Seaweed, humic, fulvic
acid, molasses and organics are all biostimulants,
but what biology are you stimulating? What biology do you desire? And how can
you ensure you are creating the biology for your needs? In this article, I will
explain the functions of different microorganisms, how the 'soil food web'
works, how this can be encouraged, how you can ensure biology is present and
how to get the best out of your soil by utilising
soil biology.
Simple!
Well not really, the living ecosystem below our feet, the biology and the heart
of healthy soil is a complex subject. Add this to what we do to create a great
playing surface and the subject gets even more complicated. Soil has an
incredible diversity of organisms, this makes up the soil food web. They range
in size from the tiniest one-celled bacteria, fungi and protozoa, to the more
complex nematodes and micro-arthropods, to the visible earthworms, insects, small vertebrates. These organisms eat, grow, reproduce and
move through the soil. They decompose organic matter (thatch, humus, dead
organisms) creating food for the plant. They use nitrogen and other nutrients, that might otherwise enter groundwater, and give
the nutrients back to the plant. Many organisms protect the plant from
pathogens and other soil organisms that prey on our much loved pitches and
greens.
Compost tea is fast becoming the backbone of many a greenkeeper's
management programme, with the intention geared
towards reduced chemical and fertiliser inputs, and
species conversion towards the fine bent/fescue swards. It's the simplest and
most cost effective way of introducing life into the soil. This biological soup
is teeming with diverse life, all eating and reproducing. Living the dream!
However, some will argue that compost tea is unnecessary, and all that is
needed is to use a quality stimulant.
If you have a quality compost tea and back this up with a quality biostimulant ... bingo, you have the perfect combination.
Introducing the right biology and stimulating the right biology. By introducing
the diverse biology into the soil you have a guarantee,
you are also able to redress the balance when chemicals, salt fertilisers etc. are applied.
In healthy soils, there are four main microorganisms that affect our soil and
plants: bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes. They all have a job to do;
they are interlinked in many ways and all rely on each other. They have a
symbiotic relationship with the plants, providing food and protection. They
provide competitive exclusion towards other pathogens; after all, most
pathogens are opportunist, and beneficial microbes will restrict that
opportunity. They will eat organic matter, turning this to available nutrients
for the plant. They will even eat each other and turn this into available food
for the plant. They will be breeding in a microscopic orgy of lust. They will
be moving through the soil searching for food and lovers, creating air spaces
for roots and air to move into, making soil aerobic and friable.
So, let's look at the soils that host the biology. Firstly, soil needs to be
aerobic to harbour healthy soil biology. If the soil
smells - contains anaerobic blacklayer - then this needs to be addressed. This is Mother Nature's way of
telling you that the soil is biologically poor. And, if our soils are
biologically poor, thatch will not degrade into organic matter and humus,
organic nutrients will not convert into available plant food; disease pathogens
will take advantage and the grass plant will suffer. So, the first port of call
is to address the anaerobic problem.
I still believe in the old ways, and I believe that the way we manage our soils
has a direct impact on the plants we grow. This philosophy has been tried and
tested since the time we started to grow plants. The only difference now is
that we have more of an understanding of our soils and, as a result, we have
the soil food web.
What function do the different species undertake?
Bacteria:
This single celled organism is a prolific reproducer. What it lacks in size it
makes up for in numbers - one billion bacteria per teaspoon of healthy soil. 
It feeds on simple
carbohydrates (sugar) and has an association with annuals, including Poa annua. Sugar based
bio-stimulants, like molasses, will feed bacteria.
The Benefits/Actions of Bacteria
- Decompose simple organic matter
- Recycle, solubilise and retain nutrients in the rootzone
- Protect the plant from disease
- Produce by-products that promote plant growth (enzymes, vitamins, hormones)
- Support Poa Annua
Bacteria will reproduce at a massive rate, it's relatively easy to produce and
encourage - aeration and some simple carbohydrates will soon see them appear in
abundance.
Fungi:
Fungi is
very different. This has an association with perennial plants like Fescue Bents
and
The Benefits/Actions of Fungi
- Decomposing thatch
- Nutrient cyclers
- Soil structure builders
- Plant protectors
- Support perennial plants
Fungi is more fragile and susceptible to chemicals and high salt fertilisers. But, once established, they have many more
benefits.
