FSM


Turf Management


Latest Turfgrass Research Reveals Five Findings For Perfecting Pitch Grow-Ins


The successful grow-in of sand-based pitches requires a balanced approach to nutrition, moisture management, and plant growth regulation. New research findings published by Origin Amenity Solutions, the UK’s leading turf solutions provider, ahead of the renovation season aims to assist clubs in optimising the increasingly narrow closed season to produce healthy, resilient surfaces in readiness for the season ahead.


Extensive trials were conducted by research scientists at the company’s Turf Science and Technology Centre following observations from Grounds Managers during their renovations. As a result, Origin’s researchers have identified the most effective strategy for achieving rapid turf coverage, strong rooting, and uniform sward density, while maintaining controlled growth. The six-week grow-in programme combines granular fertilisers, liquid nutrition, biostimulants, wetting agents, and plant growth regulators to create optimal conditions for seedling development and maturity.There were five key findings:


Fertiliser Timing Improves Establishment


Research demonstrated that delaying fertiliser applications until seedling emergence delivered clear benefits during the grow-in phase. Trial plots where fertiliser was applied after emergence showed faster sward coverage, increased early shoot growth, and more consistent seedling establishment.


Applying


fertiliser too early can encourage nutrient loss within sand-based rootzones. Waiting until seedlings emerge allows young plants to use nutrients more efficiently.


Trials demonstrated


Liquid Nutrition Packs Deliver Superior Turf Performance that


Origin’s liquid packs optimised shoot growth, turf density,


nutrition sward


coverage and delivered stronger growth, when compared with competitor nutrition packs. The unique formulations consistently produced stronger and more uniform turf establishment, making them the preferred choice during the critical grow-in period.


Granular Wetting Agents Improve Water Efficiency


The use of granular wetting agents during grow-in significantly improves turf establishment, water


improved moisture uniformity across the rootzone reduced


conditions. and


surface overall tension sward allowing better


water infiltration, and enhanced water use efficiency. These benefits are particularly important for sand-based pitches where water moves rapidly through the profile.


20 FSM


particularly under limited Granular


applications coverage,


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