without oxygen. Every turf manager is familiar with black layer and the smell of hydrogen sulphide, the visible evidence of this process. However, before black layer becomes evident a lot of adverse changes happen in the rootzone. Many bacteria in the soil are
To advertise in this section contact Classifieds
Peter Britton on 01747 855335 email:
peter@pitchcare.com
similar to those in the guts of animals. In the absence of oxygen these bacteria use root exudates and thatch to produce small quantities of harmful organic acids, such as valeric acid )which gives you the burning sensation when you vomit), acetic acid or vinegar and buteric acid, which makes milk go sour. In some instances minute quantities of alcohol are also produced. This toxic layer often forms in
TOPDRESSING & LOAM
the waterlogged, dead soil created above the compacted iron bands a few inches below the surface. Roots cannot penetrate this toxic layer until either oxygen is introduced, to recreate aerobic conditions, or the soil dries out in spring and oxygen gets into the spaces between soil particles. Physical aeration, coring and topdressing creates a narrow channel for roots to penetrate but, by adding Liquid Aeration, oxygen is evenly distributed throughout the upper soil profile to prevent black layer and toxic acids from being formed
Nutrient retention and reduced fertiliser inputs
As well as rapidly eliminating problems such as black layer and sulphide formation, the product stimulates all the beneficial aerobic activity that occurs in the rootzone.
They form a physical defensive barrier around the root system, they competitively exclude pathogens by eating the pathogen or the nutrient on which they feed, and some even produce toxins to kill pathogens and provide the defence mechanisms against disease. All this activity requires oxygen.
Adding Inorganic Oxygen
produces top growth, but an equal amount of energy in the form of proteins and carbohydrates is leaked through the root systems to feed bacteria which multiply rapidly around the root. The bacteria eat these nutrients and, when they, in turn, are eaten by other organisms, ammonium is excreted into the soil. When added to foliar feeds the
product will enhance this effect in compacted rootzones, making small quantities of nutrient last much longer as you convert free energy into organic plant food. This improves the retention and effective uptake of any added organic and inorganic nutrients, as well as stimulating the soil bacteria and fungi that encourage healthy plant growth.
Soil, Oxygen and Disease
Common turf diseases attack weak plants when there are not enough natural biological defence mechanisms in place to offer protection. To further compound the problem, some pathogenic fungi such as Fusarium prefer low oxygen conditions, either because they no longer have competition from the beneficial microbes, or because they require anaerobic conditions for best growth. In both cases, anaerobic conditions select for and allow the disease-causing organisms to ‘win’ in the fight for plant tissues. In oxygenated soil, bacteria and fungi will recycle nutrient for healthy plant growth to produce strong plants less susceptible to disease. Bacteria and fungi also have three ways of protecting the grass against pathogen attack.
When grass photosynthesises it
The use of chemical compounds to supply an inorganic form of oxygen to soil is not new, traditionally these products have either been biocidal - effectively sterilising the rootzone - or been very high in nitrogen based nutrients. Liquid Aeration is neither biocidal, nor loaded with nutrients, so it may be tank mixed with almost all organic, biological or inorganic nutrients or additives. It should be noted that physical aeration is very important, especially if hollow coring is required to break though soil pans or clay to permit drainage. For nearly all greens Liquid Aeration will provide the benefits of evenly distributed oxygen throughout the year whilst reducing the costs, disruption and loss of play associated with conventional aeration.
Case Study
Liquid Aeration was applied at the rate of 1 litre per hectare diluted with water at 1:400 to a selection of greens.
a control. All greens were managed in the same way apart from the addition of the product. Results
Other greens were untreated as
Green Construction - Ten year old 70:30 rootzone in north east Scotland Problem - The greens had a thatch layer of about 3cm that would not degrade in spite of aeration with various solid tines every two - three weeks. Black layer formed about 3cm below the thatch layer which was also anaerobic. Roots would not penetrate the black layer. The soil was also black and compacted with no viable microbial activity. Solution - On 17th October 2008
Top quality dressings
Kaloam & Ongar Loam • Fertilisers Specialist grass seeds, machinery & tools
Contact: Andy Hodges - Tel:01202 537777
sales@roffey.ltd.uk
www.pitchcare.com TURF SUPPLIERS
Contact: Alan Ford - Tel:0870 242 1090
Alan.ford@
monrogoundrey.co.uk www.monrogoundrey.co.uk Contact: Philip Furner - Tel:01277 890246
sales@binderloams.co.uk www.binderloams.co.uk
“For landscaping, for sports, for amenity ...”
Growers of natural & rootzone sports turf using the very best STRI cultivars
Tel: 01724 855000 Fax: 01724 282777
email:
andyfraser@countyturf.co.uk www.countyturf.co.uk
GROWERS OF QUALITY TURF Telephone:
www.qlawns.co.uk Email:
01842 828266 Website:
sales@qlawns.co.uk
• Sports Pitch Construction • Earthworks • Maintenance • Drainage & Irrigation • Custom Grown Turf
• Install n Playball Turf Tiles 01400 251605
www.fine-turf.co.uk info@fine-turf.co.uk
Specialist growers of turf for sport and amenity
Winter sports Football and rugby
70% Ryegrass 30% Smoothstalk Standard thickness up to 50mm Golf
Greens, tees, fairways, bunkers ••••••
Specialists in 1.2m wide big roll - supply only or supply and lay
• Four days after application, the greens ‘greened up’ as nutrient became available
• After six days the black layer had disappeared
• The thatch layer degraded rapidly showing layered applications of topdressing
• The rootzone became friable allowing roots to grow
For further information contact Martin Ward or David Ward at Symbio. Tel: 01428 685762 Email:
martin@symbio.co.uk
Specialist growers of sportsturf with a wide range of grades, rootzones, thick and fibre reinforced turf
Tel: 01904 448675
sales@turf.co.uk
www.turf.co.uk
Tel: 01652 678 000
www.tillersturf.co.uk
To subscribe to Pitchcare magazine log on to
www.pitchcare.com or telephone 01902 440 252
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