The philosophy we use to guide our efforts here is based upon doing everything we can to enhance the natural processes of plant growth. Some of the long standing, traditional methods used throughout the agricultural world get results by overwhelming that system rather than by working within it. In some ways, we are putting a square peg into a round hole; if you use enough force it will fit, but it isn’t the most efficient way to go about it.
It has been documented that a significantly high percentage of active ingredients within granular fertilizer will never be accessible to the plant, which means we have long been paying for product we know is not being utilized. There are now available more cost effective organic options to the synthetics our industry has come to rely on but in many ways can no longer afford. As a turfgrass manager, my responsibility is to maximize results while keeping expenditures as low as possible, so we are transitioning that way.
As an individual concerned with the environment, I believe it is important to consider what happens to the chemicals we spray after they have been applied. That is what has impressed me as different about Geoponics as a company. Unlike most salesmen that come in and focus on results, their representatives spent time discussing how their products are designed with the environment in mind. I’m not the type to jump right in when it comes to the “next big thing,” but my interest was piqued, so I did some research. Once all my questions had been answered, I was comfortable to try some of their Earth Chemistries,™ specifically the Agriox and Penterra soil treatments.
But my main focus currently is on the role that carbon plays in plant health, which is why we are so intrigued by Carbotein and its various uses. The labor related benefits of working with a foliar are well known, but the potential savings of moving away from granular have not been very widely evaluated. We have seen some very promising results so far, enough so that we’re planning on purchasing in bulk next season, which will lower our cost per acre even more. It isn’t my personality to discuss our approach publicly, but I am more than willing to speak with anyone that has an interest in developing a more naturalistic fertility program.
Brian Sarvis
River Hills Golf & County Club
Little River, SC
October 2nd, 2008
I have always taken the “tried and true” approach to plant health, which is probably why I’m a little hesitant to try newer products. The fundamentals tend to be fairly elementary, of course, it’s just that in some ways “oxygen in a bag” seems TOO simple to be true. But it makes sense that healthier soil will grow healthier grass, and since Agriox was introduced to me by a sales representative that I respect a lot, and who really knows his chemistry, I decided to use it.
I was very impressed with the response I saw from a single application. We have some sealed off, high traffic areas which I always watch closely that made dramatic improvement in July and August. To make a recovery in those months is always a plus. The Agriox product was not a budgeted item, but it was well worth it. It will be a product that is part of my plan in the future.
Chris Simon
Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club
Chattanooga, TN
September 24th, 2008
I like to do what I can for the environment, and that’s what stuck with me the most since first learning about Geoponics at the CGCSA trade show, that they’re setting out to make a difference. I kept getting the testimonial emails, and then I saw some of my friends were using their products. Once I contacted them and heard what they were seeing, I felt comfortable giving Agriox a try. After a few applications I’ve seen a more efficient uptake of our granular, even when we’ve put out a growth regulator, and a longer residual from many of our other chemical applications.
But what I’m really hooked on is Penterra. The other day I was hand watering our putting green and got distracted for a minute. When I turned back around, I thought for a second I’d missed a spot because it was already dry. I have never seen a surfactant pull water so quickly off the canopy, and I’ve used them all. I’ll give them credit, it really does what they say it will do.
I’m not big on why or how a product works; if it improves my situation, that’s all that matters to me. Last month (August) I came in $2000 under budget, the first time I didn’t go over this year. I can’t say for sure why, but I know the only thing I’m doing different is using Agriox and Penterra. I believe Earth Chemistries can be the cornerstone of a program, and that Geoponics is in this business for the right reasons.
We have also used the aquatic products AquaKler and Accelerator. With the dry summer we’ve had, there’s been little if any natural water flowing into our front-side irrigation pond. When the temperatures went up, it became dead and stagnant with a horrific odor. Immediately after treatment, we noticed the release of dead organic matter and debris from the bottom. (A funny thing happened as we were applying the Accelerator; fish actually jumped out of the water as if they were saying “Thank You!” for the oxygen.) To this day, more than 45 days later, we have had NO PROBLEMS with this pond; it’s much more clear and has no odor.
Robby Henderson, Superintendent
Maggie Valley Club
Maggie Valley, NC
September 20th, 2008
Around this time last year (early August) I began to hear about a soil oxygen product being used in the area. Then the testimonials started coming in, and I decide to take a closer look. If it was making that big of a difference for courses dealing with bad soils, I wondered what it would do for my greens which were in pretty good condition already. Once I saw signs they were starting to get a little heavy – darkening some, with impeded water movement – I decided to get on the program and began applying Agriox mixed with Penterra. After just a few applications I can say my greens have been easier to maintain this season than at any point since I came here 4 years ago.
