CFA Best Practices for Application 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary reason to avoid applying fertilizer on frozen or snow-covered ground?
- Fertilizer degrades faster in cold temperatures
- Nutrients will run off with snowmelt into waterways (Correct answer)
- Frozen soil absorbs fertilizer too rapidly
- Spreader equipment cannot function in cold conditions
Correct answer: Nutrients will run off with snowmelt into waterways
Fertilizer applied to frozen or snow-covered ground cannot be absorbed and will run off with snowmelt, causing nutrient pollution in nearby waterways.
Question 2: Which buffer distance from a water body is most commonly required before fertilizer application can begin?
- 5 feet
- 10 feet
- 25 feet (Correct answer)
- 50 feet
Correct answer: 25 feet
Many state regulations require a minimum 25-foot vegetative buffer zone between fertilizer application areas and water bodies to reduce nutrient runoff.
Question 3: When applying granular fertilizer near a sidewalk or driveway, what is the best practice?
- Apply extra fertilizer to compensate for what lands on pavement
- Blow or sweep granules back onto the turf immediately (Correct answer)
- Leave granules on pavement to wash away with rain
- Apply a liquid sealant over the granules on pavement
Correct answer: Blow or sweep granules back onto the turf immediately
Granules that land on impervious surfaces must be blown or swept back onto turf to prevent them from washing into storm drains and water bodies.
Question 4: What does the term 'slow-release' fertilizer refer to?
- Fertilizer that must be applied slowly with a hand spreader
- A product that releases nutrients gradually over an extended period (Correct answer)
- Fertilizer stored at low temperatures to slow degradation
- A granule size that dissolves after several days of watering
Correct answer: A product that releases nutrients gradually over an extended period
Slow-release fertilizers release nutrients gradually over weeks or months, reducing the risk of leaching and runoff compared to quickly soluble products.
Question 5: A soil test recommends 1.5 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft. Your fertilizer bag is 30-0-10. How many pounds of fertilizer do you need per 1,000 sq ft?
- 1.5 lb
- 3 lb
- 5 lb (Correct answer)
- 4.5 lb
Correct answer: 5 lb
Divide the desired nitrogen rate by the nitrogen fraction: 1.5 lb ÷ 0.30 = 5 lb of 30-0-10 fertilizer per 1,000 sq ft.
Question 6: Why is it important to calibrate a fertilizer spreader before each use?
- Calibration prevents the spreader from rusting
- Wear and setting changes can alter actual application rates (Correct answer)
- Calibration increases the spreader's ground speed
- Manufacturers require calibration to maintain warranty
Correct answer: Wear and setting changes can alter actual application rates
Mechanical wear, setting drift, and product differences can cause uncalibrated spreaders to over- or under-apply fertilizer, leading to poor results or environmental harm.
Question 7: Which weather condition poses the greatest risk for nitrogen loss through volatilization after a urea application?
- Cool, cloudy days with no wind
- Hot, sunny, and windy conditions (Correct answer)
- Overcast days with high humidity
- Cold nights following warm afternoons
Correct answer: Hot, sunny, and windy conditions
Hot, sunny, and windy conditions accelerate the conversion of urea to ammonia gas, increasing volatilization losses before the nitrogen can enter the soil.
CFA Best Practices for Application 2
What is the primary reason to avoid applying fertilizer on frozen or snow-covered ground?