Q: What’s happening in the industry?
A: From my observations there appears to be more products than ever before. We are in the process of searching the Web with great scrutiny looking for every product from every manufacturer that could possibly be included under the umbrella of "biostimulant" or "bio-nutrition." So far, we have found at least an equal number to the number we found about four years ago, and we’re still counting. So there is no shortage of products.
Most likely the number of products on the market has to do with the severity of the last two summers. Between heat and drought, golf courses superintendents are looking for whatever edge they can possibly get just to get through these very tough times.
In terms of the number of superintendents using these types of products, my guess is the number is probably up. Again simply because of the extreme stress of the last couple summers. A few years ago, two separate surveys were conducted to determine what percentage of superintendents use biostimulants on a regular basis or at least occasionally. Both surveys showed almost identical numbers. At that time, 40 percent of the superintendents surveyed said they used such materials on a regular basis while another 40 percent used them occasionally. A clear 20 percent didn't use them at all. I don't have data, but my guess is the number of superintendents using them, both regularly or occasionally, has gone up. We hope to conduct another survey this coming year.
Q: What might be coming down the line for bio?
A: It appears there are more and more products showing a broad mixture of "active ingredients" and openly including nutrients along with the active ingredients. I think once we have our data finalized from our Web search, we will have a better feel for what we will be seeing this coming year. I certainly would want to poll the manufacturers though.
Q: How much should superintendents plan for bio for next year, especially considering the summer we’ve just experienced?
A: As I mentioned, I believe the use of biostimulant products will be up for this coming summer. However, with budgets so tight, I imagine the superintendent is going to look very closely at the available products to see which ones best fit his or her needs. Frankly, I would hope the superintendent would demand university research results before making a final decision on any particular product.
Q: And looking the summer we’re likely to have next year, how should superintendents prepare?
A: As an agronomist, I believe you start preparing for next summer now. That is, mowing, fertilization, cultivation, pest control that is done in the fall can have a huge effect on the health of the turftgrass next spring and summer. In every region of the country, we have excellent university extension people and information available for the superintendent if he or she wants to know what current research is showing in terms of maximizing the health and performance of turfgrass. In addition, the superintendent should be talking with his peers, especially those who have made it through the past two summers without losing grass. I would also start contacting bioproduct manufacturers for information on their products. Not just marketing information, but research results that support the claims the manufacturer might be making.
I also advise superintendents to do their own testing. This doesn't have to be an involved study. Simply drop a piece of plywood over an area of the green that is to be treated with a biostimulant or bio-nutritional product. Compare this area with the rest of the green that had been treated. The results might be surprising.
Q: What are the basic benefits to bio?
A: The superintendents I talk to indicate that they serve as a safety net. That is, after they have done everything they can do as a turfgrass manager in terms of mowing, fertilization, cultivation, etc., biostimulants just might provide that needed edge to get the grass through a stress situation. That approach is hard to argue against. The key is to remember that these bioproducts are not intended to replace or take shortcuts around basic turfgrass management practices but to enhance or serve as supplements to help get the grass through stress conditions. That’s my view anyhow.
Q: What are the risks?
A: In terms of any of these products harming turfgrass, there is little or no indication that is a major concern if the label is followed. In all our work over the years, so long as we followed label instructions, we never saw a negative effect on the turfgrass from any of the products we tested. Obviously, we haven’t tested every product. The point is, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The only other risk is superintendents believing that such products are a “magic bullet” and certain turfgrass management practices can be cut back on or eliminated entirely.