Protozoa:
Protozoa are single-celled
animals that feed primarily on bacteria, other protozoa and soluble organic
matter. These play an important role in nutrient cycling, due to their
fantastic appetite. One protozoa will eat 10,000+
bacteria each day, for example.
Obviously, with all the food the protozoa consume, they produce waste. This
waste is excreted as NH4 (ammonium), which is then available to the plant. They
are also an important food source for other soil organisms like earthworms and
beneficial nematodes. So, for nutrient recycling, protozoa is
king.
Nematodes:
Nematodes get a bad press, but they are, in fact, very beneficial. Nematodes
are microscopic worms. Like all worms, they move through the soil making
channels, eating and reproducing as they go. There are around 20,000 different
species that are known, however there are four different types:
- Bacterial feeders
- Fungal feeders
- Root feeders (Parasitic)
- Nematode feeders (Predatory)
Like protozoa, nematodes play an important role in
releasing nutrients in plant available form. So, why do nematodes get such bad press. This is because we have an imbalance in the soil.
Root feeders are the problem, sucking all that sugary goodness out of the
roots. In healthy soil you will find thousands of nematodes of all different
types. However, in unhealthy soil, you will only find rootfeeders.
Predatory nematodes will normally keep rootfeeders
under control, they love the sugary rootfeeder, they will eat them over any other type. If the rootfeeder has no predators, it is left alone to continue
chomping away at our root system
Biostimulants
So, what biology do you want to stimulate?
Bacteria = association with annual plants = stimulate
with simple carbohydrates, molasses
Fungi = association with perennial plants and grasses = stimulate with complex
carbohydrates = humic, seaweed, organic matter etc.
Scientifically, we know so much more now. We know the
operations and benefits of bacteria, different fungi, protozoa, nematodes etc.
For me, it's all about creating a healthy balance and a diverse ecosystem.
In the real world of greenkeeping, we need salty inorganics at times, we need chemicals, inert sand
dressings/sandy soils and, of course, compaction; not great for our ecosystem!
Compost tea is simply a great tool to apply biology, then we can feed the
biology with the correct biostimulant, we can reduce
the chemicals, salt fertilisers and aerate sensibly…
then we can keep the ecosystem. Many are enjoying great success by bringing
life back to the soils and working with nature.
Paul Lowe, Symbio. Email: Paul@symbio.co.uk
Read more articles in Consultancy, by Paul Lowe or from January 2012.
Read more articles from Issue 40 - December /
January 2011 / 2012
There are 37 comments on this
article
2 Weeks
ago by ian macmillan
Nice Article Paul and we all
have so much to learn. Catch up next week. Best Regards, Ian Mac
2 Weeks
ago by ped ro
That is a very good article a
lot of people will be impressed by it. Me personally, well I'm not convinced to
say the least.
Take a step back, look at the bigger picture. Where does
99% of the products we use come from? Simple, Agriculture.
The big companies don't spend millons on R&D to
keep golf courses and football pictures looking nice, they spend it to keep the
worlds food production up.
Now I know what I am about to say probably isn't very politically correct
but.......
If, natures way, biostimulants, compost teas etc was
the way forward every farmer and grower in the world would be throwing them on
by the bucketload, and the fact is they don't.
Ped
2 Weeks
ago by Martin
Ward
Ped ro
In fact very few of the products used in fine turf come from agriculture apart
from fungicides. I suspect very few turf managers use ammonium nitrate, rock
phosphate, sewage sludge and manure on their pitches or greens
In the last 90 or so years intensive agriculture has
developed by the application of inorganic fertilisers
(mineral salts) which increase yields at the expense of depleted soils and massive
use of pesticides to control fungal and insect pests. High salt index fertilisers also need more water and water is in very short
supply in many parts of the world that need intensive agriculture to feed
increasing populations
A lot of the research on genetic modification of crops is not done to increase
yields but to maintain existing yields on the poor quality, depleted soils many
farmers now have to work with.
