, C. Wesley Wood, and Elizabeth Guertal. Auburn University, 201 Funchess Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849
Ammonia volatilization can be a major pathway of nitrogen (N) loss from turfgrass systems. This study was conducted to determine if mowing had an effect on N loss via ammonia (NH
3) volatilization from six fertilizers applied to turfgrass. The effects of mowing on NH
3 volatilization were studied in Auburn, AL, at the Turfgrass Research Unit on a bentgrass (
Agrostis stolonifera L. var.
palustris (Huds.) Farw.) putting green. Six N sources were used in the study: Urea (46% N), Sulfur Coated Urea (SCU) (39% N), Polyon (41% N), Methex (40% N), Ammonium Nitrate (34% N), and Milorganite (6% N). There was never an interaction between mowing N source with regard to NH
3 volatilization. Over the ten day measurement period, urea had the greatest NH
3 volatilization, with the highest proportion of that being released in the first two days after treatment. Polyon released the least NH
3 with the greatest release being nine and ten days after treatment. By the end of 10 days, mean volatilization loss of urea and SCU were not different. Polyon, Methex, ammonium nitrate, and Milorganite did not differ in NH
3 volatilized at the end of 10 days. Treatments in order from most to least NH
3 volatilization were: urea, SCU, Methex, ammonium nitrate, Milorganite, and Polyon. Mowing did not have an effect on the amount of N lost to NH
3 volatilization in these fertilizers applied to turfgrass. However, different N sources do have different rates of NH
3 volatilization over time.