Noculate 8 -2 -8 Compliant Non-compliant Brandt Platinum 0 -0 -18 Compliant Compliant No N or P Custom Biologicals BiotaMax 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Dr. Iron 22% Iron / 55% Sulphur 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Dynamite All Purpose Indoor /Outdoor 18 -6 -8 Compliant Non -com liana. Dynamite Flowers & Vegetables 13 -13 -13 Compliant Non-compliant Dynamite Mater Ma is 8 -5 -5 Compliant Compliant Exclusive ly fruits or vegetables Dynamite Mater Magic Organic 5 -5 -9 Compliant Compliant Exclusiveiv fruits or vegetables Earth Box Replant Kit 7 -7 -7 Compliant Compliant For Containers Only Earth Box Replant Kit 8 -3 -5 Compliant Compliant For Containers Only Es oma All Natural Lawn Food 7 -2 -2 Compliant. Non-compliant Es oma Bio -tone starter 4 -3 -3 Compliant Non-compliant Es oma Bio -tone starter plus 4 -3 -3 Compliant Non-compliant Es oma Bulb -tone 3 -5 -3 Compliant Non - compliant Es oma Citrus -tone 5 -2 -6 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables Es oma Flower -tone 3 -4 -5 Compliant Non -com lians. Es oma Garden -tone 3 -4 -4 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables Es oma Granular Hen Manure 4 -2 -2 Compliant Non-Compliant Not compost, dehydrated and pasturized Es oma Gro -tone 2 -2 -2 Compliant :Von -Com liana Es oma Iron -tone 2 -1 -3 Compliant 'Von- Comnhp.n` Es oma Holly-tone 4 -3 -4 Compliant Non -co Es oma Organic Lawn Food - Spring Lawn Booster 9 -0 -0 Com liani Non -come iia Es oma Or anic Lawn Food -All Season Lawn Food 9 -0 -0 Compliant Non -com liana Es oma lOrganic Lawn Food - Summer Revitalizer 8-0 -0 Compliant Non-comp tliant Page 2 of 8 Pinellas County Compliant Product List Current as of June 27th, 2013 Note -This is not an exhaustive list of products. It will be updated as more products are hrought to our =ottention. Brand Name Product Name Analysis Oct 1 - Ma 31 June 1- Se t 30 NOTES Es oma Organic Lawn Food - Fall Wintenzer 8 -0 -5 compliant Nor; -con Tian Es oma Palm -tone 4 -1 -5 Compliant Non-compliant Es oma Plant -tone 5 -3 -3 Compliant Non-compliant Es oma Rose -tone 4 -3 -2 Compliant Non - compliant Es oma Soil Perfector 0 -0 -0 Compliant Cam liant Not a fertilizer Es oma Tomato -tone 3 -4 -6 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables Es oma Tree -tone 6 -3 -2 Compliant Non -com liant Es oma Weed Preventer Plus 9 -0 -0 Compliant Non-compliant Expert Gardener Liquid Plant Food 15 -30 -15 Compliant \Ir,r, . , i- ::! application Fertilome Acid Loving Water Soluble Plant Food 31 -11 -11 Compliant .—Liquid Non -com liarn Fertilome Bloominq and Rooting Soluble Plant Food 9 -58 -8 Compliant Non-compliant Fertilome Garden Cote 6 12 -12 -12 Compliant Fertilome Gardener's Special 11 -15 -11 Compliant ant Fertilome Geranium Hanging Basket and Pansy Plant Food 20 -20 -20 Compliant ant Liquid application Fertilome Root Stimulator and Plant Starter Solution 4 -10 -3 Compliant i.:ant Fertilome Soil Acidifier Plus Iron 0 -0 -0 Compliant 'om liant No N or P Fertilome Start-N -Grow Premium Plant Food 19 -6 -12 Compliant co.m,niiant Fertrell No Phos 4 -0 -4 Compliant Florida's Finest 17 -4 -11 17 -4 -11 Compliant Nun -cc: Florida's Finest Azalea Camellia Gardina Special 7 -0 -8 Compliant Non -co: Florida's Finest Citrus Special 4 -0 -8 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables Florida's Finest Fall Conditioner 2 -0 -10 Compliant Non-compliant Florida's Finest Fruit and Vegetable Fertilizer 6 -6 -6 Compliant Compliant Exclusiveiv fruits or vegetables Florida's Finest Palm & Ixora Special 7 -0 -7 Compliant Non-compliant Florida's Finest Palm & Ornimental Special 8 -0 -12 Compliant Non-compliant Florida's Finest St. Su ustine Special 16 -0 -8 Compliant Non -com pant Florida's Finest Tree Shrub & Palm 0 -0 -16 Compliant Compliant Florida's Finest Tree & Shrub Special 8 -0 -8 Compliant Non-compliant Florikan Aerification T90 0 -0-49 Compliant Compliant No N or P Florikan Florikote 0 -0 -20 Compliant_ Com liant No N or P Florikan Florikote 0 -0-48 Compliant Compliant No N or P Florikan Florikote 0 -0 -58 Compliant Compliant No N or P Florikan Iron Chelate 0 -0 -0 +5 Iron 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Florikan Iron Sulfate 0- 0 -0 +28 Iron 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Florikan Ma -Sulf T180 0 -0 -0 Compliant_ Compliant No N or P Florikan Ma -Sulf T270 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Florikan Meg-Iron V 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Florikan MG -EMJEO Magnesium Sulfate 0 -0 -0 Com liant Compliant No N or P Florikan Summer Safe 0 -0 -16 Compliant Compliant No N or P Florikan SunTrace Fe/Mg 0 -0 -0 Compliant Com liant No N or P Florikan SunTrace Total 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Greenli ht Acidifier and Liquid Iron 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Green