Published: 05:26 AM, 08 March 2026
Necessity of A Turf Grass Center for Nutrient Management
Professor Dr. Mohammad Zahangeer Alam
Essential nutrients enter the soil from several sources, with the soil itself serving as the primary reservoir. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are required in large quantities for turfgrass growth, while other nutrients are needed in smaller amounts. Soil minerals, soil particles (sand, silt, and clay), organic matter, and microbial activity contribute to the breakdown of organic materials, making nutrients available for plant uptake. These processes represent the primary natural sources of nutrients for turfgrass. Fertilizers serve as supplementary sources to meet additional nutrient requirements.
Fertilizers are broadly classified into inorganic (synthetic) and organic types. Inorganic fertilizers supply nutrients rapidly in water-soluble forms that are readily absorbed by turfgrass, such as urea, ammonium sulfate, and potassium nitrate. Organic fertilizers, which are derived from natural materials, release nutrients more slowly and rely on microbial activity for nutrient mineralization. Common examples include compost, blood meal as a nitrogen source, and bone meal as a phosphorus source. Slow-release fertilizers, including sulfur-coated or polymer-coated urea, are designed to supply nutrients gradually over extended periods and are particularly important for maintaining turfgrass quality on golf courses.
Turfgrass growth, color, density, and stress tolerance depend on the availability of essential mineral nutrients, particularly the macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients, together with secondary nutrients-calcium, magnesium, and sulfur-and micronutrients, are vital for root development, energy transfer, and disease resistance. Nitrogen is the most critical nutrient, promoting vigorous growth and chlorophyll production; its deficiency often results in pale, stunted turf. Phosphorus supports root development and energy transfer, particularly during early establishment, while potassium enhances resistance to drought, temperature stress, and disease. Micronutrients, such as iron, are required in smaller quantities but play essential roles in chlorophyll synthesis and overall plant health.
A balanced N:P: K ratio, such as 8:2:5, is recommended for turfgrass. For Bermuda grass, 50 kg of urea may be applied per acre, which corresponds to approximately 12 g of urea per square meter. For fairways, at least three times this amount of nitrogen-containing urea fertilizer may be applied, while for greens, at least eight times this amount is recommended. A dose of 27 kg of triple superphosphate (TSP) per acre, equivalent to approximately 7 g per square meter, is recommended for phosphorus supply. For fairways, at least twice this amount of TSP may be applied, and for greens, at least six times this amount is recommended. Similarly, a dose of 27 kg of muriate of potash (MoP) per acre, or about 7 g per square meter, is recommended for potassium. For fairways, at least twice this amount of MoP may be applied, and for greens, at least six times this amount is recommended. For slow-release fertilizers, a granular formulation is generally preferred, often applied at 50 g/m² per year for Bermuda grass. However, nutrient management should also consider soil nutrient availability and the intensity of traffic on the turf.
Soil amendments, including compost, can enhance nutrient and water retention and help regulate soil pH. Soil pH plays a critical role in nutrient availability and overall turfgrass performance. Most turfgrasses grow best in slightly acidic to neutral soils, with an optimal pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Soil pH values below 5.5 indicate acidic conditions that may require lime application, such as dolomite, while pH levels above 7.0 suggest alkaline conditions, which can limit the availability of nutrients such as iron and manganese and may require sulfur-based amendments, such as gypsum. For soil correction, approximately 500 g of gypsum per square meter can be applied to lower soil pH, whereas about 250 g of dolomite per square meter can be applied to raise soil pH and maintain turfgrass health. Regular soil testing, particularly during the rainy and winter seasons, is essential for determining appropriate nutrient management and amendment practices.
In Bangladesh, seventeen golf courses are affiliated with the Bangladesh Golf Federation (BGF). While several of these courses are well maintained and meet international standards, most lack qualified turf specialists capable of effectively managing and maintaining turfgrass. In this context, the establishment of a national turfgrass research and training center is critically important. Such a center would serve as a central authority to monitor turf conditions, conduct scientific research, and provide standardized management recommendations for all golf courses across the country.
Proper nutrient management is essential for maintaining high-quality turfgrass. Despite its importance, most personnel responsible for turf maintenance lack sufficient knowledge of the appropriate types, timing, and application rates of fertilizers required for optimal turf growth. To address this gap, trained turf experts should be employed under the affiliation of the Bangladesh Golf Federation to provide technical guidance and supervision to golf courses nationwide. Furthermore, a national turfgrass research center equipped with modern laboratory facilities should be established to support soil and turf analysis, develop science-based management practices, and enhance turf maintenance programs through collaboration with international turf specialists.
At present, no Turfgrass Center exists under the Bangladesh Golf Federation. The establishment of such a center is therefore essential to ensure systematic monitoring and expert-based recommendations for improving golf course conditions nationwide. This would significantly enhance the quality and consistency of playing surfaces. In this regard, the Bangladesh Golf Federation should take the initiative to establish a Turfgrass Center at Kurmitola Golf Club, with all golf courses operating under its technical authority.
Furthermore, turfgrass nutrient management practices should strictly follow the expert recommendations issued by the Turfgrass Center. This centralized approach would ensure uniformity and standardization of turf conditions across all golf courses, making them suitable for year-round play in Bangladesh. Currently, most golf courses do not maintain Bermuda grass on their fairways, although it is commonly used on greens. Even on greens, multiple turfgrass species are often present. Therefore, turfgrass maintenance-particularly fertilizer application and nutrient management-must be guided by soil nutrient requirements determined through regular soil testing and laboratory analysis.
Professor Dr. Mohammad
Zahangeer Alam belongs to
Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU)
and Member in Air Force Golf Link (AFGL), Kurmitola, Dhaka. He can be reached at [email protected]