The agricultural community is now being forced by legislation to look at
alternative methods, The EU has recently implemented water, soil, fertiliser and pesticide directives all targeted at
changing the way farming is done. It is widely recognised
at government and local level that soil and water quality must be improved.
The organic farming movement already works with healthy soils and conventional
farmers are quickly taking on board the benefits to be gained from restoring
the natural processes that use atmospheric nitrogen to feed plants, reducing
water inputs and working with the microbial populations that protect against
disease.
Luckily grass is a simple crop to research and in this instance sports turf
managers are ahead of the game.
2 Weeks
ago by mackay Last edited 2 Weeks ago
I think there is a place for biostimulants, teas etc - and it's
difficult to argue witht he testamonies
of some very experienced users but until convinced otherwise I'm afraid I agree
with ped ro.
2 Weeks
ago by mackay
Good, informative article
though!
2 Weeks
ago by Mike
Last edited 2 Weeks ago
I've dabbled, and had some
successes along the way.
The main thing that I have taken from my experiences is that nothing gives more
bang for your buck than simple cultural practices, everything else is
supplemental. Without the right 'cultural's',
all the biostimulants, or anything else for that
matter will range from having severely hindered efficacy to downright no
response at all. In saying that, once the fundamentals are nailed down, some of
the things discussed in the article can get you that extra 10% that you may be
looking for.
2 Weeks
ago by ped ro
Sorry martin,
got to disagree with what you say about fertilisers.
Rigby taylors Organic Mascot
Delta range contains chicken litter
Headlands Organic C Complex contains cow sh*t
Not to sure about Farmura but I think the clues in
the name.
Everyone is going mad over organic fertilisers but
what do they contain? These are the only ones I know that declare it on the
label.
What about the sludge that comes from slaughter houses?
Sorry I mean blood, meat, horn and bone meal, that's
all organic.
Don't want to worry anyone or anything but I believe (may be wrong) not all of
it is sourced in the
Anyone for a bag of BSE or Anthrax?
Ped
2 Weeks
ago by Philip
Harrison
Excellent
article Martin. Thanks very much.
I agree with what Mike says, good cultural practices are the key to quality
fine turf. If you have a continuing thatch problem then throwing on some thatch
eating fungi will not cut it. You must look to the root cause of the problem
first and address this first before undertaking a biostimulant
program.
To Ped ro, it is true years
ago that the production of sports surfaces was heavily linked to agriculture.
Thankfully we have moved on from that and we now see the big difference in that
we are not trying to produce a high yield crop.
We should be looking to a healthy soil and plant in order to produce quality
surfaces exactly as Martin and others have said.
The two industries, Agriculture and Sports turf, are chalk and cheese.
As for some of the organic fertilisers you mentioned,
I would never let them near any of my greens!!! Anything like that is only good
for growing potatoes not fescue and bent.
2 Weeks
ago by ped ro Last edited 2
Weeks ago
Looks like I'm not winning any
friends with my thoughts.
Philip, I take it you are a Symbio fan from your
comments, and Martin I take it you are connected to Symbio
with your email address.
With the comments above that you have both made I would suggest that you both
have a read through symbio's products.
I've just been having a browse though symbios
products on their website, guess what?
Mycogro complete organic fertilser
says on the contents that it contains 'approved' chicken manure.
Fish hydrolysate? I believe this is also added to Symbio products. Is that not just a fancy name for ground
up fish bones, scales and guts etc? The bits no one wants after Captain Birds
Eye has finished with it.
ped
2 Weeks
ago by mackay
I appologise,
I was really focussing on some of the teas rather
than simply the bio ferts. Farmers go mad for slurry
and 'organic' fertilisers, though I doubt many would
manage on these alone given the yields they require. Nothing wrong with some of
the manure products on turf either - in fact the micro-organisms and soil
beasties thrive on material that has passed through the gut of an animal and
I'm all on board with that. But compost teas and some of (not
all) the biostimulants? I'm not so sure that the
cost outweighs the benefits, or even if the benefits are not a result of or
achievable with things like increased aeration etc as Mike alludes to above.
....But then a lot of sportsturf is on a
sand-dominated playing surfaces and a bit different to some of the richer
soils.
