The compounds are soluble in water and are mobile throughout the rootzone making them readily bioavailable. This makes them very easy for plants and soil microorganisms to use. These ingredients in OXT can provide plants with nitrogen for growth and help soil microorganisms grow, especially through a process called anaerobic respiration.Plants and soil microorganisms can detect and regulate the use of nitrate for growth through intricate pathways. Also, some soil microbes can use nitrate as an endpoint for energy exchange in anaerobic respiration when there’s no oxygen. In both situations, the oxygen molecules are moved around to gather energy from respiration until they eventually react with hydrogen or other organic matter.

When the soil is no longer anaerobic and a natural balance is restored, the bacteria causing Black Layer will be inhibited. Many beneficial soil microbes responsible for turnover of organic and inorganic soil nutrients require oxygen for growth. The oxygen released by TourTurf® Thatch-Less® OXT Oxygen Turf will stimulate these processes. If you are using TourTurf® Thatch-Less® ETD and TourTurf® Thatch-Less® FTD to mineralise thatch, then you can increase the efficiency of this process by adding TourTurf® Thatch-Less® OXT Oxygen Turf to the mixture.

The oxygen in TourTurf® Thatch-Less® OXT Oxygen Turf is chemically bound to different forms of nitrate-N (NO3). You can reduce the input of other nitrogen fertilisers in order not to over apply nitrogen during the growing season.

Benefits:

• Available oxygen in the rootzone
• Less anaerobic bacteria
• Less Black Layer
• Better turf vitality
• Better root growth
• Promotes beneficial soil microbes
• Enhances the soil microbes in ETD and FTD that can reduce thatch
• Contains a penetrant to reach the Black Layer

TourTurf® Thatch-Less® OXT Oxygen Turf is a specialty fertiliser combining 22 % nitrogen (N) and 7 % calcium (CaO) with an oxygen release technology. The product is designed to give a rapid release of oxygen to anaerobic rootzones and help alleviate Black Layer causing root and turf decline.

The fast supply of oxygen gives turf managers a tool which will help alleviate the problems associated with Black Layer. Rootzones with high organic matter, compaction, layering and waterlogging can result in low or zero soil gas exchange and hence completely anaerobic conditions.

If sulphur and iron content is high, anaerobic sulphur-reducing bacteria can generate hydrogen sulphide (H2S) during anaerobic respiration. Black Layer in the soil profile will be visible as black organic sulphides accompanied by the characteristic H2S smell of rotten eggs. H2S is toxic and if concentrations are high enough you might observe a decline in turf colour and growth

In combination with aerification, water management, improving drainage and optimisation of fertilisation TourTurf® Thatch-Less® OXT Oxygen Turf will supply the extra oxygen you need to overcome anaerobic conditions.

Read about how to control organic matter and thatch on Turf Corner.

Ponds, Lakes & Aquaculture
TourTurf® Thatch-Less® OXT Oxygen Turf improves dissolved oxygen levels and reduces sludge build up in ponds, lakes and in fish farming. Prevents stagnation and eutrophiction and enhances biological treatments (TourTurf® Pond Relief) for algae and blanketweed control.