SOIL AMENDMENTS TO BE STUDIED
If you have been in the sod business very long, you have probably been approached by a salesman touting his product that contains microbes and nutrients that he claims will improve your grass’s performance. Do they work? Some producers say some do and use them regularly.
Finding independent research dealing with these products is difficult. Some manufacturers are reluctant to enter their products in trials comparing their product to others along with traditional nutrient sources. Others are willing but have not had the opportunity.
In order to develop some valid data about these products, the TPT Board has decided to fund a research project that will be conducted by Texas A&M University researchers. James Grichar, with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, and Roger Havlak, with Texas Cooperative Extension, will be the principle investigators.
They plan to conduct at least two tests this year. One will be in Wharton or Matagorda Counties and the other will be on a sandier soil in the San Antonio area. Their plan calls for the test to include two or three species of turfgrass.
Grichar and Havlak plan to apply the materials about 3-4 weeks after harvesting. They will compare one application with two. Regrowth will be observed throughout the year. In addition to visual ratings, they plan to take digital pictures of each plot. They will then use a computer program that will determine the percentage of ground cover in each plot.
The TPT Board has allocated $4975 for the study. These funds were proceeds from the auction at the annual conference.