Specifically, July and August have been difficult with water management issues in the past. The Agriox program has simplified things and cut down on the amount of hand watering we’ve had to do by at least 80 percent. The greens that we usually have trouble keeping moisture in haven’t been nearly as bad with LDS, and I haven’t had the labor cost of chasing them 4 or 5 days a week either, which adds up pretty quick. More importantly, the grass just looks healthier, and I haven’t changed anything else in my program. I believe it is the oxygen getting down into the soil and alleviating the anaerobic conditions that is making the difference.
Clayton A. DuBose, CGCS
The Tradition Golf Club
Pawleys Island, SC
September 5th, 2008
We first applied Carbotein to our vegetable garden, and you could definitely tell a difference in color compared to previous years. The green was much darker, and the plants seemed to get established quicker. After seeing that, we sprayed a number of potted plants that were in pretty bad shape – half dead really – and they immediately started coming back beautifully with lots of dark green new growth. Carbotein was the only thing we put on them, so the product definitely works. Next we will be doing some applications in the greenhouse, and we’re looking forward to seeing what results we’ll get under more controlled conditions.
Kevin & Melanie Whitten, Owners
Gunther’s Greenhouse
Durham, NC
September 5th, 2008
Most superintendents don’t get to aerate as often as they would like, and that was something I have worked around for years, so I’m always looking to find other ways to raise my soil oxygen levels. Cultural practices help, but before learning about Agriox I wasn’t aware of a chemical product that would do the trick. I’m very happy with the conditions of my greens since we started using it, they look as good as they ever have, and I’ve noticed they recover from stress better than ever before. I sure am glad that it came along.
Mike Ray, Superintendent
Brevofield Golf Links
Wake Forest, NC
September 5th, 2008
With the increasing demand for education, more and more golf course superintendents are looking for new, cutting edge technologies to meet the ever changing demands placed on them due to growing environmental standards, all while maintaining confining budgets. Geoponics, together with Univar, was very pleased to be a part of this educational process between two neighboring turf regions. It was truly a rewarding experience to see the joining of two differing cultures for the specific cause of bettering our turf industry as a whole. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who made this union possible.
Agronomist Samuel Valentin and Agronomist Raul Perez from R. Maldonado & Co., Inc. (San Juan, Puerto Rico) visited with some of Naples, Florida’s golf courses to discuss some of the cultural and fertility practices of local superintendents with various fine, warm season grasses. Both Valentin and Perez state that environmentalism within the self-governing commonwealth of Puerto Rico is crucial for the future and stability of island’s tropical ecology. Valentin goes on to say, “In Puerto Rico, we are constantly looking at ways to reduce cost so that more people have the opportunity to protect the island’s soil and water resources. With regard to the benefits we are seeing, everyone can benefit from these programs.” It just goes to show that Together We Can Make A Difference!
Team Turf would like to share with you how golf course superintendents are reaching out to a growing Puerto Rican golf community. Below is a brief recap of their trip.
Naples National
Mr. Terry Wood, Golf Course Superintendent
Champion/Paspalum/419 Bermuda
While maintenance philosophies and practices will vary from one club to the next, Terry Wood explained that Champion Bermuda is a high maintenance turfgrass. Some of the most notable advantages, said Wood, is that it is finer and denser than that of other varieties he has managed. Wood continued Champion may require a little more attention, but the prominently noticeable recovery has definitely increased his appreciation for the variety.
Terry Wood explains the renovations Naples National is currently undertaking, as well as the benefits he has seen from the Agriox in both his greens and approaches.
Wood went on to share the benefits of Paspalum on the driving range and tees. He has noticed consistent color and manageability in both areas. He has plans to experiment with a new and upcoming variety of Bermuda called Celebration which boasts a cool season blue-green color and is said to be more drought and shade tolerant. Wood is firm believer in the conservation of natural resources and responsible environmental practices in both the management of turfgrass and his personal life as well.
The Quarry
Mr. Tim Haskins, Golf Course Superintendent
Paspalum
Haskins demonstrates how effective management of soils can be attained by using Agriox and Penterra, even shortly after nine inches of rain!
As we move into the future, fresh water will become more and more of an underlying issue for turf managers. Tim Haskins focused on the benefits of Paspalum and its tolerance to lower qualities of water and the benefits of water conservation. Haskins also elaborated that, although Paspalum will respond well to Nitrogen sources, our environment can benefit from the reduced amount of fertilizer needed for this particular species. He explained some of the challenges one could be faced with during establishment of this type of fine turf.
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
Mr. Brian Beckner, Golf Course Superintendent
TifEagle/419 Bermuda
Brian Beckner explained how important aerification and movement of water is through his TifEagle Bermuda greens. Beckner states that various practices from the use of two type of surfactant chemistries Humawet and Penterra assist in the management of water through the profile. Beckner elaborates further on how Agriox and its unique ability to increase dissolved oxygen within porespace water has dramatically reduced the need for outside sources of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in his high performance greens.