World Path I Eco Plus Soil Amendment 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Page 3 of 8 Pinellas County Compliant Product List Current as of June 27th, 2013 Note -This is not an exhaustive list of products. It will be updated as more products are brought to our attention. Brand Name Product Name Anal sis Oct 1 - Ma 31 June 1- Se t 30 NOTES Green World Path MineralPlex 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Green World Path Naturally Green 0 -0 -3 Compliant Compliant No N or P Green World Path Total 1 -1 -2 fertilizer 1 -1 -2 Compliant Non-compliant 100% SRN Greenli ht Super Bloom 12 -55 -6 Compliant Non-compliant Liquid application Grow More Cactus Juice 1 -7 -6 Corn liant Non-compliant Liquid application Growers Fertilizer 16 -2 -8 16 -2 -8 Compliant Non-compliant Growers Fertilizer 18 -2 -18 18 -2 -18 Compliant Non-compliant Growers Fertilizer 20 -0 -10 20 -0 -10 Compliant Non -com lianl Growth Products BioNutrients Soluble 8 -0 -9 Compliant Non-compliant Growth Products Essential Plus 1 -0 -1 Compliant Non-compliant Growth Products Iron Max Ac 15 -0 -0 Compliant Non-compliant Growth Products Nitro -30 30 -0 -0 Compliant Non-compliant Harrells 19 -0 -19 19 -0 -19 Compliant Non-compliant Custom blends for turf professionals -not available retail Harrells 26 -0 -13 26 -0 -13 Compliant Non-compliant Custom blends for turf professlonals -not available retail Harrells 30 -0 -8 30 -0 -8 Compliant Non-compliant Custom blends for turf professlonals -not available retall Helena 0 -0 -22 0 -0 -22 Compliant Compliant No N or P Helena 0 -0 -61 0 -0 -61 Compliant Compliant No N or P Helena 24 -0 -11 24 -0 -11 Compliant Non -com lia -: Hi -Yeild Growers Special 12 -6 -6 Compliant Non-compliant HI Yield Horticul Hydrated Lime N/A Compliant Compliant No N or P Hi Yield Magnesium Sulphate 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Holland Bulb Booster 9 -9 -6 Compliant Non -co, pliarn. Howard 0 -0 -10 0 -0 -10 Compliant Compliant Custom blends for turf professionals-can make for retail Howard 0 -0 -18 (liquid) 0 -0 -18 Compliant Com liant Custom blends for turf professionals -can make for retell Howard 15 -0 -15 15 -0 -15 Compliant Non-compliant Howard 16 -0 -8 16 -0 -8 Compliant Non-compliant Howard 20 -0 -10 20 -0 -10 Compliant Non-compliant Howard 20 -0 -6 20 -0 -6 Compliant Non -com liars; H drofarm Su erthrive 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Howard MicroSTART60 7 -2 -2 Compliant Compliant Exempt, compost product Ironite Ironite Plus Liquid Lawn and Garden Spray 6 -2 -1 Compliant Non-compliant Liquid application Jobe's Knockout Rose Food 4 -3 -3 Compliant Non-compliant Jobe's Organics All Purpose 4 -4 -4 Compliant Non-compliant Jobe's Organics Spikes for All Purpose Use 4 -4 -4 Compliant Non-compliant Jobe's Organics Spikes for Vegetables 2 -7 -4 Compliant Compliant Exclusivelv fruits or vegetables Jobe's Organics Vegetable and Tomato 2 -7 -4 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables Jobe's Spikes for Beautiful Flowering Plants 10 -10-4 Compliant Non -con, liens Jobe's Spikes House Plant 13 -4 -5 Complaint Complaint Indoor plants one Jobe's Spikes Potted Plants & Haning Baskets 8 -9 -12 Compliant N,rs com )Bali Kla soft Pelletized Gypsum 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Lad Bug Organics All American Turkey Compost Compliant Compliant Exempt, compost product Lady Bug Organics Farmst le Compost Com liant Compliant Exempt, compost product Lady Bug Or anics %!1it_te_ri_nq Greensand Compliant Compliant No N or P Page 4 of 8 Pinellas County Compliant Product List Current as of June 27th, 2013 Note -This is not an exhaustive list of products. It will be updated as more Products are hrought to otir 1Ytentior Brand Name Product Name Analysis Oct 1 - May 31 June 1- Sept 30 NOTES Lady Bug Organics Revitalizer Compost (corn plian% Ga.: � i -,,i.. ;i o Exempt, compost product Lesco 0 -0 -24 0 -0 -24 Cam liani: Com liana No N or P Lesco 0 -0 -28 0 -0 -28 Compliant Compliant No N or P Lesco 10 -0 -20 10 -0 -20 Com liana: ",Ion -com hi :,r Lesco 13 -0 -13 13 -0 -13 Compliant - -com :! Lesco 15 -0 -15 15 -0 -15 Com liana vcn -com iiarr. Lesco 16 -0 -8 16 -0 -8 Compliant Non - corn, -';,l, Lesco 19 -0 -19 19 -0 -19 Compliant Non -cc.. Lesco 19 -0 -8 19 -0 -8 Compliant Non -cone oali. Lesco 20 -0 -10 20 -0 -10 Compliant Lesco 20- 0- 10 +Atrazine 20 -0 -10 Compliant Lesco 20 -2 -10 20 -2 -10 Compliant VUiI -cu T ' Lesco 21- 0- 10 +Talstar 21 -0 -10 Com liana Non -com k, Lesco 24 -0 -11 24 -0 -11 Compliant Non -com pl iana Lesco 24 -0 -8 24 -0 -8 Compliant Non -cam Lesco 30 -0 -10 30 -0 -10 Compliant Non -com piia, Lesco 8 -0 -10 8 -0 -10 Compliant Non -com lian Light Green Super Bloom 12 -55 -6 Complaint Non -com liana Liquid application UlIv Miller Vitamin B1 Plant Starter 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Lilly