Foliar Nutrition of Turfgrass

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Foliar Nutritionof Turfgrass
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Traditionally

• Golf course superintendents have used soil
  testing as a guide to balancing the basic
  nutrients on the soil colloids with various types
  of root absorbed fertilizers thus providing a
  good environment for plant growth.

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However

• While management of the soil or root zone mix
  addresses the health of the soil it does not
  address what nutrients the plants are actually
  taking up--nor the ratio present in the plants
  for needed photosynthesis and other metabolic
  functions.

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New Management Trend

• A new management trend takes care of the plant
  as a separate program from the soil. This
  requires tissue testing to look at both the
  amount and the ratios of nutrients present in the
  plant tissue.

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Foliar Feeding

• Foliar feeding provides the tool to balance
  both the amount and the ratios of nutrients
  present in the plant by the addition of those
  nutrients that are needed. This provides optimum
  plant health.

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Agronomic Law of Minimum

• 13 essential elements besides C, H, O2 are
  required-- each one at optimum levels for
  optimum growth and health
• Growth and health will be limited by the lowest
  optimum level present (example)
• No element may substitute for any other
• Roots at times and under certain conditions are
  limited in their uptake of nutrients

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Basic Concept

• Non-Root parts of plants will take up
  nutrients.
• Some types of fertilizers applied to the leaves
  of plants can be absorbed quickly and
  plentifully.
• Studies on foliar absorption of fertilizer both
  macro and micro-nutrients have been investigated
  by many workers for over 40 years.

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Basic Concept

• Foliar applications of micro-nutrients have been
  very successful over a long period.
• Foliar absorbed nutrients are immediately
  available to the plant.

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Nutritional Foliar Sprays

• In general, the utilization level of foliar
  fertilization is about 85-90, whereas the
  common soil fertilization amounts to 10-30, or
  rarely to 50.
• Gupta and Cutchliffe (1978)
• (Canadian Plant Science)

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What is Foliar Nutrition?

• Fertigation?---Not really
• Spoon feeding with dissolved soluble
  fertilizer?---Not always
• Fertilizer nutrients must be Fully absorbed to be
  a true foliar

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Why Foliar Feed Turfgrasses?

• More control with less risk
• Lower overall nutrient inputs
• Enhanced Chlorophyll production which increases
  carbohydrate production
• Less nutrient leaching past the root system
• Less potential for groundwater contamination

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Why Foliar Feed Turfgrasses?

• continued
• Better response with a poor root system
• Better response without optimum soil pH
• Good results with plants under stress
• Very best spoon feeding program for turf

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Why Foliar Feed Turfgrasses?

• When are adequate nutrient supplies not
  available from the roots?
• Closely mowed turf
• Unfavorable temperatures for root development.
  (Hot and Cold)
• Loss of root system following spring root decline
  of warm season turfgrasses.

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Why Foliar Feed Turfgrasses?

• When are adequate nutrient supplies not available
  from the roots
• During periods of tissue hardening prior to the
  onset of environmental stress
• Overseeded cool season turf, which have limited
  root systems in bermudagrass
• CEC limited rootzones (Sand)

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Spoon Feeding Turfgrass

• The amounts of material applied are so low that
  application in the dry form would not be
  possible.
• Spoon feeding is more flexible and can be
  adjusted to meet exactly the needs of the turf
  area being treated. (Soil and Tissue tests)
• Application usually every 7 to 14 days.

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Mobility Factors

• Factors that alter the extent of absorption
  into the plant and translocation throughout the
  plant
• Surface active agents are effective in increasing
  absorption.
• Drying time on the leaf is directly related to
  adsorption.
• Complexing and Chelating agents are effective in
  promoting both absorption and translocation
  within the plant.

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Forms Of Foliars

• Inorganic forms -- tie up the fastest since they
  have no facilitators to help them translocate in
  the plant.
• Complexes -- are better than the inorganic forms.
  
  
• Chelates -- will be taken up better, translocate
  better, and be protected from adsorption and thus
  precipitating within the plant.

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What makes a good foliar?

• All organic and inorganic compounds vary in their
  efficacy of foliar absorption.
• Absorption is only one aspect of a useful foliar
  fertilizer. In addition, the absorbed nutrient
  must be translocated throughout the plant.
• Phytotoxicity can be a concern with some
  compounds, especially the inorganic compounds.

