Q&A WITH Gordon Kauffman

1 What should be your nutrient management focus in spring of 2019?

A: Apply complete and balanced formulations and spoon-feed with highly efficient GRIGG® Proven Foliar™ nutrients when soil temperatures are still rather cold (<50o F). This approach should include foliar micronutrient and magnesium (Mg) inputs, when the sun angle is lower, in an effort to maximize photosynthesis. Focus on nitrogen (N) application timing and dose. Consider the amount of residual soil nitrogen (N) and deliver more soluble N when plants are actively growing – mid-spring for cool season turfgrasses and late spring to mid-summer for warm season turfgrasses. Do not over apply soluble N, particularly where annual slow release N sources have been used. Low dose and frequent soluble N inputs will encourage rooting, tillering and stolon/rhizome growth, while insoluble N mineralizes slowly, releasing plant available N over an extended period of time; thus enhancing turfgrass vigor longer term. Do not try to push Bermudagrass with heavy doses of soluble N early in the spring – this can have a dramatic negative affect if you encounter extreme cold in late March or April. For cool season turf back off the higher doses of soluble N late spring - shoot growth at the expense of root growth will negatively affect turf vigor because carbohydrate reserves used for protein synthesis and stress tolerance can become depleted. IMPORTANT: Before feeding the grass, calibrate the spreader or sprayer to ensure optimum delivery without waste. Without calibration, you run the risk of over or under-applying nutrient, which can compromise plant growth and development, risk environmental contamination, and waste money.

2 What makes nutrient formulation technology important?

A: Fortunately, turf mangers have technologically advanced nutrient formulation options – from slow release GreenSpec™ granules that can be applied safely at higher rates, to highly efficient GRIGG® Proven Foliar™ options, which are generally applied frequently and at low doses. Spoon-feeding allows turf managers more control and the ability to fine-tune nutrient inputs, thus enhancing uptake efficiency and offering an agronomic, environmental and economic benefit. Golf course superintendents require formulations that are also safe, compatible and easy to use. GRIGG formulations tank mix without issues, eliminating guesswork, and are available with a complete and balanced nutrient package, built-in adjuvants and buffering agents – which offer stability of the spray solution over a wide pH range. Correctly and organically coordinated foliar applied nutrients can increase the speed of establishment, maximize vigor, enhance recuperative capacity, and improve overall color and quality. These effects are more pronounced on sand soils, during environmental stress, or when root growth is compromised.

3 Is it too early to plan for summer stress on cool season turf?

A: Spring represents the very best time to plan for the inevitable environmental stress that will occur during the course of the growing season. With so much out of your control, fine tune programs early in the season to develop the very best nutrient/water management and pest control strategies. For cool season turfgrasses, effective summer stress spray programs require a preventative and integrated approach. Start programs at least 4-6 weeks prior to the onset of biotic (i.e. pathogen) or abiotic (i.e. heat, drought, salt) stress. For best performance, tank-mix efficient GRIGG Proven Foliar formulations, including those containing phosphite (H3PO3), with the correct fungicide for optimum turf performance and disease control. Over the years, our research results document a significant positive interaction between GRIGG Proven Foliar formulations and contact or localized penetrant fungicides.

4 In what other ways do your products make superintendents/golf courses successful?

A: GRIGG products are science-based and research driven. Our products are backed by years of university and field-testing, highlighted by increased uptake efficiency and unparalleled agronomic support. This is why GRIGG products are used and trusted by some of the most notable golf courses in the world. When a turf manager needs the best, they turn to GRIGG because they know and trust that it will perform. When used correctly, GRIGG nutrient management programs offer the best turfgrass performance, environmental safety, and bottom line savings to golf course operations.

5 How do your products help improve golf course conditions and make them more playable?

A: Considering the intensity with which turfgrasses are managed on golf course putting greens today, superintendents rely on efficient and safe amino acid based nutrient formulations. GRIGG nutrient formulations provide a fast and overt improvement in turfgrass color and overall quality, plus they boost turfgrass vigor, improving its performance and playability. These effects are most notable during environmental stress, when a turf manager needs it most. This performance along with fine tuned control, color and vigor without excess shoot growth, offers the very best in playability standards. Our trials have evaluated GRIGG nutrient formulations compared to ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4 (applied at the same N rate) during stress associated with tournament preparation and the recovery phase. The GRIGG program offered better turf quality, color and uniformity during tournament preparation and faster overall recovery compared to the nitrogen and untreated controls.