Preconditioning Your Turf Prior to Stress

It’s never too early to prepare for the onslaught of turf stress. We are all aware of the typical stresses that accompany growing manicured turfgrass: heat, humidity, excessive rainfall, drought conditions, mechanical stress, and foot traffic—to name a few.

Some products will specifically aid in several of these stressful situations. It’s critical to get these into the plant and actively working before the onset of environmental stresses. 

• Seaweed extracts (Bio Sea) work well to enhance the growth of new roots and shoots, increase photosynthesis, and delay chlorophyll degradation. 
• Amino acids (Foundation Forty) increase nitrogen fixation, chlorophyll production, and carbon fixation. They affect the plant’s energy and allow it to build energy reserves. 
• Humic acid products (Armament Concentrate) increase nutrient uptake and allow tied-up nutrients in the soil to become available to the plant. 
• Potassium (Armament K) controls the movement of carbohydrates and water in the plant and is vital to protein synthesis.
• Another key tool in the shed is phosphites (Gold Standard 45) which work with amino acids to aid in maintaining turgor pressure and enhance the systemic acquired resistance response in plants.
• Silica products (CSi L) increase plant turgidity and result in more upright growth, smoother surfaces, and better wear tolerance.

Wetting agents are another tool to aid in the reduction of stress by assisting in water management. There are wetting agents to move water through the soil profile (Command) and others that aid in maintaining adequate soil moisture (Matador). In addition, there are wetting agents that combine both penetration and hydration agents (BioWet). 

There are also several mechanical methods to reduce turf stress:

• Needle or solid tine the turf to increase air exchange
• Reduce cutting by one or two days a week and roll instead
• Switch to solid rollers
• Eliminate cleanup cuts a few days a week
• Make sure mowers are adjusted and cutting properly
• Syringe the turf to reduce heat and moisture stress.

As you can see, there are many moving parts in reducing turf stress. It is a combination of many factors that all play a role when used in conjunction with one another. An Advanced Turf Solutions sales representative can assist you with any questions or concerns regarding products and services. 

Mike Susshine
Sales Representative