The Sports Turf Nutrition course will enable you to acquire the skills required for applying fertilisers, supported by knowledge of plant foods and the subsequent effects on sports turf.

You will develop the skills to identify deficiency symptoms of major and minor elements and the symptoms of excess of major elements.

You will be able to use the correct terminology relating to the choice and use of fertilisers, calculate quantities required, calibrate a fertiliser distributor and apply fertiliser in a given situation.

Gain an understanding of the essential nutrients required by turf to create a sustainable sports turf surface.

At the end of the course you will have achieved the following outcomes that will enable you to achieve the performance criteria noted.

Outcome 1 - Explain the importance of mineral elements in turf nutrition. 

Performance Criteria:

• Describe the use of major elements in turf nutrition.
• State the significance of minor elements in turf nutrition.
• Describe the symptoms and effect on turf of a deficiency of a major and minor element.
• Describe the symptoms and effect on turf of an excess of a major element.

Outcome 2 - Identify types of fertiliser and state uses of each.

Performance Criteria:

• Use fertiliser terminology correctly.
• State a range of fertiliser formulations.
• State various modes of release of fertilisers and state specific uses of each.
• Identify the common fertiliser types.
• State sources of fertiliser of the major nutrients

Outcome 3 - Select an appropriate fertiliser and the quantity required for a given situation.

Performance Criteria:

• Determine the area of sports turf.
• Select fertilisers for given situations.
• Calculate quantities of fertiliser required for given situations.

Outcome 4 - Operate a fertiliser distributor.

Performance Criteria:

• Set distributor according to operator’s manual.
• Calibrate distributor by an appropriate method.
• Apply fertiliser to a given area in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
• Maintain distributor according to operator’s manual.
• Correctly observe safe working practices in all practical activities

You are expected to follow the lectures in order and will be required to watch 90% of the videos before you can advance to the next lecture.

Good luck, and enjoy!