Plasma-fixated nitrogen as fertilizer for turf grass

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Plant Science

Background:

• Nitrogen is a crucial nutrient for plant growth, but traditional fertilizer production is energy-intensive.
• Developing sustainable and efficient nitrogen fertilizer alternatives is essential for agriculture and turf management.
• Plasma technology offers a novel method for nitrogen fixation, potentially reducing environmental impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate plasma-fixated nitrogen as a fertilizer for recreational turfgrass.
• To determine the optimal nitrate concentration for turf growth.
• To assess the efficacy of plasma-fixated nitrogen compared to conventional nitrate fertilizers.

Main Methods:

• Experiments were conducted using rye grass and bent grass.
• Varying concentrations of plasma-fixated nitrogen were applied.
• Phosphorus and potassium were added to create a complete N-P-K fertilizer.
• Comparisons were made against sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate.

Main Results:

• Turfgrass growth and biomass were significantly influenced by plasma-fixated nitrogen concentration.
• The addition of phosphorus and potassium enhanced grass growth.
• Plasma-fixated nitrogen demonstrated superior or equal efficacy compared to sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate.

Conclusions:

• Plasma-fixated nitrogen is a viable and effective fertilizer for turfgrass.
• This technology presents a sustainable alternative for nitrogen fertilization in turf management.
• Further research can optimize plasma-fixated nitrogen application for various turf species.