Brian Beckner demonstrates how proper aeration methods can greatly improve soil health.
Beckner also elaborated on the benefits of using organics in his fairways like Carbotein, stating he has seen tremendous improvements in the health and vigor of the turf he manages. Beckner is an immense advocate of environmental practices with regard to turf management and is continuously striving to better his knowledge, thus enhancing his pursuit of utmost professionalism for LaPlaya’s clientele and members.
The Strand Golf and Country Club
Mr. Scott Davis, Golf Course Superintendent
Floradwarf/419 Bermuda
Scott Davis explained the benefits and challenges he is faced with in his Floradwarf greens. Davis stated that Floradwarf Bermuda grows very tight and without a lot of grain which helps for roll consistency and speed. He went on to state that Floradwarf does not come without its own set up obstacles. One such obstacle is water. Consequently, he manages water on his greens very carefully with products like Humawet and Agriox. Davis said that this helps him keep the water in the root zone while saturating it with oxygen.
Davis also talked about how he maintains uniformity and plant health using the Grizzly Pro-Turf Program. He stated he has seen new growth and development from these economical environmental approaches, which has allowed for reallocation funds to other areas of his budget.
Scott Davis explains how managing Floradwarf can be a “whole different animal” which affords unique benefits to golfers.
August 21st, 2008
Our players expect a constant, quick, and smooth surface, but my grass has to be able to stand up to the heavy traffic of a busy resort environment and the stress of summer. I’ve used Agriox tank mixed with Humawet for the past year, ever since I met with a Geoponics Field Technician that suggested a program based on my specific situation. We go out at a 20 lbs./acre rate following aerification because we find our holes close up and heal quicker, which is a real help. The roots I have now are healthy, thick and long enough to hang out of the bottom of the tines, and the root mass holds together after the plugs are pushed and cleaned up.
Everything I’ve used from Geoponics has helped me get to where I need to be in one way or another. I had been using their foliar fertilizer Terrain, but found the green up to be more than I was looking for. After sharing my concerns with their technical staff, I was impressed to learn they took my feedback into account and created an analysis more suitable for bentgrass. I have since switched to Grizzly Northern to get the even feed I want with the color I prefer. I judge the state of my greens by keeping an eye on my clippings, and they are where I need them to be.
Over all I’ve seen a good return for my dollar, and I’ve talked to other superintendents that now use Geoponics products that are pleased with what they are seeing. Since we are cultivating healthier stands of turf, we can save a little here and there by cutting back on rates and spacing out, or even eliminating, certain treatments. It all adds up, and in the end you get your money back while being a good steward for the environment. I really believe that, or else I wouldn’t keep buying it.
Patrick Donelan, CGCS
Barefoot Resort & Golf
Myrtle Beach, SC
August 19th, 2008
When Agriox was introduced to me it seemed too good to be true. The fact that I hadn’t heard of a slow-release soil oxygen product like it before made me skeptical, but we had some spots on our Par-3 with heavy organic that made for a good trial. Once we saw the grass was becoming healthier and healing easier after aeration, we ordered a season’s worth for the championship course. The proof is in the pudding, and at our annual member/guest invitational recently (June ’08) our greens were as firm as we’ve ever had them despite putting out minimal water, in 100 degree temperatures, while double cutting and rolling all week.
I’m a big believer in the value of having high aerobic microbial counts, especially to help fight off pathogens, and in my view that is the primary benefit of increasing the dissolved oxygen in your soil moisture. We’ve also seen a reduction in the use of N, which shows me it is helping the plant to more completely access nutrients suspended in the soil. I have recommended the product to other superintendents around the country and will continue to do so. If any superintendents considering Agriox have doubts, I would take a call to discuss my positive experiences.
Sam Green, Superintendent
Eagle Point Golf Club
Wilmington, NC
June 10th, 2008
The first few times the Geoponics Consultant came by the course I ran him off because we get so many snake oil salesmen coming around. When somebody tells you they can put oxygen in your soil without aerating there’s no point in listening because everybody knows you can’t do that. If you could, then there would be another product like it, which there isn’t. But then I started talking to some other superintendents that were using Agriox and they told me they were seeing real benefits. Well, we can’t go off what we think, we have to go off what we know, so I tried it. After three applications I know for myself that it works because I’ve seen it intensify the effects of the other things we do.
It just makes sense that if your soil is healthy, then generally your grass will be too. Now when the bosses ask what’s wrong with the greens, which they all do, I just tell them “Nothing.” They like that answer. I’m very happy with the Penterra as well as the Agriox, and when people ask me what I’m doing to get them looking so good and playing so consistent, I recommend both products.
Wallace Chavis, Superintendent
Beau Rivage Golf Resort
Wilmington, NC
June 6th, 2008
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