Reacting to today’s needs to apply fertilizer and other nutrients in a more efficient, cost-effective and ecosensitive manner, LebanonTurf has established a leadership position in the emerging category of plant nutrients known as bionutritionals. In combination with advanced N-P-K fertilizers introduced over the past 20 years, the bionutritional line of fertilizers gives LebanonTurf the ability to offer agronomic solutions from the industry’s broadest product portfolio of turf and garden products.
“We have made significant investments in the last two years in terms of products and people so we can build the right fertility program for customers’ needs,” said Dave Heegard, general manager of LebanonTurf, a private company established in 1947.
LebanonTurf’s emergence as the leading manufacturer of bionutritional products follows its late 2008 acquisition of Emerald Isle Solutions and the mid-2009 acquisition of the Roots brand of organic-based granular fertilizers and other unique nutritional complements. Emerald Isle True Foliar products promote turfgrass physiological fitness through a precise combination of nutrients, seaplant extract and other substances beneficial to turf. The Roots portfolio provides an all-in-one nutrient delivery system that feeds the plant while enhancing the biological life of the soil and plant ecosystem.
“We now can offer customers access to the broadest and most complete offering of
nutrition and physiological fitness products on the market today – from advanced N-P-K offerings to bionutritionals,” said Heegard.
In addition to its products, more than 60 years of experience enable LebanonTurf to offer an integrated, systems approach to problem solving.
“Our bionutritionals and advanced fertilizers – combined with our team of professionals – help customers operate more efficiently, cost-effectively and with greater regard to their environmental impact,” Heegard said.
Bionutritional fertilizers is the name given to the wide range of living organisms, including microbes, bacteria, mycorrhizae, seaplant extracts and hormones, that can be added to a fertilizer prill or delivered as standalone products to nourish plants. Bionutritionals promote a healthy give-and-take with the plant as fungi consume carbohydrates exuded by the plant’s roots and give back water, phosphorous and other minerals. Bacteria also consume carbohydrates, which are eaten by protozoa and, in turn, convert bacterial protein into nitrogen that feeds the plants.
“Think of it as an underground revolution led by nature’s own powerful army,” said Heegard.
Bionutritionals benefit turf and the environment while helping end-users save money, according Dr. Roch Gaussoin, a professor in the agronomy and horticulture department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a leading authority on biological plant nutrition.
“In our tests, we have seen the opportunity to reduce fertilizer application rates by up to 30 percent over granular or dry fertilizers with no change in performance,” Gaussoin said.
What’s more, Gaussoin adds, bionutritionals help improve the structure of the soil, allowing
roots to penetrate deeper, encouraging a healthier plant while reducing stress and the potential for surface water contamination.
“As costs of traditional fertilizers continue to rise, similar or improved performance from products that can be applied at reduced rates have the potential to provide cost savings,” Gaussoin added.
LebanonTurf’s moves to broaden its range of capabilities coincide with customers’ needs to make the best decisions for their facilities.
“From economic, operational and environmental standpoints, there’s never been a more critical time for superintendents and course managers to make good decisions regarding their fertility programs,” Heegard said. “We’re confident we’re now in a great position to help our customers do that.”