Will organics supply me with 180kg/N/ha (or more) in a
cost effective manner? What is the N requirement for a premiership football
pitch these days? What happens to all that lovely 'extra' soil biology when I
need to apply an insecticide or want rapid green up with a cost effective iron
product?
But don't listen to me - I've got a nematode problem! I'll be visiting the Symbio stand at
2 Weeks
ago by aturnbull
Hi Paul & MartIn
Good article and look forward to meeting up again next week with your good selves.
Hi Ped ro. I am a former
Golf Course Manager and it was my short experience in supplying seaweed derived
products to farmers in
Hope to see you around too, Mackay.
Best regards
Andy Turnbull
2 Weeks
ago by mackay
Seaweed? I love cold-pressed seaweeds!
2 Weeks
ago by A
J
Hey big fella,
great article. Interesting reading comments. Look
forward to a bit more listening next week from all involved with soil biology.
Andy.
Grow in grace...........
2 Weeks
ago by ped ro Last edited 2
Weeks ago
I've nothing against Symbio and I know the healthier our soils are the better
our plants will be. All I want is suppliers to be straight with us.
Martin tells us that no one would spread manure on their turf anymore yet symbios fertilisers contain it.
There has been research done by
If you've got good healthy soils and put extra bacteria in, why do you have to
add more every few weeks/months? Why do they not survive and multiply? If it
was so healthy it surely should stay there. Is doing that healthy?
These are just a few of my thoughts, there's plenty more, but let's just say
I'm a bit unsure.
Ped
2 Weeks
ago by aturnbull
Well Ped,
next week is about increasing your knowledge and experience. See you around.
Best regards
Andy Turnbull
2 Weeks
ago by gregevans
Hi all
I find this bio subject so interesting and see so many positives but if i'm honest still not convinced. Ped
for me has made very valid points and I have yet to read accurate solid
independent data to back this subject up. Thats
not to say its not out there, just haven't found it yet.
I look forward to next week and i'm sure we will all
learn more on this subject.
Regards
Greg
2 Weeks
ago by ped ro
I'm all for learning new
things, I just want to make sure what I'm learning is correct.
I'd sooner learn new things that have been independently and scientifically
proven.
Ped
2 Weeks ago by Paul
lowe
Hello Ped
Micro biology has been researched for as long as we have had microscopes. You
will find a massive amount of independent - scientifically proven research on
soil biology if you look. I could send you some info if you like?
The idea of the article is to simply explain the different species and the
roles they play. Roles like decaying matter etc and what different
bio-stimulants... stimulate!
The article also explains that we have a need for inorganic fertiliser.
But it’s all about balance! What are you putting back in the soil?
There was a great article in Pitchcare recently about
seaweed. He explained about the old ways of using COMPOSTED seaweed in sand
dressings, other courses used leaf mulch. This was full of living fungi and
soil life. So soil biology is nothing new, greenkeepers
used life in top- dressings/ feed in Old Tom times, in fact soil life is as old
as life supported the earth.
See you in
2 Weeks
ago by Mike
Last edited 2 Weeks ago
Paul - interesting you mention the seaweed and leaf mulch - these are two practices
that I currently use with very good results. We routinely collect fresh seaweed
off the beach following storms, wash it, and compost
it - we also make a foliar spray from it too. All leaves from both sites are
collected and composted down in bin bags for a couple of years - this is used
in planters around the sites with very good results.
If nothing else, all of the above is free to those that have a readily
available source, so it would be foolish not to try it.
2 Weeks ago by Paul
lowe Last edited 2
Weeks ago
Brilliant Mike, The fact that
it has been broken down and the decaying process is in full swing it would be
interesting to see it through a microscope!
2 Weeks
ago by Mike
We are currently working with
the science dept at the schools. Have given a couple of talks to the students
on chemicals, history of ddt etc, and how things are
evolving with lower risk/environmental burden products - we aim to progress
into soil biology, involve students with practical projects such as making
compost teas, analyzing them under the microsopes in
the science labs etc.. all very interesting!
One thing about the decaying process of seaweed when we are making foliars... by christ
does it stink! Takes a brave soul to be on the 'stirring stick'!
