Fertilizer burn can usually be recognized by which symptom?

Fertilizer burn refers to the damage that occurs when too much fertilizer is applied to turfgrass, leading to excessive salt accumulation. The primary symptom of fertilizer burn is irregular brown spots in the grass. These spots appear when the turf suffers from desiccation or root burn due to the high concentration of salts found in fertilizers.

When the soil becomes overly saturated with salts from the fertilizer, it can lead to dehydration of the grass plants, thus causing them to develop these browning patterns in a non-uniform manner. This is crucial for recognizing fertilizer burn early, allowing for adjustments in management practices to prevent further damage. In contrast, a uniform green color, excessively moist soil, and healthy root development are not indicative of fertilizer burn and demonstrate that the turf is thriving rather than experiencing stress from nutrient overload.