Miller Vita -Start 3 -8 -4 Compliant Non -com liars' Liquid application Lutz Man anese Spike 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Lutz Magnesium Spike 0 -0 -0 Com liana Compliant No Nor P Lutz Maintenance Spike for Maintaining Healthy Palms 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed 0 -0 -1 Compliant Compliant No N or P Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed Plus Iron 0 -0 -1 Compliant Compliant No N or P Milor anite Milor anite 6 -2 -0 Com karat Non -com iia Milor anite Milor anite 5 -2 -0 Compliant Non-comp Miracle Gro All Purpose 24 -8 -16 Compliant Non-comp; Miracle Gro All Purpose Liquid Plant Food 12 -4 -8 Compliant r ," Liquid application Miracle Gro Azaleas Rhododendrons, Camellias, Acid Loving Plant Food 30 -10 -10 Compliant Liquid application Miracle Gro Bloom Booster 15 -30 -15 Com iiant Uom nor , Li uid.application Miracle Gro House )ant Liquid 8 -7 -6 Compliant Com liant Indoor plants only Miracle Gro Indoor Plant Food Spikes 6 -12 -6 Com liani Com liaW Indoor plants only Miracle Gro Lawn Food 36 -6 -6 Compliar: Nor- -Com ; Liquid application Miracle Gro Lawn Food Zero Phos 36 -0 -6 Compliant -1 Miracle Gro Li uaFeed Advance I- pack 12 -4 -8 Compliant Liquid applic ation Miracle Gro Li uaFeed Bloom Booster 2 pack 12 -9 -6 Com liana. Aun -com Tian Liquid application Miracle Gro Li uaFeed Refill Pack 12 -4 -8 Compliant Non -com liars: Liquid agplication Miracle Gro Li uaFeed Tomato, Fruits, & Vegetables 9 -4 -9 Compliant Compliant Exclusivelv fruits or vegetables Miracle Gro Liquid African Violet Plant Food 7 -7 -7 Com liana Compliant Liquid application, indoor plants only Miracle Gro Next Generation Garden Feeder 24 -8 -16 Com liana Non-compliani Liquid application Miracle Gro Orchid Plant Food - Mist 0.02 -0.02 -0.02 Complaint Compliant Li uid application, indoor plants onl Miracle Gro Organic Choice 11 -2 -2 Compliant I Non -com liar; Page 5 of 8 Pinellas County Compliant Product List Current as of June 27th, 2013 Note -This is not an exhaustive list of products. It will be updated as more products are brourht to our .-+ttention Brand Name Product Name Analysis Oct 1 - Ma 31 June 1- Sept 30 NOTES Miracle Gro Organic Choice Blood Meal 12 -0 -0 Compliant Miracle Gro Organic Choice Bone Meal 6 -9 -0 Compliant Miracle Gro Organic Choice Flowers & Vegetables 7 -1 -2 Compliant Non- :.cnr,nii „n; Miracle Gro Pour and Feed Plant Food 0.2- 0.2 -0.2 Compliant Compliant For potted plants only Miracle Gro Quick Start 4 -12 -4 Compliant wo - ,;,.;c r ii',n; Miracle Gro Rose Food 18 -24 -16 Compliant Non-compliant Miracle Gro Rose Plant Food 18 -24 -16 Compliant Non-Compliant Liquid application Miracle Gro Shake & Feed All Purpose 10 -10 -10 Compliant Non-compliant Miracle Gro Shake & Feed Bloom 10 -16 -10 Compliant Non-compliant Miracle Gro Shake & Feed Citrus Avocado & Mango 13 -7 -13 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables Miracle Gro Shake & Feed Palm Food 8 -8 -8 Compliant Non-compliant Miracle Gro Shake & Feed Rose Food 9 -18 -9 Compliant Non-compliant Miracle Gro Shake N Feed Plus Weed Preventer 10 -10 -10 Compliant Non-compliant Miracle Gro Shake'n Feed Tomato Fruits & Vegetables 9 -4 -12 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables Miracle Gro Singles 24 -8 -16 Compliant Ion-compliant Liquid application Miracle Gro Tomato Food 18 -18 -21 Compliant Compliant Liquid application, exclusively fruits or vegetables Natural Guard Evergreen and Holly Food 5 -4 -5 Compliant Non-compliant Natural Guard Garden and Landscape Plant Food with Humates 5 -1 -5 Compliant Non-compliant Natural Guard Lawn Food 8 -0 -4 Compliant Non-compliant Natural Guard Organic Plant Food 6 -2 -4 Compliant Non-compliant Natural Guard Plant Food 6 -2 -4 Compliant Non- cumoiiant Natural Guard Tomato and Vegetable 4 -4 -5 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables NitroGreen Lawn Fertilizer 16 -0 -8 Compliant :on -com pliani Ocean -Grown OceanSolution T &O N -P Free 0 -0 -2 Compliant Compliant No N or P Osmocote Flower & Vegetable 14 -14 -14 Compliant Non-compliant Osmocote Outdoor & Indoor Plant Food 19 -6 -12 Compliant Non-compliant Osmocote Plus Plant Food 15 -9 -12 Compliant Non-com liana Osmocote Pot Shots 15 -8 -11 Compliant Compliant Container plants only Peggy Green Flower Minerals 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Peggy Green Garden Minerals 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Peggy Green Grass Minerals 0 -0 -12 Compliant Compliant No N or P Penn Magnesium Sulfate 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Pennington Smart 1 Feed All Pur ouse Fertilizer 12 -5 -7 Compliant Non -corn han!. Pennington Smart 1 Feed Bulb and Bloom 10 -20 -10 Compliant Non -com liani Pennington Smart 1 Feed Citrus and Avacado 13 -4 -13 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables Pennington