Characteristics of Common Turfgrass N Sources
Classification, burn potential, leaching potential, low temperature response and residual effect on common turfgrass N sources
Fertilizer Source N content % Leaching Potential Burn Potential Low Temp-Response Residual Effect
Inorganic        
Ammonium nitrate 33-34 High High Rapid Short
Calcium nitrate 16 High High Rapid Short
Ammonium sulfate 21 High High Rapid Short
Organic-Natural
Activated sewage sludge 6 Very low Very low Very low Long
Manures 03-10 Very low Very low Very low Long
Other Natural Products 03-10 Very low Very low Very low Long
Synthetic
Urea 45-46 Moderate High Rapid Short
Urea solutions Dec-14 Moderate High Rapid Short
Sulfur coated urea 12-14 Low Low Moderate Moderate
Resin coated urea 24-35 Low Low Moderate Long
Isobutylidene diurea (IBDU) 30-31 Mod.Low Low Moderate Moderate
Methylene ureas and Ureaformaldehyde* 38 Low Low Low Mod.Long to Long
*some products may contain urea in addition to the ureaformaldehyde component
Table 2: Characteristics of common turfgrass nitrogen sources [30].