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Summary

• Humic materials have the capacity of binding
  substantial amounts of metals and other cations,
  and they can therefore exert considerable control
  over the supply and availability of nutrient
  elements to plants and in soils and water.

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Complex

• When a metal ion combines with an electron
  donor, the resulting substance is said to be a
  complex or a coordination compound.
• (CH3)-N-COO-metal

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Chelate

• The main difference between a metal complex and
  a chelate is that in the chelate, the donor atoms
  are attached not only to the metal but also to
  each other.

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Amino Acid Chelate

• Stronger Bond

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Why Use StrongChelated Products?

• Compatibility and stability mixing with other
  nutrients and products
• Protects nutrient from falling out
  (precipitating) and assists in plant uptake and
  translocation

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Synthetic Chelating Agents

• Synthetic chelates are used extensively in turf
  products
• EDTA
• HEDTA
• EGTA
• They are very popular and effective only when
  used in the soil. They only chelate the metals.
  However, they are not biodegradable and may
  remain as a residue in the plant tissue or soil.

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Organic Agents

• Organic products used as complexing and
  chelating agents
• humic acids
• fulvic acids
• ligno sulfonates
• derivatives from the wood pulp industry
• hydrolyzed protein mixes
• Citric acid
• amino acids
• Some generally have low stability constants
  mixing with phosphate may result in a
  phosphate-metal reaction (precipitate)

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Organic Chelating Agents
Advantage over non-organic

• Products that contain a high organic
  concentration and when added to the soil or the
  plant are degradable in the plant or soil. They
  may also provide an energy source to the plant
  and also to the soil micro-organisms, which in
  turn helps make soil nutrients available to the
  plant.

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Buyer Beware

• Many products are not 100 chelated and although
  classified by law as a chelate may not be
  effective
• Even among organics some chelating agents are far
  superior to others and all are classified as
  chelating agents by law

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Chelating Agents

• The chelating agents used in Grigg Brothers
  products are organic acids, amino acids and
  carbohydrates selected either individually or in
  combination to chelate each metal nutrient at the
  highest stability constant. All chelating agents
  are natural components found in the metabolism of
  the plant.

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The Bottom Line
Foliar Nutrition is an effective method of
providing a steady flow of nutrients to the
turfgrass. In combination with other traditional
types of root-uptake fertilizers, it is another
management tool for progressive golf course
superintendents who want to achieve better
control of nutrition and growth.
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Superior Foliar Fertilizer
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Why Foliar Feed with Grigg Brothers Products?

• Safe
• Effective
• Quality Predictable Results
• Low risk of tissue burn
• Highly compatible with chemicals
• Fast turf response
• Long lasting
• Good Science

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Ultra-Plex

• Can be a stand alone product_at_ 3 - 6 oz / 1,000
  sq.ft.
• Is recommended in all Grigg Brothers programs _at_
  1.5 - 3 oz / 1,000 sq.ft.
• Is a surfactant, a water buffer agent to make
  sure water is acidified, a growth stimulator
  product, and has an effective form of iron and
  minors added.
• No other additives are need to complete the
  program

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Ultra-Plex

• 1/3 Organic Surfactant
• Intake
• 1/3 Chelated Iron and Minors
• Iron Combo Chelate
• 1/3 Plant Growth Stimulator water buffering
  agent
• Aminoplex

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Ultra-Plex

• Can be used like
• Roots 1-2-3
• Emerald Isles CPR
• However, contains a water buffer agent and
  additional minors that neither of the competitive
  products contain
• Additionally, the minors are in chelated form for
  efficiency and compatibility
• Is a better product at a competitive price

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Garys Green 18-3-4Fe, Mg, Zn, S, Cu

• Is formulated specially for turf
• introduced in 1995
• has become a foliar icon worldwide
• Highly efficient at low rates
• Quick visual response and sustained green up from
  increase in chlorophyll
• without a surge of growth
• Highly compatible with other pesticides and
  growth regulators

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Garys Green 18-3-4Fe, Mg, Zn, S, Cu

• 100 foliar and unlike several competitive
  products, contains no slow release N which is
  never a foliar needs microorganisms for release
• Can also be used on landscape plants where more N
  is needed
• Basis for most of our programs
• Start _at_ 6oz / 1,000 sq.ft. mixed withUltra-Plex
  _at_ 1.5 oz / 1,000 sq.ft
• every 1-2 weeks depending on season and growth