Smart 1 Feed Azalea Camellia and Rodedendron 10 -8 -8 Compliant Nlon -com liana Pennington Smart 1 Feed Rose & Flower Fertilizer 12 -8 -8 Compliant Non -com giant Pennington Smart Feed Tomato 20 -20 -20 Compliant Compliant Liquid application, exclusively fruits or vegetables Pennington Smart Feed All Purpose 24 -8 -16 Complaint [ion -com hani Liquid applic ation Pennington Smart Feed Flower and Bloom 10 -32 -20 Complaint Non- comoiiant Liquid application Preen Lawn Crab rass Preventer 0 -0 -7 Com liana Compliant No N or P Preen I Step Saver Weed Control Plus Fertilizer 26 -2 -8 Compliant Pion - compliant Rite Green IMaqnesium Sulphate N/A Compliant Compliant No N or P Page 6 of 8 Pinellas County Compliant Product List Current as of June 27th, 2013 Note -This is not an exhaustive list of products. It will be updated as more products are brought to our attention. Brand Name Product Name Analysis 00 1 - Ma 31 June 1- Se t 30 NOTES Rite Green Manganese Sulphate N/A Compliant Compliant No N or P Rite Green Vegetable Garden Fertilizer 10 -10 -10 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables Rite Green Palm Fertilizer 4 20 and 40 pound bas 4 -1 -6 Compliant Non-compliant Rite Green All Purpose 8 -6 -6 4 pound bag) 8 -6 -6 Compliant Non-compliant Safer Brand Organics Ox en Plus 1 -2 -1 Compliant Non-compliant Liquid application Safer Brand Organics Ringer Lawn Restore 10 -2 -6 Compliant Non-compliant Scotts Bonus S - "Florida" Weed and Feed Not the "Southern" 28 -0 -14 Compliant Non -rom liant Reformulated to meet 50 %SRN Scotts Liquid Turf Builder 29 -2 -3 Compliant r Liquid application Scotts Natural Lawn Food 11 -2 -2 Compliant �, Scotts Turf Builder - "Florida" Lawn Food Not the "Southern" 28 -0 -14 Compliant Jon .:o ',' ii n Reformulated to meet 50 %SRN Scotts Sea 0 -0 -2 Compliant Compliant No N or P Shultz African Violet Plus 8 -14 -9 Compliant Compliant Liquid house plant only Shultz Cactus Plus 2 -7 -7 Compliant lor, Corr. ;iiar;; Liquid application Shultz Plant Food Plus All Purpose 10 -15 -10 Compliant ,,on ; <„ ; ii , Li uld application Shultz Starter Plus 5 -10 -5 Compliant Liquid application Soil Gourmet Finisher 0 -0 -20 Compliant Compliant No N or P Soil Gourmet Fish Fertilizer 2 -3 -1 Compliant Liquid application Soil Gourmet Foliar Gourmet 18 -0 -2 Compliant Non -co, "Garr, Liquid application Soil Gourmet Main Course 8 -8 -8 Compliant Non- compiiani. Liquid application Soil Gourmet Soil Enhancer 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Soil Gourmet Starter 2 -18 -12 Compliant ion con, ;iia, Liquid application Southern Aq 0 -0 -14 0 -0 -14 Compliant Compliant No N or P Southern Aq 16 -2 -8 16 -2 -8 Compliant don- ;-omnhan! Southern Aq 18 -2 -18 18 -2 -18 Compliant Non- -comniiant Southern Ag 20 -2 -10 20 -2 -10 Compliant don cor; liars Southern Aq Chelated Citrus Nutritional Spray 0 -0 -1 Compliant Compliant No N or P Southern Ag Chelated General Purpose Minor Element Spray 0 -0 -2 Compliant Compliant No N or P Southern Aq Chelated Liquid Iron 0 -0 -3 Compliant Compliant No N or P Southern Ag Chelated Palm Nutritional 0 -0 -4 Compliant Compliant No N or P Southern Ag Essential Minor Elements 0 -0 -5 Compliant Compliant No N or P Southern Ag Stop Blossom -end Rot of Tomatoes 0 -0 -10 Compliant Compliant No N or P S ectracide Immunox 3 -in -1 Insect and Disease Control Plus Fertilizer 0.2- 0.2 -0.2 Compliant r .- .:,,,,;. ?ir>r; Liquid application Spray Green Spray Green Fertilizer 6 -0.5 -2 Compliant r;,i .. Liquid application, commercial applicators only Sta -Green Weed & Feed 20 -0 -0 Compliant Non -com iiani Liquid application Ste -Green Boost Pacs 20 -20 -20 Compliant Non-compliant Liquid application Sunniland All Purpose 6 -6 -6 10 and 33 pound bas 6 -6 -6 Compliant Non -com liar Sunniland Bahia Weed & Feed 20 -0 -6 Compliant Non-compliant Sunniland Citrus & Garden 20 and 40 pound bas 6 -0 -6 Compliant Non -com liani Sunniland Citrus 10 20 and 40 pound bas 6 -4 -6 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables Sunniland Citrus Avocado & Mango 20 and 40 pound bas 64-6 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables Sunniland Liquid Iron 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Sunniland Nitro Green Lawn Fertilizer 331b 16 -0 -8 Compliant Non-co n alianl. Sunniland Palm Fertilizer 6 -1 -8 Compliant felon- compii am Page 7 of 8 Pinellas County Compliant Product List Current as of June 27th, 2013 Note -This is not an exhaustive list of products. It will be updated as more products are hrOt.loht to our .:�ttentior Brand Name Product Name Analysis Oct 1 - Ma 31 June 1- Se t 30 NOTES Sunniland St.Au ustine Weed & Feed 20 -0 -6 Compliant \k) ).,1A Sunniland Summer Green Summer Blackout Fertilizer 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Sunniland Pre -Plant 0.5 -0 -0.5 Compliant Compliant Planting soil amendment Sunniland Super