2 Weeks
ago by has
2 mow
Mike
Have you tried aerating when you mix your seaweed, just wonder if the smell
comes from it being anerobic.
As for the independent trials. the
best you can get is your own, unless you believe all sale literature, you can
make a simple brewer for around £30 to £60 depending on the size you want.
2 Weeks ago
by Mike
Have tried with and without
aeration, Mark - little difference to the strength of the smell, but it does go
away sooner, which suggests to me that that aeration does speed up the
decomposition.
1 Week ago
by Martin
Ward
Ped ro I
can understand the uncertainty because soil biology is a relatively new science
and practitioners and researchers are learning more every day.
There are limited sources of organic nutrients most readily available sources
are cattle and pig slurry, blood, bone hoof and horn, chicken waste, fish waste
and concentrated molasses solubles from sugar beet
and cane. Nearly all organic fertilisers use these
raw materials as the primary source of
In agriculture the waste treatment companies supply the farms with waste from
the treatment plant and every country dweller is familiar with the smell of
“muck spreading” However before any of these are used on amenity turf they are
treated by various processes to make them acceptable for the turf industry. I
cannot think of any turf manager that spreads untreated manure or sewage sludge
on a playing surface.
Most agricultural nutrient comes in the form of ammonium nitrate and potassium
chloride whereas the turf industry mostly uses urea and ammonium and potassium sulphate and potassium nitrate which are much too expensive
for field crop use.
See these websites for the DEFRA/EU line on the future of soil management
, http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk/news/detail/?id=2868
http://www.defra.gov.uk/food-farm/land-manage/soil
Why do you have to keep adding biostimulants and
microbes? – Luckily BTME is next week and there will be plenty of opportunity
to discuss the issues but put simply the USGA spec green and 80/20 rootzone was designed for chemical management. There is not
enough organic matter to support the microbiology a plant needs for natural
growth. Eventually degraded thatch will provide much of the humic
and fulvic substances needed to support soil biology,
additions limited to replacing what is used or removed. Until a healthy rootzone is achieved the pump must be primed with the
correct microbes and food to maintain an excellent playing surface during the
transition.
1 Week ago
by Andy
Church
I am surprised that nobody has
mentioned calcium.
As I understand it there are many benefits in the application of calcium.
Strong plant cells give a greater resistance to disease and aid the plant in
withstanding heavy ware and extreme weather conditions.
Strong calcium levels in the soil are the foundation of a productive and
fertile growing environment, whilst strengthening the plant cell walls more
effectively than any other element.
I would be interested in your views.
1 Week ago
by Ken
Barber
I love it when people with
narrow minds stand on there little private soapbox in comfort of their home or
office and criticise people with open minds ! People like Paul, who has the courage to write about
something he have learnt through personal experience or research and who is
passionate about what the believes in.
Ped ro..... Only 18Okg/N/ha? No wonder you have a nematode problems....
I reckon your producing that grass factory just to keep up with the little fellows appetites!
I like so many others am not supported or paid by any of the companies you
speak of. There is a growing number of people who have used compost teas,
organic sources of nutrient or bio-stimulants, who are getting very good
results, while saving money on pesticides, nutrient input in the process
....... And there is plenty of evidence to support the theories Paul speaks of.
Like Has2mow said "As for the independent trials. the
best you can get is your own."
I am a greenkeeper who over the past 40 years has
always looked outside of the box. Always looking for
something different, something that will produce more healthy/consistant growth. I am not saying that I apply
every new concoction or magic potion brought onto the market, far from it, but
I have always had an open mind. As an avid compost tea user, In
the last 3 years have have a witnessed a dramatic
change in the health and quality of my greens and how they have naturally
changed from predominantly Poa annua
to perennial bent/fescue. Yes I have been over-seeding as well, but I always
did that and saw little evidence of sward species change. Why now? because I have built a more diverse population of
fungi/bacteria, instead of predominantly bacteria. Which has naturally created a environment that the perennial grasses can flourish in.
