Mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial soil fungi enhancing root growth and the condition of turfgrass. They reduce the risk for infection with pathogenic fungi as well as parasitical nematodes. Mycorrhizal fungi also contribute to enhancing the soil structure.Beneficial bacteria will take up space and nutrients in the soil making it more difficult for unwanted pathogens to establish. They also stimulate root development.If possible, apply turfgrass specific mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial bacteria directly after aeration.

AFBI Trial Results:
In extensive scientific greenhouse trials carried out at AFBI, the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute in Belfast we have been able to show, how we can use the material to effectively prevent stress on turfgrass plants.From the trial work at AFBI we know that it is possible to minimize the effect of abiotic stress by up to 60 % compared to untreated plants.

TourTurf® Myco Plant & Turf Activator helps to ensure that the natural biology of the soil is maintained or renewed by increasing the number of beneficial fungi and microorganisms in the root zone. The mycorrhizal fungi will benefit many plant species by aiding and supporting the plant’s own defence mechanisms, making it much more stress resistant.

Mycorrhiza:
Mycorrhizal fungi live on, around or within plant roots in a symbiotic relationship.Vesicular Arbuscular Endomycorrhizae forming fungi (VAM) belong to the species of Glomeromycota. The application of this type of mycorrhiza fungi to turf is most successfully used during establishment of new greens or during the aerification process to inoculate the target rootzone with new beneficial mycorrhiza.

Including mycorrhiza in turfgrass management will result in the following benefits:

• Higher grass root growth rates
• Increased ability for the turf plant to absorb water
• Improved soil nutrient availability to the grass plant
• Greater nutrient uptake and use efficiency within plant
• Improved porosity and drainage of soil

Very likely, you will observe:

• Increased drought resistance
• Stronger plants with greater resistance against stress
• Better recovery from previous damage by root pathogenic fungi and parasitic nematodes

Read more about Mycorrhiza in our article on Turf Corner.

Seaweed:
Contains carbohydrates, amino acids, plant hormones, micronutrients and proteins.

• Significantly increases grass growth
• Improves root growth
• Improves grass colour
• Improves stress tolerance levels
• Improves NUE (Nutrient Use Efficiency)

Microorganism package:
The added natural soil microorganisms, include several common bacteria and fungal species that have critical functions in maintaining optimum soil health. The blended consortia of specific microbes each play individual roles in the establishment of a healthy soil microflora.

The Microorganism package has many benefits for turfgrass:

• More readily available plant nutrients through increased organic matter solubilisation
• Greater plant resilience
• Improved soil structure and porosity
• Improved nutrient use efficiency (NUE)
• Healthier looking turfgrass plants
• Healthier soil with improved performance

Read more about the multiple advantages of microbes to turf, in our article on Turf Corner.

Carbohydrates:
Carbohydrates serve as energy source for the soil microorganisms in order to increase microbial activity.

Carbon:
About 50% of a plant is made up of carbon, mostly synthesised from CO2 during photosynthesis. Carbon is the basis for all building blocks of life and essential for healthy soils. Increases the cation exchange capacity (CEC).

• Optimizes soil pH and salinity
• Improves water holding capacity
• Prevents nutrient leaching
• Improves soil structure for better air and water movement
• Higher microbial activity and soil biodiversity
• Makes nutrients more available
• Improved rooting for healthier, stronger plants
• Accelerates seed germination

Amino acids:
Amino acids are the building blocks for plant proteins. The plant will combine amino acids to form peptide chains and later complex proteins. All the processes in the plant like tissue development, growth, recovery from injury and self-defence require proteins. The turf plant can synthesise all the needed amino acids from the mineral nutrients it takes in. But the plant can absorb amino acids through the roots as well, saving the energy to produce them itself, especially in times of plant stress. Over time, microorganisms in the rootzone will break down amino acids into their components, making nutrients readily plant available.

TourTurf® MPT Mycorrhizae Plant & Turf Activator help to ensure that the natural biology of the soil is maintained or renewed by increasing the amount of beneficial fungi and microorganisms in the root zone. The mycorrhizal fungi will benefit the vast majority of plant species by, amongst other things, aiding and supporting the plant’s own mechanisms, which prevents many types of disease outbreaks and nematode suppression.The product is a unique and sustainable blend of organic nutrients, seaweed and a full broad-spectrum package of mycorrhizal fungi and the microorganism species Bacillus. In addition, the product contains natural seaweed plant hormones that optimise many of the physiological processes in plants, such as the formation of strong roots. All of the ingredients have been approved for use in organic agriculture.

In extensive scientific greenhouse trials carried out at AFBI, the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute in Belfast we have been able to show, how we can use the material to effectively reduce Dollar spot and Fusarium patch on turf grass plants. We expect also good prevention on Antrachnose.

From the trial work at AFBI we know that even in a high disease pressure situation it is possible to minimize and reduce disease with up to 60 % compared to untreated plants.