About Bio-fertilizer
What is a biological fertiliser?
In our terminology, a biological fertiliser is a fertiliser which contains carbohydrates (CH2O)n in addition to its content of inorganic nutrients. The fertiliser can also contain other organic nutrients, amino acids etc.
By virtue of its composition, BioGolf ® is a genuine biological fertiliser. A characteristic of BioGolf ® is that it not only provides the plants with nutrients, but with its content of carbohydrates it also nourishes the soil microlife. An important result of fertilising with BioGolf ® is very healthy plants.
The importance of the carbohydrates for the microlife
Independent research (Parent 1996) has shown that an active microbial flora means healthy plants, stable structures in the growth mass, reduced leaching of nutrients, and increased availability of a range of nutrients. Studies have also shown that micro-organisms – entirely naturally – produce antibiotics and vitamins which are actively absorbed by the plants.
There is thus all possible motivation to ensure that the microlife is given the best possible conditions. A simple and very efficient way of improving conditions for the microlife is to add carbohydrates, as a lack of available carbohydrates is the most limiting factor for the growth of soil micro-organisms (Parent 1996).
An active microlife
Apart from the above reasons, an active microlife is of major significance, as the micro-organisms contribute to the formation of stable soil aggregates via the discharge of polysaccharides. These are formed via adsorption of polysaccharides, which attach to clay particles. This is important on all greens, but the process is especially significant on sandy greens with low CEC (cation exchange capacity), as the leaching of nitrogen is reduced.
The polysaccharides
The polysaccharides form compounds with iron, aluminium, zinc and copper, and make them more available to the grass.
The micro-organisms also provide an invaluable service in breaking down organic material, which increases the breakdown of the felt layer. This breaking down (mineralisation) releases nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, iron and other substances for the benefit of the plants. With their content of carbohydrates, the BioGolf ® fertilisers favour an active microbial flora. In comparison with traditional inorganic and organic fertilisers, this makes it easy for the green keeper to reduce the application of a range or nutrients, including nitrogen. This gives BioGolf ® a strong environmental profile.
The direct importance of the carbohydrates for the grass
As will be evident from the above discussion, easily available carbohydrates are of major importance for the soil microlife, but the grasses also benefit directly from the application of carbohydrates – sucrose – which are available to them, as these can be absorbed to a minor extent directly by the leaves (Parent 1996).
A carbohydrate store in the plant is important throughout the entire growth season, as carbohydrates act as a direct source of energy in regrowth if/when the grass is exposed to injury, disease, stress and wear. The plants carbohydrate content is also an extremely important factor in the grasss ability to survive the winter (Beard 1973).
Conclusion:
The application of carbohydrates promotes:
- A better soil structure
- A higher CEC (cation exchange capacity)
- An increased availability of a range of nutrients
- An increased breakdown of the felt layer
While:
- The grasses regenerate faster after injury, disease, stress and wear
- The grasses become healthier
- The grasses winter hardiness is increased
- The grasses are in better condition in spring.
As will be evident from the above, the BioGolf ® fertilisers represent unique opportunities for providing nutrients to both plants and micro-organisms, and we can therefore confidently say that
BioGolf ® is a fertiliser concept in harmony with nature
