AGR-151: Evaluating Fertilizer Recommendations

Lloyd Murdock | Feb. 5, 2025 (Revised)

Soil testing and making fertilizer recommendations are not the same thing. While soil test results estimate the plant available nutrients in a field, the fertilizer recommendation, which is based on an interpretation of soil test results, determines how much lime and fertilizer are needed by a particular crop species on a particular field. Several philosophies are used in interpreting soil test results for lime and fertilizer recommendations. Each of these philosophies is based on different assumptions about crop needs and how crops respond at different soil test levels and different amounts and ratios of nutrients. For any of these philosophies to have value, they must be correlated to the soil types and climatic conditions present.

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AGR-278: Bermudagrass Control for Kentucky Lawns

Kenneth Clayton, Paul Rideout, Jason Vaughn, Beth Wilson | May. 24, 2024 (New)

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), a warm-season perennial grass, increasingly has become a problem in Kentucky cool-season turfgrass. Over much of the lower Southeastern United States, bermudagrass is the king of the turfgrasses. Celebrated for its aggressive growth habit, quick recovery, and ability to tolerate low mowing heights, bermudagrass can be found everywhere from high-end golf courses and prestigious sports stadiums to home lawns.

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AGR-270: Restoring a Flood-damaged Lawn

Kenneth Clayton, Paul Rideout, Jason Vaughn, Beth Wilson | Mar. 14, 2023 (New)

Flooding across Kentucky has been an increasing problem in recent years and has caused significant damage to many properties, including home lawns. The deterioration or death of turfgrass is often caused by grass being smothered with silt and sand deposits left from the flood or grass being submerged under water for prolonged periods. Lack of oxygen to the plant can cause death when submerged, and the rate of death is often worse with higher water temperatures. Repairing these areas is important for reducing chances of erosion as well as allowing a return to the regular use of the lawn.

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AGR-272: Preemergence Herbicides for Kentucky Lawns

Kenneth Clayton, Jason Vaughn, Beth Wilson | Feb. 16, 2023 (New)

Herbicides are used to control unwanted plants in many different locations. Postemergence herbicides are sprayed on actively growing weeds. In turfgrass, several herbicides are used to control weeds before they germinate and begin to grow. These are called "preemergence herbicides" and are commonly sold as "weed preventers." They control germinating weed seeds and subsequent growth. Therefore, to be effective, preemergence herbicides must be present in the upper soil surface before weed seeds germinate.