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Landscape and Turf Maintenance By Bruce Carmichael Bionutrition and its Role in Modern Fertility Programs T here is still a lot that scientists, the academic community and turf managers don’t understand about microorgan- isms and their interaction with soil and turf. But a num- ber of respected members of those groups are convinced of one thing: bionutrition is now an accepted — and proven — form of fertility. “They’re misunderstood and “We’ve come a long way from where we were in our belief process. And we’re just on the edge of what we might be doing five to 10 years from now.” — Dr. Roch Gaussoin often misrepresented by both the ac- ademic community and the indus- try,” Dr. Roch Gaussoin, professor of agronomy and horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said of the microorganisms that make up the emerging category of bionutri- tion, or, as some prefer, biofertility. In its simplest form, bionutrition is the enhancement of beneficial mi- croorganisms in the soil to facilitate nutrient availability and uptake. Ex- actly how that process works through the many different forms of microbial activity has mystified even those who have devoted their ca- reers to plant science. “It’s an extremely complex and intricate system that is not widely understood,” said Gaussoin. “But re- cent studies are beginning to clarify and substantiate their importance in the soil ecosystem.” For example, Gaussoin conducted a study of LebanonTurf ’s GreenSmart Enhanced Efficiency Fertil- izer. “The data [from the study] clearly indicated an equivalent re- sponse with reduced rates of fertility,” said Gaussoin. “We found that we could put down 30 percent less nitrogen and get an equivalent response in terms of color quality and digital analysis.” Other scientists, whose research has opened up a broader dis- cussion of various forms of biofertility, also are becoming believ- ers. “Ten years ago, the mention of ‘mycorrhizal fungi’ to a turf manager might have been met with a blank stare,” said Dr. Mike Amaranthus, associate professor at Oregon State University (ad- junct) and the president of Mycorrhizal Applications, Inc, in Grants Pass, Oregon. “Today’s turf managers are much more knowledgeable regarding the benefits of mycorrhizae because re- search studies have shown us all how these specialized fungi can improve turf health.” Scientists cite benefits of biological products in three cate- 24 Landscape and Irrigation May/June 2011 gories: plant health, cost reduction and environmental sustainabil- ity. Biological products promote thatch decomposition, root growth, nutrient uptake, and turf quality, as well as reduce nutrient loss through improved fertilizer efficiency. Faster grow-in rates, reduced application rates, and the ability to use lower analysis fertilizers can all contribute to reduced main- tenance costs when using biological products. Biofertility can also lead to improved quality of water runoff and a reduction in groundwater, lake, stream and ocean pollution. Biological products also have the potential to sequester carbon gases. “Grasses are great for building carbon in the soil, which has implications for global warming,” said Amaranthus. The true test for any product or technology, of course, comes from those who use it to solve real-world problems. Bernie Banas, superintendent at the Leatherstocking Golf Course in Cooper- stown, New York, has been using biological products on his 102- year-old course for 18 years. “This past year was probably the hottest, driest summer I’ve ever encountered, and these biologi- cals saved our cookies,” said Banas. “Our turf just thrived [last] sum- mer.” “Today’s turf managers are much more knowledgeable regarding the benefits of myc- orrhizae because research studies have shown us all how these specialized fungi can improve turf health.” — Dr. Mike Amaranthus According to Banas, he battled a tough case of anthracnose when he first came to the course that adjoins the venerable Otesaga Resort Hotel on the shores of Lake Otsego. “I haven’t seen any anthracnose in a long time,” he added. “This stuff works — it really does.” As they devote more attention to biologicals, scientists are discovering more reasons for their efficacy. “Most of these microbial soil amendments started out many years ago as individual organisms, or maybe just a couple of organisms that were cultured artificially and then put into a product,” said Dr. Robert Ames, senior staff scientist at Advanced Microbial Solutions in Pilot Point, Texas. “Many of the early products had very specific functions: enhancement of organic matter decomposition, for example. But as technologies evolved, prod- ucts with multiple microorganisms were introduced. Later, humic acids, www.landscapeirrigation.com