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Three Root Biomass and Bacterial Count Trials using Humate and Viresco Introduction Between July and September 1998, London University carried out a series of tests at 4 golf courses in the south of England. The 72 greens at the 4 courses along with one practice green were used as the test areas. The trials looked at changes in bacterial counts and root biomass. During the football season 1999/2000, a trial was conducted at The Dell, the ground of Southampton FC using Humates and Viresco to see their effect on root biomass and bacterial counts. During the summer 2000, a trial was carried out using a foliar Viresco™ product on grass leaf. This test looked at populations of bacteria on the leaf and their longevity. Golf Course Trial Two separate trials were carried out. In one trial, the 72 greens were all treated with only Viresco™ Foliar. Because in every case the whole of the green was treated, the collars around the greens were used as control. This trial started at the beginning of July and continued to the end of September, a period of about 3 months. Microbial counts were made prior to treatment in early July and at the end of September 1998. Root biomass checks were made at the same times. In the other trial, a practice green at one of the courses was used. Twenty one-metre squares were measured out. Ten areas were used for the test and the other ten used as control. For the test areas medium grade granular Humate, Viresco™ Soluble and Viresco™ Foliar were used. The Humate was put on as a pre-treatment, followed by an application of Viresco™ Soluble as an inoculant with monthly applications of Viresco™ Foliar. The trial started in late July and finished in late September, ie a period of only 2 months. As in the main trial, bacterial counts and root biomass measurements were made immediately prior to the trial and again at the end of September. Bacterial counts are expressed in millions per gram of soil. Root biomass is expressed in grams and is an average of 3 x 2½" cores. In the trial on the 72 greens using only Viresco™ Foliar, there was a statistically significant increase in the microbial counts and in the root biomass. Bacterial counts went up on average by about 27.5% whilst in the control plots it went down by about 5%. The root biomass increased on average in the test plots by about 15% whereas in the control plots it went down by less than 1%, ie in effect, no change.
Southampton FC This trial started in October 1999 and lasted for about 10 months. Three separate trials were conducted. The first looked at the application of Humate granular and Humate liquid on their own. The second involved Viresco™ micro-organism products on their own. The third trial considered both the Humate and the Viresco™ microbial products. All three programmes increased bacterial counts and root biomass. However, the effect of the combined Humate and Viresco™ programme was much more significant than either the Humate or Viresco™ programme on its own.
This study demonstrates once again the significant improvements in microbial activity and plant root biomass that are typical of the joint Humate and Viresco™ programme. The resulting microbial population is not only more active, it is more diverse with significantly increased competition in the plant rhizosphere. The result is a more efficient, balanced soil environment. Furthermore, the turf is healthier and more resistant to pathogens and other stresses and require significantly reduced nutrient and chemical inputs. Bacterial Counts on Leaf - Longevity of Bacteria There is a commonly held, but incorrect belief, that applying bacteria to leaf is pointless as they quickly die because of the damaging effect of ultra violet radiation in sunlight. There is no question that UV does kill bacteria. However, our foliar Viresco products are formulated so as to give considerable protection from UV light to the bacteria they contain. There is available a piece of equipment that golf greenkeepers use daily to "brew up" microbial mixes for immediate application to golf greens. This equipment is not needed as our foliar products can raise dramatically and keep at a high level for many days the bacterial counts on leaf. During the summer of 2000, London University carried out a test on turf grass to look at this question. The product used for the trial is a 50% constituent of Viresco™ Foliar. Prior to application to the grass leaf, bacterial counts were done on ten replicates. Further counts, expressed as millions per sq. cm., were done on a regular basis and the results were as follows:
It can be readily seen that the bacterial count immediately
increased after application and whilst there was then a falling
back in numbers, reasonably high counts were maintained for over
14 days. Comment Very impressive increases in bacterial counts can be made and maintained when Humate and Viresco™ products are used on greens and sports fields. However, the bacterial counts on golf greens vary considerably according to the pH of the soil and the type of green. Microbes have many functions and high counts are important in regard to good turf management. These functions include the breakdown of organic compounds including lignin and cellulose, the formation of humus, the stabilisation of soil, nutrient recycling, fixing of nitrogen from air and disease suppression. The trials showed that an extremely large increase in root biomass can be achieved in a relatively short period when the Humate and Viresco™ products are used. Greenkeepers and groundsmen are constantly striving to increase the root biomass on their turf. Our Humate and Viresco™ programmes can give them, and others, what they are seeking!
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