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Garys Green 18-3-4Fe, Mg, Zn, S, Cu

• May drop rate to 3 - 4 oz when used weekly or
  mixed with other Grigg Brothers products such as
  Tuff Turf, Sili-Kal B or P-K Plus at equal rates
  of 3 - 4 oz
• Very effective when mixed with Primo. Primo
  works by reducing top growth and expanding leaf
  mass. Thus Primo extends the life of a foliar by
  reducing the amount of leaf blade removed and
  extending time and amount in the plant.
• The combination with Primo gives maximum
  chlorophyll production and thus carbohydrate
  production promoting root growth and mass

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Tuff Turf 1-0-14Fe, Mg, Mn, Si

• High level of quickly available Potassium
• Contains Silicon (beneficial for plant toughness)
• Contains the Micros needed for Chlorophyll
  production
• Extremely effective with a low (acidic) 3.8 pH
• Most of the other brands have a high pH and are
  less effective
• No other high K source is as compatible
• most others will not mix with P or Ca liquids
• many will not mix with pesticides

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Tuff Turf 1-0-14Fe, Mg, Mn, Si

• The most popular mix with Garys Green in equal
  amounts of 3 - 4 oz each and this mix gives a 11
  NK ratio while covering most minor elements
  needed for plant health and growth
• Can be used as a stand alone product _at_ 4 - 6 oz /
  1,000 sq.ft. every 1-2 weeks
• Superintendents in the north have been successful
  in applying 6oz / 1,000 sq.ft. twice, 2 weeks
  apart before plant succession in late
  fall.Studies are underway to document this
  treatment.

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Sili-Kal-B 8-0-4Ca, Si, B

• Very high in foliar Ca 10
• Contains Silicon (si)
• Promotes strong cell walls
• pH 5.5 (compare)
• Use at times of limited root growth
• Especially for greens grown on sand based
  rootzones
• Can be used as a stand alone Ca supplement

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Tournament Program

• Mixed with Garys Green and Tuff Turf _at_ 3 - 4 oz
  / 1,000 sq.ft. each and Ultra Plex _at_ 1.5 oz /
  1,000 sq.ft. is our best protocol or tournament
  program
• This protocol contains everything needed for
  growth and health of the turf at proper ratios
  of each nutrient

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Tournament Program

• Granular fertilizers need only be added to this
  protocol a few times per season during
  aerification or as desired
• Garys Green may be reduced or eliminated in the
  protocol just prior to tournament play for
  reduced growth

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Nutra Green 5-10-5Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, S, B

• 26 Plant based Amino Acids and complex
  polysaccharide sugars
• A complete fertilizer containing all the
  nutrients in balanced proportions
• Highly efficient P for growth and stress
• No other product on the market contains as many
  nutrients with high levels of phosphorus
• Speeds grow-in of annuals
• mix 1200 and drench

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Nutra Green 5-10-5Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, S, B

• Increases blooming of trees and shrubs
• mix 1100 and inject
• Can be continuously injected or run through drip
  tubes at 11000
• Is the result of 25 years research
• Best product on cool season turf early in the
  spring coming out of dormancy when soil
  temperatures are still below that needed for
  uptake of nutrients especially minors

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Nutra Green 5-10-5Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, S, B

• During heat of summer for stress relief when soil
  temperatures shut down root growth
• For growing of new turf, or overseeded warm
  season turf, to feed needed P and all minors to
  young seedlings

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P.K. Plus 3-21-18Fe, Mn, Zn, B

• 17 phosphorus acid P303
• 4 phosphoric acid P2O5
• Very quickly absorbed
• Popular on the new ultra dwarf bermudagrass
  cultivars
• Independent University studies show it very
  effective on annual bluegrass greens
• pH 6.4 (compare)
• Can be mixed with Sili-Kal-B

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P.K. Plus 3-21-18Fe, Mn, Zn, B

• To often P is overlooked by turfgrass managers
• P is a key ingredient in the photosynthetic
  process and a building block of amino acids
• Contains chelated micronutrients in a high
  phosphorus product
• When mixed equal with Garys Green it gives a NPK
  ratio of 111
• Add Ultra-Plex and it becomes a great program
  popular on Ultra Dwarf bermudagrasses and annual
  bluegrass greens

