Plant nutrients and relevant terms

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Fertiliser granules with polymer (also called resin) coatings can be manufactured as either semi-permeable or impermeable membranes with small pores through which nutrients diffuse.

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An expression of the Potassium content, as Potassium Oxide (K2O), within a fertiliser or soil. The grass plant doesn't take up the element in this compound form.

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A major plant nutrient which is represented by the chemical symbol K. It typically forms the second highest percentage of any plant nutrient (excluding carbon, hydrogen and oxygen) within a turfgrass leaf, with a typical dry matter mid-range concentration being around 2%. A very mobile nutrient within a plant, it plays a significant role in controlling water movement through a plant, being the cation, which is most present within the liquid contained within cells and having relatively high concentrations in stomata to regulate transpiration as well as CO2 uptake for photosynthesis. It is im

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A finely ground, dusty material, which may also contain gritty bits of material. A powdered fertiliser is usually an organic fertiliser but can be inorganic as well.

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A manufactured pellet. It will typically have been made from a molten condition in an industrial process, with one or more plant nutrients within the liquid, and cooled to form relatively uniform spheres.

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The macro-nutrients of either nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium.

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There appears to be a relatively consistent ratio (although still subject to a variance from a mean) of primary nutrients removed in a turfgrass leaf over a range of nitrogen inputs. A general ratio of 9:1:6 (N:P:K) or 4:1:3 (N:P2O5:K2O) is a good working guide.

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The macro-nutrients of Calcium, Magnesium and Sulphur. Sodium is also classed as a secondary nutrient in the Fertilisers Regulations 1991, however, this for its benefit to agricultural animals and not turfgrasses.

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Acronym for Staged Nutrient Release. This is often used in reference to polymer coated fertilisers which release nutrients at different stages within the soil.

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A nutrient for C4 plants and utilised by animals from the eating of crops and fodder.