Iron Plus 16.5% Iron 2 %M I% Mn 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Sunniland Sodcaster 0.5 -0 -0.5 Compliant Compliant Planting soil amendment Sunniland Vegetable 10 -10 -10 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables Su erthrive Su erthrive 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Sustane Products 4 -6 -4 4 -6 -4 Compliant Non-compliant Sustane Products 5 -2-4 5 -2-4 Compliant Non-compliant Sustane Products 8 -2-4 8 -2-4 Compliant Non-compliant Sustane Products 7 -2 -20 7 -2 -20 Compliant Non-compliant Sustane Products 10- 2 -10 +Fe 10 -2 -10 Compliant Non-compliant Sustane Products 15 -3 -9 15 -3 -9 Compliant Non-compliant Sustane Products 18- 1 -8 +Fe 18 -1 -8 Compliant Non-compliant Sustane Products 5- 2 -10 +Fe 5 -2 -10 Compliant Non-compliant Sustane Products 5- 2-4 +Fe 5 -2 -4 Compliant Non-compliant Sustane Products All Purpose 5 -2 -4 Compliant Non-compliant Sustane Products Flower & Shrub 3 -4 -2 Compliant Non-compliant Sustane Products Vegetables 4 -6 -4 Compliant Non-compliant Tara Solutions Banmax 0 -0 -7 Compliant Compliant No N or P TurfGro Fertilizer with Insect Control 15 -0 -5 Compliant Non-compliant TurfGro Professional Tree Shrub and Ornamental Fertilizer 8 -0 -10 Compliant Non-compliant TurfGro TurfGro 16 -0 -8 Compliant Non-compliant TurfGro TurfGro 24 -0 -11 Compliant Non-compliant Turl'Gro Weed and Feed St. Augustine 16 -0 -8 Compliant_ Non-compliant Vi oro ACR 10 -8 -8 Compliant Non-compliant VI oro All Purpose Water Soluble Plant Food 24 -8 -16 Compliant Non- compliant Vi oro Azalea Camellia & Rhododendron Plant Food 10 -8 -8 Compliant Non-compliant Vi iron Iron Humate 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Vi iron Ma Iron 0 -0 -0 Compliant Compliant No N or P Vi oro Tomato & Ve etable 12 -10 -5 Compliant Compliant Exclusively fruits or vegetables Vi oro Tree & Shrub Food 16 -4 -8 Compliant Non-compliant Vi oro Ultra All Purpose Plant Food 3 Month 12 -5 -7 Compliant Non-compliant Whitney Farms Natural All Purpose Liquid Plant Food Concentrate 8 -3 -5 Compliant Non-compliant Worm Magic Black Sea Kelp 1 -1 -17 Compliant— Non-compliant Worm Magic Granular Kelp Meal Fertilizer 4- 0.1 -2.3 Com liant Non-compliant Worm Magic H drolized Fish 2 -4 -0.3 Compliant c rn it Worm Magic Hydrolyzed Fish 2 -5 -0 Compliant Non-com liana Worm Magic VermaMax 3- 2.8 -1.8 Compliant Non - compliant Worm Magic VermaPlex 0.48 -0.01 -0.015 Compliant- Page 8 of 8 Figure 17 Streaking on a lawn caused by poor application technique. soils are sands and therefore retain limited quantities of water and nutrients. Individuals with only limited train- ing in soils can discern whether a soil is mostly sand or predominately clay, and whether the soil contains flakes of free calcium carbonate or shell. These properties may significantly affect a turfgrass fertilization management program. Chemical properties such as soil pH, lime requirement, extractable levels of P, K, calcium (Ca), Mg, and selected micronutrients such as Mn, Cu, and Zn can be determined through soil testing. Florida soils are not analyzed for N because it is highly mobile in sandy soils. Since reliable correlations between turfgrass growth and soil test N have not been developed, turfgrass N fertilization is based on the requirements of the individual turfgrass being grown. Additional information on soil testing for turfgrasses can be found later in this chapter or in IFAS Publication SL 181, Soil Testing and Interpretation for Florida Turfgrasses, at.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS317. Fertilizer Sources Matching the fertilizer source and rate with the growth phase of the turfgrass is one of the keys to nutrient man- agement. For example, you may shift from 1 lb total N of 15 -0 -15 slow release to a 1/2 lb N of 5 -0 -20 for a fall fer- tilization as dormancy approaches. Leaching losses of nitrogen can be minimized by using controlled - release nitrogen sources, making frequent, low -rate applications of soluble fertilizers, or applying a combination of the two fertilizer materials. Low -rate applications are usually made using soluble fertilizers, whether applied as a liq- uid or granular product. Quick Release Sources One of the most common nitrogen fertilizers is urea (46 percent N), which is a water - soluble, synthetic organic nitrogen fertilizer with quick N- release characteristics. Urea can be applied as either liquid or granules, and is subject to volatilization, or loss of nitrogen to the atmos- phere. If urea is applied to a turfgrass surface and not incorporated through proper irrigation, significant quan- tities of N can be lost through volatilization. Therefore, it is imperative that the proper quantity of water be applied following the application of urea fertilizer, unless rainfall is anticipated within 8 to 12 hours. Recall that one inch of applied