Mike speaks of cultural practices and the importance of such practices and how
they stimulate growth. RIGHT ON THE BUTTOM MATE! ..... But why and effect do
cultural practices have? Did it not occur to you the all that aeration has
created a more suitable environment for the soil biology to proliferate? How
lucky you are to have such natural resources as seaweed on your doorstep.
I'll not waffle on any longer ...... Since I have
probably upset enough people who like to sit on the fence and get a sore bum,
whilst the like of Paul tries to stimulate a little interest.
Funny thing ...... I noticed that greg attended all the seminars related to soil
biology that I was at. We all know he is a sceptic,
but still I don't think it would take much to tip him off the fence onto the
side Paul speaks of...... Especially if he was to have his budget slashed and
couldn't spend all those 1000's of pounds to bury his greens in sand!
Good talks from both Andy and paul....
well done!
Go get Paul!
KB
The true meaning of life is to
plant trees, under who’s shade you do not expect to
sit.
1 Week ago
by Mike
Last edited 1 Week ago
KB - all that aeration that you
speak of is the reason that I invested pretty much my total annual budget in
additional aeration equipment - that was a deliberate move to help nature along
the way - rather than waste money on repeatedly applying any type of products,
I went the other way and have given cultural practices their chance... i'm not disappointed. Given the nature of our soil texture,
the 'little fella's' needed a helping hand. We went
from solid spiking twice per year and little else, to carrying out surface
aeration fortnightly, with deep slicing on a monthly basis, frequent light
harrowing etc - thatch levels are decreasing before my eyes, infiltration rates
have improved markedly and overall turf quality is much improved against this
time last year. Now consider that the only product I apply to my outfields
(aside from one pitch which is my trial pitch) is a once yearly selective
herbicide, no fertilisers of any sort, no fungicides,
no insecticides, nothing. Then consider the stressful environment, particularly
with the salt issues, and the answer presents itself to you.
I would add that i'm currently trying to source
suitable milling plant to help me along with processing the seaweed that we are
able to source.
1 Week ago
by Ken
Barber Last edited 1 Week ago
Good on ya
Mark!
With a regular program of cultural practices, especially aeration, the results
you speak of are typical of what I would expect. I am assuming your pitches are
built on natural soils, which gives the soil biology a natural base in which to
thrive ...... It is so much harder to achieve this
when a predominance of your root-zone is a inert
material like sand.
I would also expect that you do not require little or no pesticide or fungicide
input, since the soil biology will be so much more diverse. Nematode problems
for example, are less likely to occur since they are kept in check by the
predatory nematodes that thrive in a healthy ecosystem. as
well as disease pathogens will be competing for space and food source because
of that natural soil biology.
But hey...... these are just assumptions!
KB
The true meaning of life is to
plant trees, under who’s shade you do not expect to
sit.
1 Week ago
by Mike
75% of our playing fields at
the main site might as well be pure sand, Ken, and it is hard to keep it going
with the levels of use and reliance on cultural's
alone in those areas, but i'm confident i'll get there with some tinkering here and there (maybe
with some gypsum to help with the salinity, but we'll see on that one at a
later date). The other 25% of our playing fields are a lovely organic textured
soil, and is sheltered from the coastal winds... completely different ball
game... I can't keep on top of the cutting in that area!!
I have only been on this programme since the middle
of last summer, so the results of getting the best out of a spring programme when the soil life is getting into full swing
will hopefully bring marked results, and that without a single penny spent on
any products to get the grass going!
I'm all for what Paul says above, but one thing that I would say is that before
'buying natural', try natural, and by that I mean perfect the cultural's before buying anything, be it synthetic or
organic.
1 Week ago
by Ken
Barber
Totally agree mike. I have been
a cultural's fan for decades and used inorganic ferts for a similar time. But using inorganic's
during that period always had problems with disease incidence or pest problems.
I can recall a period when I was working on a heathland
course for around 5 years and I was lucky to have dear old Jim Arthur as my
agronomist. (1983-1988) I followed his recommendations to
aerate regularly and use organic ferts. I
implemented a cultural program of aerating every Monday morning with a Sissis multi-slit, with 8" inch knives. Only thing
that stop the program was when it was too wet, frosted or under snow (sunny
I learnt a lot during that period, and went from there the East Sussex National
and had a budget that would blow your mind. I learnt even more when managing
that course, especially at
That's what makes this industry so rewarding!
