Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, are organic compounds containing an amino (-NH2) and a carboxylic acid (-COOH) group.  Although an organic chemist can synthesize thousands of amino acids, nature is very restrictive and uses only 20 amino acids arranged in different sequences to make proteins.  All proteins of animals and plants are exclusively made of L form amino acids (D form amino acids are extremely rare in nature).

	R = remainder of molecule which gives amino acids their different properties.
L-amino acid (Amino group at left side of molecule)		D-amino acid (Amino group at right side of molecule)

Plants can normally synthesize their own amino acids through thousands of chemical reactions and a significant expenditure of energy.  However, when plants are under “stressful conditions,” they are unable to perform their normal physiological functions to make these amino acids. 

Plants convert water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates through photosynthesis.  Carbohydrates are converted into more complex organic compounds through respiration and amino acids are formed by the addition of nitrogen absorbed from the soil or foliar applications.  These amino acids are used by the plant to make proteins, enzymes, chlorophyll, and other organic compounds.

Stress causes plants to decrease or stop photosynthesis, decrease carbohydrate and protein production, increase respiration, increase the catabolism of structural proteins and carbohydrates, close stomata and reduce gas interchange, initiate foliar senescence, and eventually, the plant’s death.  Golf course and sports field turfgrass is frequently growing under less than optimum conditions due to environmental, chemical, mechanical, traffic and disease stresses.  Therefore, there is a need to aid the plant in overcoming stress to maintain more uniform, healthier and stronger turfgrass throughout the growing season. 

Extensive research during the past two decades has shown that plants are able to absorb amino acids through the roots or leaves and transport them to other tissues where needed to perform their essential functions.  Products containing free L-form amino acids and peptides of low molecular weight are now being used to complement fertilization and other maintenance practices.

Results from many studies conducted at universities such as Penn State, Virginia Tech, University of Maryland, Michigan State University, and others around the country indicate that exogenous application of L-amino acids enhance the performance of existing maintenance programs and maintain healthier turfgrass throughout the growing season.  Some specific effects of amino acids on turfgrass include:

• Increased tolerance to water stress and other adverse conditions
• Increased synthesis of chlorophyll and photosynthetic capacity
• Reduction in incidence of dollar spot and other diseases
• Increased membrane permeability and nutrient uptake
• Enhanced seed establishment
• Enhanced effect of post emergence herbicides and other products
• Enhanced root growth and development

Amino acids also act as chelating or complexing agents.  Free amino acids in solution are compounds with a negative charge on one group (-COO-) and a positive charge on another    (-NH3+).  These chemical properties allow them to complex other nutrients or minerals.  For example, a chelate is formed through coordinate covalent bonding of a metal to amino acids to form heterocyclic ring structures.  This chemical arrangement increases the availability and absorption of nutrients by the plant.

The scheme below illustrates the chelate formed by two glycine amino acids and a metal ion.

Nutramax Agriculture, Inc. is committed to learn more about the effect of L-amino acids on plants and promote their use specifically on turfgrass.  University studies and customer trials and testimonials guarantee the benefit of adding L-amino acid based products to your maintenance program.