TECHNICAL


We have to get best value for our employer, not to mention our responsibility to manage sports surfaces in a sustainable and


environmentally sensitive way


shown to increase with maturation of the plant, possibly as it selects for specific beneficial organisms at various stages of its life cycle. Different plants have been shown to select for a core range of organisms within the rhizosphere through exudate deposition. These organisms can form a protective layer around the root system known as a biofilm. In doing so, groups of organisms act on mass to protect the plant from pathogen attack and confer various other unique benefits.


Plants can both enhance microbial function through secretion of specific exudates or increase the number of beneficial microbes to perform a specific function. Some microbes promote plant systemic response to abiotic stresses and allow the plant to better tolerate drought or heat stress. Others directly boost the plant’s own immunity against attack from pathogens or act directly on the pathogen to the benefit of the plant. The array of molecules, including naturally occurring antibiotics, produced by some Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) to combat soil borne


pathogens is staggering! This is before you even consider the interplay of plant roots, Mycorrhizal Fungi and the myriad of other plant-soil interactions known and unknown. This is an important and exciting area of research and one that is increasingly relevant in our industry. Already we have lost the use of several pesticides, it seems we will face increasing legislative and public pressure on our use of resources, as well as the quantity and type of inputs. Additionally, we will increasingly have to consider how we interact with, and impact upon the environment. We need to demonstrate that we are a force for good. Key to this is understanding how the soil works. How its


existing function could be utilised, even encouraged, to improve pitch performance and playability, this is critical if we are to meet these challenges head on. Clearly there is much that nature and evolution has put in place a long time before sports turf managers came along. In an undisturbed grassland, the natural ecosystem may maintain equilibrium that requires no outside interference or supplementation. Of course, an undisturbed natural grassland is unlikely to be robust enough for sport or offer adequate playing surface performance or quality. In many sports turf situations, soils may be compacted through play or maintenance


Mycorrhizal Fungi


Deep tine aeration PC June/July 2020 127


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