SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/126035
exchange and oxygenation of the soil. Without these characteristics native soil rootzones have the potential to develop compaction which leads to nutrient binding, uneven moisture availability and restricted root penetration. When these issues plague native rootzones the system becomes over wet with lower wear tolerance. Compaction in the rootzone reduces the ability for the roots to grow freely slowing the nutrient release potential due to the physical properties and chemistry of the soil. This is when it becomes critical to support the soil biomass, as a more active microbial population improves soil flocculation. IMPROVING ROOTZONES When rootzones are unhealthy it can lead to increased plant stress, reduced plant growth rate, thicker thatch layers, localized dry spot, algae buildup, increased weed pressure and unstable footing for athletes. So, what is the best way to meet these challenges without breaking your back and your budget? Historically turf managers have employed mechanical and chemical means of improving rootzone health. These include chemical www.stma.org and mechanical thatch removal, oxygenation by aeration (various sizes and depths), mechanical drainage improvement, and other various soil remediation techniques. While each of these enhancements works and provides the means necessary to address these issues, playing schedules, calendars and event schedules prohibit the frequency and tolerances for these practices to be done on regular intervals. A true biostimulant provides a food source for the existing soil biomass, accelerating the natural growth of the microbial population. As proven in the university research, the organic humic substance also solubalizes and transports nutrients to the plant. Virginia Tech examined APEX-10's effectiveness in rootzone development on sports turf to improve playability and stable footing when limiting factors are present. It was found to increase the soil's ability for both the physical and chemical bonds of nutrients and water, allowing for more water and nutrient retention. Applying an organic humic substance with a high fulvic acid ratio per unit early in the season reduces the effect of the limiting factors in the rootzones and prepares turf for heat and summer stress. A second Virginia Tech University study showed that APEX-10's greater antioxidant activity improving photochemical efficiency, enabling sustained root growth and leaf function during drought conditions. Furthermore, APEX-10 improves the recuperative capacity of turfgrasses following heavy play and traffic by providing consistent nutrient and water availability to the plant as found in a series of fertilizer and irrigation reduction studies by Rutgers University. The organic humic substance improves safety for the athlete by naturally degrading the thatch layer over time without creating spikes in growth due to excessive nutrient release. Chris Walsh, turf manager of the Akron Aeros, said, "We applied APEX-10 for the first time to our Kentucky blue/ryegrass minor league field after a considerable stressful stretch of games in August. We aerated, overseeded with rye grass and applied APEX10. Within 7 days the turf had recovered and was looking and playing great just in time for our 2012 playoff run." n SportsTurf 29