We read the “Myth Bustin’” on the GCI site (article)
which details popular beliefs that have no factual basis. Of particular
interest to us was:
Myth #2
Microbes need to be added to improve soil.
Verdict: False.
“The microbial community in turfgrass soils is plentiful and
diverse,” Pat Gross, USGA Green Section Southwest Region director, says.
“Additions do not improve soil conditions in any significant way. The microbial
community is mostly influenced by moisture, air porosity, temperature and
nitrogen content.”
Our question is - What feeds and stimulates this community?
GenNext products
contain no live microbes: 20 years ago in our research we determined that inserting
live microbes into the soil did not show enough improvement in turfgrass
health. So let’s close the case on adding microbes to the soil - it isn’t the
answer. However, from that research, we determined that the byproducts produced
by those microbes in the short time they were able to survive did add some benefit
to the soil. From that, researchers designed a system to grow all the necessary
microbes, fungus filaments and lots of other macrofuana creatures, such as nematodes
and arthropods, in a lab environment. The researchers then harvest the
byproducts produced by those live organisms. By concentrating on all the byproducts
produced critical to superior turf, we are able to energize the microbial, fungus
filaments and other macrofuana creatures present in your soil to perform at
much higher levels.
Nutrient mining:
In a healthy soil, bacteria and fungi efficiently remove other important
minerals from the soil that plants require, such as iron, zinc, magnesium,
copper, and manganese. These organisms excrete special enzymes that unlock the
chemical bonds that tightly bind these valuable micronutrients in soil
particles. The GenNext products contain these special enzymes to make
micronutrients available immediately where the bacteria and fungi populations
might be deficient.
Mycorrhizal Fungi:
Mycorrhizal fungi is a keystone to the health of any plant. This fungi forms as
a partnership with plant roots. A healthy plant produces sugar and shares it
with fungi in exchange for providing water and minerals to the plant.
Mycorrhizal fungi grow through the soil and possess fine hair-like strands
called hyphae. These strands form a network of canals that absorb water and
minerals from the soil, then transporting it back to the plant root. Mycorrhizal
fungi do not feed themselves, they must enter the living root tissue of the plant.
Once inside the root, it is allowed to absorb sugar and other compounds from
the plant. To increase the efficiency of these strands, you must have a healthy
root zone. The GenNext products contain simple and complex carbohydrates
(sugar) and other byproducts designed to help the process of developing an
elaborate network of absorbing strands that reach in to the soils. Effectively,
these strands act as ultra-thin absorbent roots. This in turn supplies water
and minerals that makes the plant grow vigorously, producing more sugar, which
it continues to share with the fungi. Another feature of increasing this
population is in that Mycorrhizal threads act as a sponge, absorbing water
during moist periods, then retaining and slowly releasing to the plant during
periods of drought.
So, the USGA says you have a plentiful and diverse microbial
community, but the modern turfgrass practices, including common management methods,
are known to suppress biological activity in soil. The use of fungicides,
pesticides and herbicides create an environment where microbes cannot perform
the necessary functions.
Wrapping this up, microbes excrete an array of important and
beneficial byproducts which include amino acids, organic acids, carbohydrates,
enzymes, growth regulating compounds and others; bacteria, fungi, algae
protozoa and a host of other creatures feed on and utilize these byproducts.
Without these essential byproducts, your turfgrass is not performing at optimum
efficiency.
GenNext researchers have spent years identifying these critical
byproducts and further, have designed products that stimulate healthy plant
responses. Part of the “Key Complex” in our products incorporate these
byproducts to stimulate the biological community in your soils.
The best way to see how our products perform is to spend
$500.00 – you will receive five gallons each of our C&D products, you will
treat 24,000 sq. ft. of your turfgrass three times, and you will see superior coloration, with the beginning
of your new, healthy turfgrass.
