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Without a doubt, Summer 2010 was one for the record books.
The extreme conditions not only tested the mettle of many solid turfheads, but it put to the test a number of products being used by superintendents in their routine maintenance programs.
During the last 10 years, these supplemental turf nutrition products have claimed to encourage better rooting, vigor, improved nitrogen efficiency and stress resistance – all keys to their successes last summer.
So we were curious to see how the spectrum of foliars and biostimulant products fared, and, in Summer 2010’s aftermath, whether superintendents were adjusting their programs heading into this current season.
We surveyed a group of superintendents and received feedback from nearly 300 about how they integrate foliars and biostimulants into their turf maintenance programs. Our research points out superintendents love these products and they’ve met or exceeded expectations, even in the face of adverse weather and drought conditions.
For example, 96 percent said the foliar products they used met all expectations last summer; and 98 percent of superintendents using biostimulants said the same.
Likewise, during this recent economic crunch, foliars and biostimulants seemed to have been spared the budgetary ax. Our research shows that the line items for these products, for the most part, stayed the same or increased. — The editors
How has your foliar budget changed over the past three years?
7% More than 20% increase
4% 16% to 20% increase
6% 11% to 15% increase
21% 6% to 10% increase
18% 1% to 5% increase
32% No change
1% 1% to 5% decrease
7% 6% to 10% decrease
1% 11% to 15% decrease
1% 16% to 20% decrease
2% More than 20% decrease
Where do you use foliars?
48% Greens and fairways
1% Fairways only
51% Greens only
How do you use foliars? (select all that apply)
5% Spot usage
82% Regular application schedule developed in advance
30% Apply on an as-needed basis
During the summer of 2010, during one of the most stressful summers in recent history, how did your foliar products perform?
4% Did not perform to expectations
96% Performed to expectations
What is the biggest advantage of foliars? (select one)
14% Bypassing dysfunctional root systems
8% Bypassing dysfunctional soil / pH issues
27% Accuracy
35% Increased efficacy
6% Environmentally sound
10% Other
How has your biostimulants budget changed over the past three years?
8% More than 20% increase
3% 16% to 20% increase
4% 11% to 15% increase
16% 6% to 10% increase
15% 1% to 5% increase
49% No change
0% 1% to 5% decrease
3% 6% to 10% decrease
0% 11% to 15% decrease
1% 16% to 20% decrease
1% More than 20% decrease
Where do you use biostimulants?
27% Greens and fairways
2% Fairways only
71% Greens only
How do you use biostimulants? (select all that apply)
1% Other
72% Regular application schedule developed in advance
33% Apply on an as-needed basis
8% Spot usage
During the summer of 2010, during one of the most stressful summers in recent history, how did your biostimulants products perform?
2% Did not perform to expectations
98% Performed to expectations
What is the biggest advantage of biostimulants? (select one)
10% Bypassing dysfunctional root systems
10% Bypassing dysfunctional soil / pH issues
15% Accuracy
40% Increased efficacy
14% Environmentally sound
11% Other
Will you continue to use biostimulants as part of your program?
3% No
97% Yes
The non-users weigh in
Less than half (44 percent) of superintendents said they didn’t use biostimulants as part of their maintenance programs, not quite the drastic swing of 10 percent who indicated they didn’t foliar products.
So what were the reasons behind non-use? In both cases, the reason was strongly financial. The near-majority of supers not using these products cited budget cuts and revenue losses at their facilities as the main reason they weren’t using either foliars, biostimulants or both. However, it’s interesting to note that a significant minority of respondents did indicate that their non-use was the result of management not believing in the products.
“They just don’t believe the hype,” responded one superintendent.
Have foliars and/or biostimulants been part of your program in the past?
26% Yes, both foliars and biostimulants
17% No
56% Yes, foliars
1% Yes, biostimulants
Are you considering using foliars and/or biostimulants as part of your program this year?
10% Yes, both foliars and biostimulants
20% No
69% Yes, foliars
1% Yes, biostimulants
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