water moves the water front 12 inches through a Florida sandy soil; therefore, do not apply excessive irri- gation. Application of U4 inch of water should be suffi- cient to solubilize most of the urea and move it into the turfgrass root zone. If urea is applied and followed by rainfall of an inch or greater within 8 to 12 hours after application, urea -N may move below the turfgrass root zone because of its non- ionic nature and be lost through leaching. Although urea does not leach as rapidly or uniformly as nitrate -N signif- icant loss of N can occur if excessive irrigation or rainfall occurs shortly after application. Once the urea has been exposed to soil or turfgrass thatch layer for a short time, it is converted by the enzyme urease to the ammonium -N form, which is more likely to be retained by the soil. This conversion of urea is usually complete within the first 24 hours after application. Thus, a heavy rainfall 2 to 3 days after an application of urea should not be as influential on N movement. Figure 18. Weigh fertilizer to get accurate results. Recently some new types of stabilized N fertilizer materi- als have been commercialized. These products contain urease inhibitors, which slow the conversion of urea to ammonium and reduce the volatilization loss of N. Therefore, these products can be left on the surface longer without significant loss of N through volatiliza- tion. This delay in urea conversion is usually 3 to 5 days, which means that the N remains in the urea form for a longer period of time and subjects the urea to leaching losses if heavy rainfall occurs during this period. In most FLORIDA FRIENDLY BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES for Protedion of Water Resources by the Green Industries CJ RESOLUTION NO. R -13 -07 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR ACTION TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH OF THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON ECOSYSTEM; SUPPORTING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON COALITION; PLEDGING THE COOPERATION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN IN EFFORTS TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO RESTORING THE HEALTH OF THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon is a 156 mile long estuarine ecosystem that contributes $3.7 billion to the coastal economy of Indian River County and four additional other counties; and WHEREAS, high nutrient inputs to the Indian River Lagoon result from stormwater releases, runoff, seeping septic systems, and sewage treatment plant overflow events along the 156 miles of the ecosystem; and WHEREAS, these pollutants continue to degrade the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem, leading to declining habitat quality for fish and wildlife, including dolphins, sea turtles, manatees and birds; and WHEREAS, such high nutrient inputs have also detrimentally affected seagrass beds in the Indian River Lagoon, which seagrass beds are the biological foundation of this ecosystem and a prime indicator of the health of the Indian River Lagoon; and WHEREAS, the significant loss of these seagrass beds, as well as mangroves, oyster reefs and wetlands, affects the viability of both lagoon and ocean fisheries as well as habitat for birds and other wildlife; and WHEREAS, the continuing degradation of the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem indicates that past and current efforts to address these effects may not be sufficient; and WHEREAS, success in reversing this trend will require the leadership, support and cooperation of federal, state, county and city governments in cooperation with non - profit organizations, corporations, small businesses, and individuals; and WHEREAS, the Indian River Coalition was envisioned to enable such a cooperative effort aimed at the revitalization and restoration of the health of the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Sebastian, Florida desires to express support for the Indian River Lagoon Coalition and pledge the cooperation of the City of Sebastian in working to correct the aforementioned problems affecting the Indian River Lagoon. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA as follows: Section 1. The foregoing "Whereas" clauses are hereby adopted and incorporated herein. Section 2. The City Council of the City of Sebastian hereby expresses its support for the efforts of the Indian River Lagoon Coalition and pledges cooperation of the City of Sebastian in the goal of finding solutions and developing and implementing a viable plan for successfully restoring the health of the Indian River Lagoon. Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect upon its adoption. The foregoing Resolution was moved for adoption by Bob McPartlan seconded by follows: Andrea Coy and upon, being put to a vote, the vote was as Mayor Bob McPartlan aye Vice Mayor Don Wright aye Council Member Jerome Adams aye Council Member Andrea Coy aye Council Member Jim Hill aye The Mayor thereupon declared this Resolution duly passed and adopted this 10th day of April 2013. CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA i ay: ' !r Bob McPartlan, Mayor ATTEST: Sally A. Maio MC City Clerk Approved as to Form and Content for Relq by the City of Sebastian Only: Robert A. Ginsburg, City Attorney 0) Indian River Lagoon Coalition "A Call to Action" Our Indian River Lagoon is on life support, dying before our eyes. This is a call to develop a unified plan to work together to restore the Lagoon before it's too late. The Indian River Lagoon's seagrass beds are the biological foundation of the 156 mile long estuarine ecosystem which supports the coastal economy of 5 counties. This ecosystem is in dire need of our directed, concerted assistance. We recognize and commend significant efforts by government, individuals and organizations that have contributed to the knowledge of the lagoon and its varied habitats, increased awareness and worked to correct some of the problems. Unfortunately, continued degradation of the Lagoon indicates that those efforts have been insufficient. Success in turning this trend will require the leadership and financial support of federal, state, county and city governments in cooperation with non - profit organizations, corporations, small businesses and individuals. Government leadership is essential to solve this problem because it has the power to construct improvements, regulate, fund, enforce, acquire land, mitigate and provide services. Research and monitoring of the Lagoon provide data that demonstrate the gravity of the problem, but simultaneously can guide us towards future solutions necessary to revive the Lagoon. 1. Seagrass coverage is the prime indicator of the health of the Lagoon (s). During a two year period (2009 -11) there has been an estimated 43% .loss in area covered by seagrass which is equivalent to approximately 53 square miles (2). 2. The Lagoon contributes $3.7 billion to the coastal economy annually (s). Seagrass productivity contributes between $10- 20,000 annually per acre per year in economic benefit (4). Based on seagrass losses over the last two years the economic loss is approximately $340 million annually (s). 3. Pollutants are degrading the Lagoon. Lesions on fishes and sea turtles, flesh- eating fungus on dolphins and fish kills are increasingly common, demonstrating declining habitat quality (6). 4. Habitat loss of seagrass beds, mangroves, oyster reefs and wetlands is affecting the viability of lagoon and ocean fisheries, as well as bird and manatee health and will continue to decline unless action is taken! 5. High nutrient inputs to Lagoon waters result from storm water releases, runoff, seeping septic systems and overflow events at sewage treatment plants. The cumulative results of those events reduce water quality creating a chain of negative impacts on the Lagoon, including recent algae superblooms. The health of the Indian River Lagoon is a foundation of economic viability and social wealth for the Treasure and Space Coasts. An overall vision and viable plan to restore the Lagoon back to health is the top priority. We the undersigned believe a successful Lagoon remediation will 'require government leadership and community commitment by all. We cannot delay - the future of the Lagoon is in our hands and must be addressed on our watch. This document is a "Call to Action" for our governments to accept this - leadership role. Individual: Bob McPartlan, Mayor Organization: City of Sebastian Contact Person: Al Minner, City Manager Address: 1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958 Telephone: (772)58.-5330 E -Mail: aminner @cityofsebastian.org Signature f ,��,f --_ Date 4/10/13 Return to one of the following: John Orcutt Doug Graybill 4665 Pebble Bay South 500 Palm Island Lane Vero Beach, FL 32963 Vero Beach, FL 32963 pulexCa)bellsouth.net Doug Ca)GraybiIlGroup.com References: 1. IRL NEP, Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Plan. 2008. Indian River Lagoon assessment and analysis update, final report, contract no. 24706. Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, Palm Bay, Fl. Steward, J.S., R. Brockmeyer, R. Virnstein, P. Gostel, P. Sime, and J. VanArman. 2003. Indian River Lagoon Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Plan, 2002 Update. St. Johns River Water Management District, Palatka, Florida and South Florida Water Mangement District, West Palm Beach, Florida 2. St John's Water Management District; preliminary data 3. Environmental Protection Agency, National Estuary Program, 2007 4. Dennis Hanisak, PhD, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, personal communication 5. 