Introduction
Algaegreen marine consentrate has become a first choice product for those wishing to enhance the grounds of Golf courses and thus build healthy grasses.
The natural seaweed liquid extract helps, as a foliar spray and a soil conditioner, in fighting diseases and fungal infections. AlgaeGreen relieves the grass from environmental stress and assists in developing stronger healthier roots.
AlgaeGreen principles of action are based on the natural composition of the product which has not been impaired by the process.
Concentrate Seaweed extracts are very rich in carbohydrates due to the natural high content of sugars in seaweeds. Due to the particular attention that OGT has put into reducing high temperatures in the production process, AlgaeGreen contains a wide variety of chelated nutrients, high amounts of natural antioxidants, free amino acids, traces of key molecules for grass, and plant hormone-like molecules such as betaines and auxins.
All these compounds, acting at different levels, stimulate the biological defences of the grass, directly and indirectly, by improving the soil structure.
The conditioner is suitable for use all year round and can also be tank mixed with other desired products to provide an ideal mixture for healthy greens, lush greens, fairways and tee boxes.
Having been extensively tested by Dr Colin Fleming of Queens University, Belfast this seaweed conditioner has shown positive results in the reduction of nematode damage. These trials have established that the application of AlgaeGreen can improve grass quality where both endoparasitic and ectoparasitic nematodes are present.
Stress Management
The “Stress”:
The general use of the word “stress”, is to denote causes and experienced effects of external pressure on a living organism.
Technically, the definition of “stress” is more the consequence and observed effects than the agent inducing a stress. An agreed definition would be “stress = an organism’s total response to environmental demands and pressure”.
Golf courses are built up with a wide variety of grass types, depending on their location (weather, coast, country…), history (Architects, Superintendents…), environmental (weather evolutions, pathogens, chemical treatments…) and human pressure (number of players per year, member preferences...).
There are probably several dozens of grass types used on tees, greens, roughs and fairways worldwide but the most common types would be Bluegrass (Poa sp.), Bentgrass (Agrostis sp.), Ryegrass (Lolium sp.), Fescue (Festuca sp.), Zoysiagrass (Zoysia sp.), Bermudagrass (Cynodon sp.), Bahiagrass (Paspalum sp.), Kikuyugrass (Pennisetum sp.).
In theory, the choice of grass species in a golf course has been adapted to the local conditions, “warm season grass” for more tropical and dry countries/areas (Bermudagrass, Bahiagrass etc…) and “cool season grass” for more temperate to cold regions (Bentgrass, Bluegrass etc…); in addition choices would also been made depending on the location within the golf course, Zoysiagrass or Kikuyugrass predominantly for fairways and roughs for example and Velvet Bentgrass or Annual Meadow Bluegrass for greens for example.
However, due to various reasons mentioned above, the grass types used are not always the most adapted which results in one of the main streses for turfs and lawns. The second main stress is the soil structure, when there is little soil, it can be quite challenging for grass to grow. Soil is indeed the main nutritive source of grass and turf, and is usually growing only on sand, especially in golf links but also, more and more, on inland golf courses. Sand topdressing indeed, with time, reduces the part of organic matter towards silica presence, therefore, the grass depends only on external and constant supply of nutrients.
Turf grass in golf courses, and sport grounds, is consequently in a permanent stressed state.
In addition to these stresses which are common to all golf courses, some other stresses can occur such as regular mowing, stamping, unbalanced fertilizing plans, unexpected weather conditions, salt and, of course, pathogen outbreaks.
Fungi (Dollar spot, Fusarium, Brown patch, Anthracnose…) and nematodes are the main pathogens. Few insects such as crane flies and their larvae can also be very destructive to golf courses. Some pathogens such as Pythium are really stress-related pathogens and will appear when the turf is already under heavy stress and specific conditions.
Turfs in golf courses are therefore under heavy stresses and the most visual consequence of these stresses is, loss of colours by patches or else apparition of other un-wanted grass species, fungi etc…
How AlgaeGreen products act:
In order to limit the visual effects of stressed grasses, a wide variety of chemical and non-chemical solutions are existing and have been tested for decennia.
