This trial with a Sydney turf grower highlighted significant fertiliser savings with the added benefits of a shorter growing season, a better quality turf and improved soil nutrient levels for subsequent turf crops.
Details: This long term trial was conducted over some difficult growing seasons in Sydney. The Turf business set key indicators for trial success as being: improved turf and soil quality; greater speed to market; reduced fertiliser costs/more efficient use of applied nutrients; a more sustainable nutrition plan with less emissions and increased soil carbon and finally faster establishment of the following turf.
A one HA block was used for the trial, half of which continued to have applied an industry standard turf program of synthetic fertiliser costing approx $1,500/HA. 25% of the block received half that amount of standard synthetic fertiliser ($750/HA) along with Microturf’s range of liquid biological mineral fertilisers. The remaining 25% received no synthetic fertiliser and just the Microturf liquids. Comments from the Turf Manager were that throughout the seasons the areas ‘Treated’ with Microturf were visibly ahead in their development compared to the standard ‘Untreated’ areas of the block. This included the establishment and appearance of the turf and importantly how the turf cut. The subsequent turf receiving the same treatments continued to show marked improvements in the Microturf ‘Treated’ areas.
A soil testing program was conducted throughout the trial and the results tell a very compelling story about nutrient efficiency and the ability to eliminate wastage from intensive fertiliser programs such as those commonly adopted in Turf and Horticulture programs. A snapshot of the soil tests can be seen here. Note that despite significantly less units of fertiliser being applied in the 'Treated' areas where Microturf's liquid fertilisers were used, these areas continually showed up higher levels of available nutrient when compared to the ‘Untreated’ areas that received synthetic fertiliser at $1500/HA . Organic matter and soil Carbon levels also increased in Microturf ‘Treated’ areas.
The Microturf liquid fertiliser ‘Treated’ areas met all of the key trial objectives as backed up by the soil testing program, reduced costs and improved operational aspects of the turf program.
Trial conducted by: A leading Sydney turf farm and AT Rural Consulting.