33,920 acres of seagrass loss in the IRL from 2009 -2011 x $10,000 /acre /year 6. Edith Widder, PhD, Ocean Research and Conservation Association, personal communication I 1 g INDIAN RIVER LAGOON COALITION SUPPORTERS 09/10/201 MUNICIPALITIES 1. City of Fellsmere 2. City of Sebastian 3. City of Vero Beach 4. Indian River County Board of County Commissioners 5. Town of Orchid 6. Town of Indian River Shores NON - PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS 1. Anglers for Conservation 2. Archie Carr National Wildlife Rufuge 3. Audubon Florida 4. Center for Spiritual Care 5. Environmental Learning Center 6. Eugenia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society 7. Every Dream Has A Price 8. Florida Oceanographic Society 9. Florida Aquaculture Foundation 10. Friends of the St. Sebastian River 11. Garden Club of Indian River County 12. Indian Riverkeeper 13. Indian River Community Foundation 14. Indian River Land Trust 15. Indian River Neighborhood Association 16. Keep Indian River Beautiful 17. Main Street Vero Beach 18. Mangrove Garden Foundation 19. Marine Resources Council 20. Ocean Research and Conservation Association, Inc. 21. Partnership for a Sustainable Future, Inc. 22. Pelican Island Audubon Society 23. Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge 24. Save Our Shores 25. Schacht Groves 26. Sebastian Charter Jr. High Board of Directors 27. Sebastian Charter Jr. High Faculty /Staff 28. Sebastian Charter Jr. High PTSO Board 29. Sebastian Fishing Club 30. Sierra Club - Turtle Coast Group 31. Sustainable Indian River, Inc. 32. Treasure Coast Progressive Alliance 33. Vero Beach Choral Society 34. Vero Beach Ducks Unlimited Chapter 35. Vero Beach Power Squadron 36. Visiting Nurses Association of the Treasure Coast, Inc. 37. Youth Guidance Mentoring Program BUSINESS / PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 1. A -1 -A Property Management 2. Adventure Kayaking 3. Alex MacWilliam Inc. Real Estate 4. American Institute of Architects (AIA) - Treasure Coast Chapter 5. Angela Love, Midwife 6. Aquatic Research and Communication 7. Art of Smiles Dentistry 8. Atlantic Financial Services 9. Banov Architecture PA & Banov Construction 10. Best Industries, Inc. 11. Bio Green of IRC 12. Brandt's Appliance Service, Inc 13. Brewer International, Inc. 14. Capt Hiram's 15. Central Window of Vero Beach 16. Chelsea's On Cardinal 17. Citrus Grillhouse 18. Classic Car Wash 19. Climatic Solar Corp. 20. Coastal Tech Corp, Inc. 21. Dagwood's Deli and Sub Shop 22. Dean Wellness Institute 23. Don Smith's Paint Store 24. Don Wright Real Estate, LLC 25. East Coast Lumber Company 26. El Prado 27. Elliott Merrill Community Management 28. Estuarine, Coastal and Ocean Science, Inc. 29. Fantastic Finds 30. Father and Sons Carpet 31. Florida Organic Aquaculture 32. French Quarter Restaurant 33. Harbor Shell 34. Healthway of Vero Beach 35. If You Died Guide 36. Infinity Golf 37. J & G Organics 38. Joey's Seafood Shack 39. Kevin S. Doty P.A. 40. Kirschner's Lawn and Landscape 41. Larry Landsman, MD, PA 42. Laura Lee Furniture 43. Lemon Tree Restaurant 44. Marsh Landing Restaurant 45. Mary Mack Cleaning Service 46. Moor & Associates Architects 47. Ocean Grown Inc. 48. Past and Present Interiors 49. Patty's Printing, Inc. 50. Perkins Indian River Pharmacy 51. Petite Shop 52. Pomodoro Grill 53. Professional Outfitters 54. Quality 1St Plumbing, LLC 55. Re/Max Beach and Beyond 56. Republic Services 57. Sandman Furniture Repair 58. Sea Turtle Toys 59. Shells and Things, LLC 60. Smart Solutions 61. Sunshine Furniture 62. Surlaterrre Landscape Architecture 63. Tropical Kayak Tours 64. Vascular Interventional and Vein Associates 65. Vero Beach Book Center 66. Vero Beach Weightlifting 67. Vero Commercial Management 68. Vero Heritage Inc. 69. Wellness Center 70. Wild Properties, Inc. 71. Will's 55 Restaurant 72. Wire Wheel Classic Sports Cars, Inc. PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATIONS /CLUBS 1. Moorings Yacht and Country Club 2. Pebble Bay Homeowners Association 3. Peppertree Homeowners Association 4. Roseland Community Association 5. Sea Oaks Property Owners Association 6. Sebastian Property Owners Association 7. South Beach Property Owners Association 8. Vero Isles Association, Inc. FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS 1. Christ By the Sea United Methodist Church 2. Indian River Ministerial Association 3. Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 1. Brown University Club of Treasure Coast 2. Dartmouth Club of Vero Beach 3. Harvard Club of Vero Beach 4. Princeton Club of Vero Beach 5. Smith College Club of the Treasure Coast 6. Vassar Club of Vero Beach 7. Yale Club of the Treasure Coast SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS 1. Exchange Club of Indian River 2. Exchange Club of Vero Beach 3. Kiwanis Club of Vero - Treasure Coast 4. Rotary Club of Vero Beach Sunrise 1 1 _