The goal in turf management is to relieve the plant/grass from this stress by limiting the use of their own energy to perform basic physiological actions (photosynthesis, growth, defence) and controlling, if possible, the presence of pathogens.
Instead of being a unique tool for a specific pathogen such as root nematode for example, AlgaeGreen represents a multi-task tool which will act at different levels on the grass (direct action) and to its close environment (un-direct actions).
Among the main direct actions of AlgaeGreen, the effect are linked to:
- the wide variety of nutrients, more than 60 chelated compounds are directly bioavailable to the plant. Even if the plant can assimilate the main macronutrients (N,P,K) through the leaves, it is better to supply these molecules via soil assimilation. In contrary, as micronutrients are required in much smaller doses, the foliar application represents the best form of supply for a rapid assimilation by the plant. AlgaeGreen contains over 50 micronutrients
- small molecules such as mannitol, a molecule that has been identified as a major player in plant draught stress management
- small amino acids that are building blocks (bricks) of all organic parts in the plants,
- plant hormone-like molecules which can, as a foliar application, improve the physiology of the plant towards specific actions such as root development,
- polyphenols, vitamin A and C, also known as natural antioxidants that can help the plant in defense reaction against stress by interacting in particular against damaging free radicals,
- polysaccharides especially Laminarin, a compound known as precursor (stimulant) of the basic immune system of plants. By providing regular amount of this compound, the plant immune system is naturally maintained to a defense level that enables the plant to be already prepared to any new pathogen attack.
In addition to these effects of AlgaeGreen directly on the plant, these products also provide un-direct effects by acting at the soil level. These effects are mainly due to the presence of:
- the carbohydrates: in particular a high content of alginates that is used as a “feed” source for the bacteria directly beneficial to the plants; the alginates, charged colloids have also the capacity to facilitate chelation of other macronutrients such as Nitrogen and enable to keep water around the root zone which again is of benefit to the plant-beneficial bacteria by providing them with a constant growing medium (water),
- soil fertilizing macronutrients such as Potassium (K), Sodium (Na), Chloride (Cl), Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca),
- antiviral potent compounds such as fucoidans, sulphated-rich polymers of fucose polysaccharides,
- polyphenols more and more described as important reactants in humus formations as well as potent insect repellents
In turf management, AlgaeGreens direct actions on the plant are prevalent due to the foliar application practice. However, by increasing substantially the volume sprayed indirect actions via the soil structure which can be obtained as well. A practical example is the fact that some AlgaeGreen users in the fruit production are applying AlgaeGreen through soil dripping to increase the effects on soil structure.
In turf management, as highlighted in the results of the scientific studies carried out by Dr. Colin Flemings research group, and the many testimonials of Greenkeepers and superintendents of some of the best golf clubs in the world, AlgaeGreen represents therefore, a daily tool to limit stress effects.
Golf Club Testimonials
''I have been using AlgaeGreen now for the past two years. I find the product excellent in the development of the Root System which in turn improves the Nematode issue I have here at Dromland Castle''
Paul Coleman, Course Superintendent,
Dromoland Castle, Ireland
''We have successfully being using AlgaeGreen for the past two years and find it to be an important part of our supplementary nutritional program. The key benefit of using AlgaeGreen is to complement our environmental nutritional program we have here at The K Club''
Gerry Byrne, Course Superintendent,
The K Club, Ireland
''I have been using AlgaeGreen for some time now and have noted much healthier greens, with improved density and reduced stress. I would definitely recommend the product and will continue using it on the Old Head course in future''
Paul O' Mahony, Course Superintendent,
Old Head Golf Links, Ireland
''AlgaeGreen offers the most cost effective bio stimulant on the market today. Regular applications have resulted in improved root density, root depth and plant stress tolerance. The product is an integral component of our agronomic program; and we can't live without it''
Roger Robarge, Course Superintendent,
The Valley Club of Montecito, California
''I have been using AlgaeGreen now for two years and I am finding it to be an excellent product. I have applied AlgaeGreen to both Bentgrass and Bermuda grass and have seen noticeable improvements in my Grass conditions. AlgaeGreen is now an important part of my weekly foliar program. I have no hesitation in recommending AlgaeGreen to fellow superintendents''
Neil Edwards, Course Superintendent,
Bakers Bay Golf Course, Bahamas
