Turf Care in Tune with the Environment

Humate International - Turf Care in Tune with the Environment

The advent of synthetic fertilizers and

pesticides and the growth of the oil-based

economy over the past 50 to 60 years have

changed the way we manage our biosphere.

This has had certain positive effects such

as significant increases in food production,

but has had a definite negative impact on

our soils. Fortunately, some organizations

have recognized the need to restore our

soils and to reduce the need for these oilbased

products. Humate International has

been a leader in this effort for more than two

decades based upon its unique, high-energyHUMATE material. At Humate International,

they have demonstrated that a relatively easy

adjustment to what has become the accepted

way to care for golf courses over the past

20 to 30 years improves the condition of golf

courses and reduces the cost of golf course

maintenance.

Nature prefers a complex ecosystem with

a high level of organic matter, wide variety

of plant species, and complex interactions

in the soil to encourage the development of

a broad-based, active, balanced microbial

population and a self-sustaining ecosystem.

Golf courses, on the other hand, are

characterized by a single plant species,

unnatural, short mowing heights, and soil

compaction. The programs recommended by

Humate International include their granular

and liquid HUMATE organics, their ecofriendly

granular and liquid nutrients, and their

BIOSYST microbial products. HUMATE is

the organic base and the BIOSYST products

provide a broad-spectrum of microorganisms

with all the capabilities required in the soil and

the enzymes, micro- and macro-nutrients,

polymers, and vitamins to support these and

the native microbial populations. The results

are (1) a properly balanced and efficient

soil ecosystem with extremely effective

organic materials interacting with a diverse,

active microbial population and (2) healthier,

stress-resistant plants with deeper and moremassive root systems.

This Nature-friendly biosphere:

• Efficiently utilizes available nutrient sources

• Increases resistance to pathogens and

other stresses

• Reduces pressure from insects

• Breaks down soil toxins and toxic residues

• Decreases fertilizer, pesticide, and water

requirements

The Humate International approach has been

proved and used successfully…in Europe

where the use of fungicides is severely

restricted…in California where a major city

has been on

a program toeliminate the use

of fungicides on

its golf courses…

in the southeast

U.S where some

golf courses have

improved the

quality of their turf without the

use of fungicides.

Two replicated

turfgrass research

projects directed

by Dr. Alan

Gange of The

Royal Holloway

School of

Biological

Sciences at

The University

of London

measured

statistically

significant

increases

in bacterial

counts and

root biomass.

The second of

these, a 10-month

study, measured the effects of HUMATE when

used alone, the BIOSYST microbes alone,

and the combined HUMATE + BIOSYST

program compared with the standard protocol.

The combined program proved, by far, to give

the best results; bacterial counts more than

doubled in the first month and root biomass

more than doubled within three monthsas shown in the two graphs (a separate

write-up on the research

is available upon request).

These improvements were

maintained throughout the

study. In his summary, Dr.

Gange reported…“One

remarkable effect…is the

relatively rapid nature of

the response obtained.”

And…“Another important

aspect of this data is that the

effect seen was sustainable.”

Also…“It appears that

these may work through

the winter, thus providing

an excellent base for good

plant growth in the spring.” And lastly…“The

recommendation is that both HUMATE and

BIOSYST should be applied because this

method is the complete approach.”

At Humate International, they have developed

a reputation for products of the highest

quality and performance. Their products

are made using

natural materials

in formulations

that are not

only extremely

effective, but also

environmentally

friendly. The most

popular Humate

International

programs include

the HUMATE

granular and

liquid products,

HUMATE

Rejuvenator,

and the

BIOSYST

microbes.

These programs

are particularly

effective in

suppressing

nematode

activity and

pressure from

diseases and

insects. The

products and

programs

from Humate

International offer

superintendents the opportunity to improve

their soils, replace petroleum-based products,

reduce nutrient, fungicide, and water inputs,

and to grow healthier, stress-resistant plants

at lower cost.

www.humateintl.com.

Greens with and without HUMATE

Sod grown on sand with granular Humate