Air2G2 has a very unique and intriguing technology. For turf managers, how does this differ from traditional plug-punching aerification?
Glen Black: The difference between the traditional technology and the Air2G2 technology is quite substantial. A hole poked in the turf to a depth of 5-6 inches doesn’t really allow for any air to be capture., It does, however, disrupt the upper surface to create airflow for a very brief time. Because it’s a shallow disruption, it allows for thatch removal, which is very important. The Air2G2 machinery not only injects air at the root base, but also below the root base, up to twelve inches deep, where a lot of problems arise. Those problems may be due to bad microbial activity. The Air2G2 technology fractures the soil at many different levels, allowing for the air to flow through the soil. By injecting compressed air, the “bad gas” (CO2) is forced out of the soil. For, as everyone knows, a hole in the surface may release some gas, but because the CO2 is heavier than air, it never gets fully expelled from the soil.
Some may think the use of forced air is invasive. From an agronomic perspective, how does the Air2G2 process contribute to turf health?
This is a question that many superintendents have asked, to a point of asking about “shearing the roots”. Really? My question is, what happens to the roots when you core aerify, or when you pencil tine the turf, or anytime you poke any holes in the surface, are you not disrupting the root zone? When a core aerifier goes across a green and you pick up the core, doesn’t it have roots in it? The Air2G2 process is so non-disruptive to the turf, that in the 17 years of testing, we have never had one instance of root damage when the Air2G2 machines are operated properly. Just like any other piece of equipment that is operated by a person, human error can create a problem. The Air2G2 process does not damage the root zone, but is actually giving the soil and the roots the absolute most beneficial element for growth and life—air. The Air2G2 process creates passageways in the soil so that the air and water can move. Poor soil health is caused by the lack of air and lack of water movement through the soil, and neither of those situations are good for strong, healthy roots. Air is everything to anything that lives!
In addition to compaction relief, increased porosity and enhanced respiration, what are some other immediate benefits?
In the case of the Air2G2 technology, the immediate benefits that will be directly dependent upon the past practices of the previous superintendents. For instance, at a particular college stadium, the turf was drowning. We did the Air2G2 process on the stadium turf, and the superintendent loved the process. He asked, “When do you think we will see some benefits?” He could see immediately that the turf was draining. But even further, my question to him was, “what nutrients have you been feeding the turf?”. When he told me what products, I knew that he would most likely see vast improvement in his turf in just a couple of days due to the quality of the products he was using, and that the nutrients were probably latent in the soil. Due to the extreme compaction, there had been no air or water movement to activate the nutrients. Three days later, we received a photo of before and after. People were asking if the picture was photoshopped! The difference was that dramatic. If anyone wants to know the super’s identity, or the name of the college, contact me, I will be glad to share. Unlike seeing thousands of cores on top of the turf, what you don’t see are the thousands of fractures in your soil, creating a breath of fresh air throughout your soil profile.
That said, what can superintendents expect over the long term?
When the Air2G2 technology becomes an integral part of the superintendent’s program, the green leaf plant will be healthier because the roots are healthy; the roots are healthy because the soil is healthy. The soil is being treated with air, which enhances good microbial activity and will deter bad microbial activity. When a human body is healthy, it takes in air without difficulty and uses that oxygen in every part of the healthy body. The soil is the body of the turf. A person with a healthy body looks healthy! When your soil is healthy, your turf will also look healthy!
Please explain how the Air2G2 process address the superintendent’s need to reduce labor and be a more efficient time manager?
As for being able to reduce the labor, I would say that the Air2G2 process can help the superintendent to eliminate problem areas where labor is being sent out on a daily basis to either repair, or constantly try and rectify the problem areas. By implementing the Air2G2 process, those areas become less problematic, meaning less labor cost. Also, due to its non-disruptive attributes, the Air2G2 process requires no cleanup upon completion. Even further, because there is virtually no disruption to the turf surface, the Air2G2 process can be done easily in any weather condition, without interrupting play. No need to close the course in order to perform Soil CPR with the Air2G2 machinery.
A superintendent is about to approach his board/committee for funding to purchase an Air2G2. What are the key points he should highlight that would address their interest on how it will impact their game?
Most boards lack the broad understanding that a superintendent has in agronomy. Therefore, most superintendents have approached the board based on the non-disruption of the playing surface, which will enhance the revenue stream. By using the Air2G2 machinery, we’re not saying that the course no longer needs to core aerify, but the need to core aerify and shut down the course multiple times is no longer required. The opportunity to perform Soil CPR with Air2G2 technology at any time, in any weather condition, allows for the healthiest greens possible. On one course in particular, by utilizing Air2G2 technology often the course was able to pay for the Air2G2 in just one year due to not losing revenue through course closure, diminished play, and no cleanup expense. Secondly, a superintendent may explain how the enhanced appearance of the greens is a result of overall improvement of the soil and turf. The turf can become stressed and susceptible to adverse conditions because it is cut at such a short and precise length. With improved soil health and better root growth, the leaf plant becomes healthier. Better turf, better putting!
Lastly, is the Air2G2 technology purely for golf course turf managers, or are there other turf applications, as well.
The Air2G2 technology is designed to benefit any kind of natural turf. Remember, air is everything to anything that lives! Soil can actually become “dead” without air. I have yet to read about anything that grows on dead soil except for bacteria or alkali that rises to the surface because even the bad searches for some means of air! The Air2G2 presence is felt all the way from Fenway Park to Real Madrid and forty seven other countries, throughout the United States, and the world thanks to our fine network of dealers and distributors. From golf to tennis, soccer, football, baseball, yard bowling, polo fields, horse racetracks, residential lawns, and, yes, even wine vineyards, the Air2G2 technology is injecting air and giving a breath of fresh air to everything that lives! An important note, the Air2G2 technology is being used at sports facilities that contain Desso grass fibers in the turf.
What is new in the Air2G2 product line?
Last year we went to the GCSAA trade show with our new Air2HP. This year, we will highlight the Soil CPR process and the all new pedestrian Air2G2 324. We will also launch two new prototype products, the Air2GO shuttle trailer, designed for fast and easy transport of the Air2G2 324 between greens and fields, and the tractor mounted Air2G2 636. The Air2G2 636 is a larger platform with new technology that allows it to be pulled by a tractor, and without the need to stop in order to perform the air-injection process. This will allow for facilities to perform Soil CPR in less time on the larger areas, such as fairways and fields. The Air2G2 636 is perfect for golf course fairways, sports fields, and sod farms. All the new Air2G2 machinery employs the same great air-injection technology, and performs Soil CPR. GT AirInject Inc. are the air-injection experts and our mission is to bring more air-injection products to the industry in order help every groundskeeper and turf manager in the world have a great and secure career!