Get off the fence boy's and think outside the box!
KB
The true meaning of life is to
plant trees, under who’s shade you do not expect to
sit.
7 Days ago
by gregevans
Good morning all. Especially to my old mate (who I have yet to meet) Ken.
Travelling back from
For anybody who is interested the following post was put on facebook
and I read it this morning about microbes.
http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/HomeHort/F1Column/2005%20Articles/NOV6.htm
The thing I can't get my head round is when all the
bio boys talk about the great Jim Arthur and converting poa
greens to fescue and bent. Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't Jim big on sulphate of ammonia and iron? Hardly the
compost tea route.
Regards
Greg
7 Days ago
by Ken
Barber
Hi Greg, You were sitting
almost on my lap during Pauls talk! ...... well almost tuching knees! lol
I nearly introduced myself but decided agaibnst it in
case I was on your hit list!
Yes, Jim was a fan of the sulphates and yes too much
will have a negative effect on soil biology with all that salt. But it doesn't
stop many of us from using them in small amounts. In fact I have applied to
apps of iron sulphate this winter to help harden the
plant during this unusually mild winter. If you look on the Symbio
website at some of the fertilisers, some contain
small portions on iron and ammonium sulphate. Again,
little harm will occur to soil biology if it is used as an occasional
application in small propotions.
KB
The true meaning of life is to
plant trees, under who’s shade you do not expect to
sit.
7 Days ago
by gregevans
Ken, why did you not introduce
yourself? We may not agree but it would be good to meet face to face.
I think the big question is how much sulphate of
ammonia/iron is too much? No one can come up with that answer. Again a lot of theories but no concrete evidence.
The point I make out of all this is that some points are being made without a
balanced view. Bacteria for annuals and fungi for perennials is one such area.
Every talk I go to they say poa annua
= bacteria and fungi = fescue/bent. What about perennial poa?
The way its portrayed is if you have poa you have a soil full of bacteria, but what seems to be
true is if you have perennial poa you can have a
combination of both. Again I wish they would say that because the way its being portrayed is another negative for poa and its freaking the young guys out who have to manage poa based greens!
Regards
Greg
7 Days ago
by Ken
Barber Last edited 7 Days ago
Next time I will make the
effort.
My thoughts only here but..... Every site is site specific..... nothing new there, but if we first look at soil biology in
general, regardless of whether it is bacterial or fungal dominant.
If a soil has good biology i.e diverse, it is more
likely the plant will grow healthier since each part of the whole soil food web
inter reacts with each other, which in turn effects things like soil structure
with the cementing together of soil particles, creates air space for roots and
water to penetrate. Each plays a role in processing and converting nutrients
into available forms that the plant can take up. There is a continual chain
where each different life form becomes another meal and is passed through and
become available nutrient to the plant. Most activity is around the fine root
hairs, thus creating air space and food source to the plant. They compete for
space with disease pathogens in and around the plant and/or consume pathogen
spores, are antagonistic against pests in various ways. I could go on and
on...... Now imagine if you use high salt fertilisers,
soil biology won't live long. Same as if I was to give you salt water to drink
instead of fresh, you wouldn't last long. But if I was to give you a little
dose of salt water, you would soon get over it. Remember, soil life is dying
and multiply by the billions every second, so I may knock them back a little by
applying a light application of high salt fertiliser,
but they would soon bounce back. That is assuming I have maintained a healthy
environment for them to thrive. We re-apply soil biology because of the
pressures we place on our sports turf i.e. compaction, cutting height,
pesticides and fertilisers etc. Nobody is saying that
you don't apply any of these, but it will have a negative effect. I believe
there are some negatives in being too aggressive with thatch removal, such as
deep scarifying or Graden type machines, since it
will have a negative effect on the sensitive fungal mycelium that grows through
the thatch..... But that's just my take on it. I have found that reglar aeration is sufficient and the soil biology does the
rest.
