1. Foliar Nutrition of Turfgrass

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

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

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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)

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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.

22. Amino Acid Chelate
Stronger Bond
Amino Acid Chelate
NH2 C

23. Why Use Strong Chelated Products?
Compatibility and stability mixing with other nutrients and products
Protects nutrient from falling out (precipitating) and assists in plant uptake and translocation

24. 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.

25. 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)

26. 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.

27. 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

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. Superior Foliar Fertilizer

31. Grigg Brothers Products?
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

32. Ultra-Plex Can be a stand alone product @ 3 - 6 oz / 1,000 sq.ft.
Is recommended in all Grigg Brothers 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

33. Ultra-Plex 1/3 Organic Surfactant 1/3 Chelated Iron and Minors
Intake
1/3 Chelated Iron and Minors
Iron Combo Chelate
1/3 Plant Growth Stimulator & water buffering agent
Aminoplex

34. Ultra-Plex Can be used like:
Roots 1-2-3
Emerald Isle’s 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

35. Gary’s Green 18-3-4 +Fe, 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

36. Gary’s Green 18-3-4 +Fe, 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
6oz / 1,000 sq.ft. mixed with 1.5 oz / 1,000 sq.ft
every 1-2 weeks depending on season and growth

37. Gary’s Green 18-3-4 +Fe, Mg, Zn, S, Cu
May drop rate to 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 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

38. Tuff Turf Fe, 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

39. Tuff Turf Fe, Mg, Mn, Si
The most popular mix with Gary’s Green in equal amounts of oz each and this mix gives a 1:1 N:K ratio while covering most minor elements needed for plant health and growth
Can be used as a stand alone 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.

40. Sili-Kal-B 8-0-4 +Ca, 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

41. Tournament Program
Mixed with Gary’s Green and Tuff Turf @ oz / 1,000 sq.ft. each and Ultra 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

42. Tournament Program
Granular fertilizers need only be added to this protocol a few times per season during aerification or as desired
Gary’s Green may be reduced or eliminated in the protocol just prior to tournament play for reduced growth

43. Nutra Green 5-10-5 +Fe, 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 1:200 and drench

44. Nutra Green 5-10-5 +Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, S, B
Increases blooming of trees and shrubs
mix 1:100 and inject
Can be continuously injected or run through drip tubes at 1:1000
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

45. Nutra Green 5-10-5 +Fe, 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

46. P.K. Plus 3-21-18 +Fe, 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

47. P.K. Plus Fe, 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 Gary’s Green it gives a NPK ratio of 1:1:1
Add Ultra-Plex and it becomes a great program: popular on Ultra Dwarf bermudagrasses and annual bluegrass greens

48. P.K. Plus Fe, 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

49. Suprema 12-0-12 +Fe, Mn, Zn, B An economical 1:1 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

50. Suprema 12-0-12 +Fe, 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 2.5 gal / acre with 1 gal has become a popular weekly treatment on high quality sports turf

51. AminoPlex 3-0-0 Plant 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

52. 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

53. 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 B will mix together without problems
unlike the competition

54. Fairway Foliar “Fertile-Sprays”
Amino N — Fe
Amino P —
Amino K —
Amino Iron — Fe 5%, Mn, Zn, Amino Acid
Available in Bulk
55 gal
275 gal

55. Chelates, Complexes, Combos, & More
Individual Straight Minors
Combination Minor Products
Organic Surfactant
Plant Growth Agents
Bio-Amendments

56. Bio Amendments
Bio Blend Ca 5%
Carbo-Plex Fe, Mn, Zn

57. Carbo-Plex 6-4-4 +Fe, 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

58. Carbo-Plex Fe, 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

59. Bio-Blend 10-0-0 +Ca 5% Soil & 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

60. Bio-Blend 10-0-0 +Ca 5% Soil & 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

61. 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 3 oz / 1,000 sq.ft.

62. 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.