6/23/2020 - By John Keeler

We’ve all seen this graph many times before, and for some reason, we’ve accepted the results. As you can see in the graph, we’re heading into the season of root decline, which can be catastrophic for turf. Roots are the foundation of your turfgrass plant—the­ legs if you will. Without roots, you have no plant, and now is NOT the time to lose roots. This time of year, you should be asking yourself each and every day, how have I promoted rooting today?

It's time to change this graph, but how do we do that? In one word...biostimulants! Biostimulants are made up of a variety of biological substances, microorganisms, and compounds that can be applied directly to plants, seeds, or soil to improve a plant’s vigor, increase crop yields, and relieve plant stress. The use of biostimulants and micronutrients promotes root development, stress tolerance, and gives you great color. This in turn gives you a stronger, healthier plant. Biostimulants can assist you, the turfgrass manager, in surviving a dry, hot, high-salinity, and stress-riddled summer. There are many forms of biostimulants, but the two I would like to talk about are Amino Acids and Seaweed Extract.

Amino Acids may be some of the most important supplements available to give your plants. They’re quite literally the foundation of life, especially when it comes to plants. Amino acids increase stress tolerance, promote root mass development, and stimulate photosynthesis. Harrell’s Amino Pro V fertilizer (an enzymatically derived, plant-based protein hydrolysate) is rapidly absorbed by leaves, shoots, and roots. It’s also very mobile in plants and will move freely throughout your plant. It’s a highly concentrated, peptide-based amino acid source. Peptides (short chains of amino acids linked together) play an active role in response to environmental stress, nutrient chelation and nutrient uptake. The peptides in Amino Pro V are a result of the protein hydrolysis method utilized in the development of the product. Harrell’s uses an enzymatic—rather than chemical—process to break down the plant-based protein. This creates the peptide chains and ensures that the biological activity of the amino acids is not affected, as it can be if processed through chemical hydrolysis.

Another biostimulant, Seaweed Extract, provides stress insurance for your plants because it promotes cell division and plays a role in many plant processes. Seaweed Extract stimulates the production of powerful antioxidants, which protect the plant from harmful free radicals that can form during periods of stress. Cell division naturally decreases during summer months when plants are under stress and antioxidant production is in greater need. So, what can you do to help? Research at a number of universities has consistently shown that products containing Seaweed Extract, such as the Harrell’s Bio-MAX line of fertility products, increase antioxidant production in turf and can improve the performance of turf during periods of heat stress. Seaweed Extract can promote stress tolerance, photosynthesis, and root development, but the key to getting the benefits of Seaweed Extract is to begin making applications prior to the onset of extreme heat and to continue with regular applications throughout the heat stress period. By applying Seaweed Extract prior to the onset of stress, you’re basically boosting your plant’s immune system and setting it up to better handle stress.
So, do yourself a favor and get peace of mind with biostimulants. Stop root decline; promote rooting. Let’s #FlattenTheCurve!! Stimulate your roots today! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your local Harrell’s representative to learn more.