I also believe that turf managers who have a thatch problem have it because
they have failed to maintain a healthy root-zone through a lack of cultural
practices such as aeration or they have over applied with their fertilisers or excessive irrigation. This sort of
management can only result in shallow roots, heavy thatch, limiting air
exchange, filtration rates and soil biology...... then the slide downhill is
inevitable..... I could go on but I imagine your eyes are starting to get
heavy!
Now back to the bacterial or fungal dominance theory and what it creates in
terms of sward species. We know there is strong evidence that bacterial
dominant soils suit annual plants and the more fungal dominant a soil becomes
the more suitable the environment becomes for perennial plants. Right at the
top of the fungal dominant scale would be plants like conifers. Many of us have
dug around established pine trees and exposed cottony white mycelium by the
shed load..... Fungi in a very visible form!
In answer to your question about perennial poa..... Which I know is all you care about since
that is what you are focusing on, which is fine by me! As Paul stated in his
speech, it will thrive better in a soil that has a portion of fungal activity.
I don't believe it has to be an exact percentage but somewhere between 30 - 50%
would see stronger plants in my mind.
Nobody is trying to scare the younger greenkeepers
about Poa and its management. I think it is more
about getting people to think outside the box.....Poa
greens are ok.... lord I've managed enough of them over the years. But Poa has its down sides especially Poa
annua since it needs high nutrient input, high water
requirements, seeds heavily, causing poor putting surfaces and susceptible to
anthracnose and fusarium. It is as expensive to
manage as creeping bentgrass.
Lets be clear here, it doesn't matter whether you are
maintaining perennial or annual poa, bent or
fescue..... they all need a specific soil biology in
order to maintain healthy environment.
I have followed my current road with compost teas etc. for over 3 years. I
decided this route because I had such a small budget and I could only make
small improvements year-on-year, but my greens were not improving at all. I was
spraying 8 fungicides per year and the poa was
thriving. I have always managed low thatch levels, but now my roots and deeper
my poa is getting out competed by the bents and
fescues and I average two fungicide applications per year.... Not only cost
effective but the greens are improving by the month.
I think I said enough.
KB
The true meaning of life is to
plant trees, under who’s shade you do not expect to
sit.
6 Days ago
by Tomas
Nilsson
Hello there gentlemen.
My name is Tomas and I'm one of the Swedes who hopes that your national fooball team looses big this summer in
Againt
(Not pehaps so likely but one can always hope)
We'll enough putting my head in the Lions mouth....or perhaps not?
Very nice site this and I must say the knowledge some of you guys display are
of high standards to say the least.
love this new(?) talk about soil biology. This is
after all what we have been trying to do for a very long time, but only with
mechanical practises. You aerated, checked pH, good
drains, and all of theese practical things but not
looking further than our noses.
Talking Swedish greenkeeping here.
A lot of mumbo-jumbo products have been out there that promise
that: If you buy this from us, your soil balance will be restored.
You guys have been using seaweed, compost, sugars for a looong
time.
We did, but got lost on the way.
For this I blame shifty salespersons. (like my self)
Coming to the club on their Tinker wagons selling tonics.
Do not agree on all what is said here but most.
The people that I bevilve are in forefront on
products are not Farmers. To much potassium chloride
and other cheap fertilisers. But in
greenhouses. Thouse guys are in general very
good and need to manage on an higher level.
We have developed a lot of products for them that are now doing a very good job
in the golf industry.
And mr Church! Agree to
this. Calcium!!! More calcium to the people.
Most of our lab tests when people got problems are due to low calcium readings.
Important here to use the right way of testing!
The notion that we get 90%poagreens because of eccesive fungicide use are a mind opener. I do not
know if this is the whole picture but I will follow you guys and learn:)
Have a good one:)
Tomas
6 Days ago
by Ken
Barber
Welcome to Pitchcare
Thomas...... Hopefully, we will all continue to learn.
You will have to keep all those fingers and toes crossed to have any chance
against the LIons....... ROOOOOOar!
or is it Meow?
KB
The true meaning of life is to
plant trees, under who’s shade you do not expect to
sit.
6 Days ago
by Tomas
Nilsson
Thanks:)
Will put my nose where it do not belong as much as I
can here.
Have a nice weekend one and all.
Tomas