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: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/506886
A s an industry, we are expected to deliver outstanding turf quality and resilience in all types of weather. Over the years, there has been improvement in many of our traditional products such as seed, fertilizer and pest management tools. Yet, we at times still struggle with the same turf related problems. We often ask, "Is there an alter- native way to manage some of these same turf stress and disease problems?" The answer is yes; there are biological tools that add new dimensions to managing these same old problems. And, it all begins in the soil. Over the past 25 years, there have been huge strides in the development of biological products that offer new sustainable methods to solve every day turf problems. We can continue to rely on traditional methods that tax our natural and financial resources or, we can integrate some of these new biological approaches that provide differences: A more natural nutrient management approach that reduces our annual usage rates while enhancing plant resilience and quality. Products that complement Mother Nature's approach to plant health, which are built on more cost effective sustainable methods. A water and nutrient conservation program that squeezes more efficiency from fewer resources and offers budgetary savings. In short, there are new biological products that can play a key role in managing high quality turf while reducing water and nutrient usage. These biological products will deliver the agronomic, economic and environmental benefits that exceed budgetary expectations. These budgetary savings help to stretch your water, fertilizer and pest control dollars. These biological products are much more than a fertilizer. These natural and organic products will influence the physical and biological make up of the soil and the turf. As we move forward into the 21st century, we need to explore ways to develop more sustainable approaches to nutri- ent and water management. With an increase in turf quality expectations, we need to consider alternative methods that provide for the sustainable future of our industry. This includes the integration of more efficient delivery methods that are bio- logically based. These biological methods are safe, effective and sustainable long into the future generations. 30 SportsTurf | May 2015 www.sportsturfonline.com BUILDING QUALITY TURF STARTS WITH HEALTHY SOIL FIELD SCIENCE Editor's note: This article was written by Len Conley, the owner of The Sanctuary Products. Conley has nearly 40 years of experience in all aspects of turfgrass management. He has provided agronomic consulting to many sports turf managers, lawn care companies, and golf course superintendents. ■ BY LEN CONLEY Microbe Protein Ofal TDN