Amino Acid Based Biofertilizers increase Photosynthetic Capacity and Chlorophyll content of turfgrass and decrease the
incidence of Dollar Spot Disease
Study by Dr. Schmidt at Virginia Tech
- Study conducted from May through December 1996.
- Penncross Bentgrass (Agrostis palustris)
- Fertility Levels
- Low: 0.41 lb N /1000 sq. ft. every month.
0.13 lb P2O5/1000 sq. ft. and 0.27 lb K2O/1000 sq. ft.
on May 20, July 17, and October 15.
- High: 1.02 lb N /1000 sq. ft. every month.
0.27 lb P2O5/1000 sq. ft. and 0.53 lb K2O/1000 sq. ft.
on May 20, July 17, and October 15.
- Treatment application: Twice a month. First application: May 14.
Treatment |
“Biofertilizer” (Biostimulant) |
Dosage (oz/1000 sq. ft.) |
1 |
Untreated (Control) |
- |
2 |
MACRO-SORB® foliar |
2.0 |
3 |
QUELANT™-Ca |
2.0 |
4 |
MACRO-SORB® foliar + |
1.0 |
|
Humic Acid & Seaweed Mixture |
0.9 |
5 |
QUELANT™-Ca + |
1.0 |
|
Humic Acid & Seaweed Mixture |
0.9 |
6 |
MACRO-SORB® foliar + |
2.0 |
|
MACRO-SORB® radicular |
4.0 |
7 |
Humic Acid & seaweed Mixture |
1.8 |
Measurements:
- Photosynthetic Capacity.
- Chlorophyll Concentration.
- Dollar Spot Disease Incidence.
Fig. 1. Photosynthetic capacity of creeping bentgrass as influenced by amino acid based biofertilizers.
Photosynthetic capacity of turfgrass increased from May through September and decreased in December. QUELANT™-Ca and MACRO-SORB® foliar alone, or in combination with MACRO-SORB® radicular, enhanced photosynthetic capacity;
QUELANT™-Ca was the most consistent. Photosynthetic capacity was significantly increased in July and December which are periods of high environmental stress.
Fig. 2. Chlorophyll concentration of creeping bentgrass as influenced by amino acid based biofertilizers.
Chlorophyll concentration of turfgrass increased from May through September and then declined when measured in December. MACRO-SORB® foliar alone, or in combination with MACRO-SORB® radicular, and QUELANT™-Ca significantly increased the Chlorophyll concentration of turfgrass during the growing season. Chlorophyll formation was specially enhanced during the periods of major environmental stress which are high temperature in July and low temperature in November and December.
Fig. 3. Effect of amino acid based biofertilizers on Dollar Spot Disease incidence of creeping bentgrass.
Incidence of dollar spot disease was decreased by amino acid based biofertilizers regardless of the fertility level. Amino acids enhance the overall health of turfgrass and reduce the incidence of diseases.