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P.K. Plus 3-21-18Fe, Mn, Zn, B

• Derived from Potassium Phosphite(a substance
  used for many years in agriculture)
• Phosphites are known to have toxic effects to
  species of phythium and damping off as well as
  anthracnose
• Our product is NOT labeled as a fungicide and
  regardless of what Aventis and Chipco would like
  you to believe, it is proven effective as a P
  foliar nutrient for plants

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Suprema 12-0-12Fe, Mn, Zn, B

• An economical 11 ratio of N to K
• 20 plant based amino acids
• K from potassium organic acids
• Quickly absorbed
• Good minor package aimed at photosynthesis
• Very compatible

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Suprema 12-0-12Fe, Mn, Zn, B

• pH 6.5 (compare)
• Use alone or mixed with Ultra Plex
• Can be mixed with all other Grigg Brothers
  Products
• Becoming popular on fairways
• When mixed _at_ 2.5 gal / acre with Ultra-Plex _at_ 1
  gal has become a popular weekly treatment on high
  quality sports turf

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AminoPlex 3-0-0Plant Growth Stimulator

• Enhances utilization and translocation of
  nutrients in foliar fertilizers
• Contains naturally selected biological stimulants
  including
• natural plant metabolites
• organic acids
• carbohydrates
• protein enzyme precursors
• Buffers poor quality water

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Intake

• A non-ionic all organic surfactant
• wetting agent and performance enhancer for foliar
  fertilizers
• Is especially designed to work with Grigg
  Brothers products
• Improves the efficacy of any systemic product
  including Round Up

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A-O-K 1-0-25

• Amino Acids Organic Acids Organic Potassium
• 25 chelated K no other elements
• May be added to any program to boost K in the
  mixture where needed
• Can be used as a stand alone K source
• The 25 K and the 10 Ca in Sili-Kal Bwill mix
  together without problems
• unlike the competition

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Fairway Foliar Fertile-Sprays

• Amino N 25-0-0 Fe
• Amino P 8-32-0
• Amino K 5-0-25
• Amino Iron 12-0-0 Fe 5, Mn, Zn, Amino Acid
• Available in Bulk
• 55 gal
• 275 gal

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Chelates, Complexes, Combos, More

• Individual Straight Minors
• Combination Minor Products
• Organic Surfactant
• Plant Growth Agents
• Bio-Amendments

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Bio Amendments

• Bio Blend 10-0-0 Ca 5
• Carbo-Plex 6-4-4 Fe, Mn, Zn

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Carbo-Plex 6-4-4Fe, Mn, Zn

• A unique turf food like no other
• Helpful for microorganism growth sugar level in
  the leaf
• 35 simple sugars plus other organic acids and
  amino acids blended together with nutrients for
  soil microorganisms and plant health

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Carbo-Plex 6-4-4Fe, Mn, Zn

• Root feed by injecting or watering into the root
  zone of all landscape plants
• Also sprayed as a foliar form of sugar and
  nutrition
• Excellent product to build mycorrhizal fungi in
  the soil

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Bio-Blend 10-0-0 Ca 5Soil Root Stimulator

• A formula of 15 plant-based proprietary
• amino acids
• organic acids
• liquid fermentation products
• natural plant hormones
• enzymes complex polysaccharides
• All unutilized as a microbial metabolite
• 88 active organic 10 N 5 Calcium
• Mix with Carbo-Plex or combine with any liquid
  fertilizers or use alone

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Bio-Blend 10-0-0 Ca 5Soil Root Stimulator

• Four products in 1
• It is a liquid Compost for microorganisms
• Aids in improving soil structure
• Fertilizer, fortified with N and Ca
• Alleviates Calcium deficiencies

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Bio-Blend Carbo-Plex

• Designed to be applied to the rootzone
• 3 gal Carbo-Plex 1 gal Bio Blend / acre
  watered in lightly
• The only Grigg Brothers products which are
  recommended to be watered in
• However, both may be used as a foliar_at_ 3 oz /
  1,000 sq.ft.

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Summary

• Grigg Brothers products contain a high organic
  concentration. When added to the soil or the
  plant the nutrients are readily available to the
  plant and the chelating agents are degradable in
  the plant or soil. This provides an energy source
  to the plant and also to the soil
  micro-organisms, which in turn helps make soil
  nutrients available to the plant.