Monday, November 13, 2006 - 12:45 PM
68-16

Agrostis Stolonifera Response to Microbial Inoculant and Seaweed Extract Application.

Tim, E. Butler1, Kevin, W. Frank1, and Alan, E. Hunter2. (1) Michigan State Univ, Plant and Soil Science Bldg, East Lansing, MI 48824, (2) Univ College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, Ireland

 

 

The use of biostimulants, which either feed indigenous microbial populations or add microorganisms to existing soils, is starting to gain popularity. Increasing the activity of benign soil microbes-especially in relatively sterile sand-constructed rootzones is of great importance because they may help to increase plant nutrient uptake and stress tolerance. The objectives of this research were to study the effect of applying a seaweed extract and a microbial inoculant on turfgrass growth, and nutrition. In a glasshouse experiment, rose pots measuring 15cm x 18cm (3L) were filled with a rootzone mixture to USGA specifications. The pots were divided into ten separate treatments.  Five treatments received two-thirds and five treatments received one-third of a recommended nutrient package. Separate treatments of bentonite clay carrier at the recommended rate of 12.5 gm.m-2,  seaweed extract at the recommended rate of 50 gm.m-2 and microbial inoculant (bacteria and fungi) at the recommended rate of 25 gm.m-2 were applied to both nutrient rates. An additional treatment containing a mixture of the seaweed extract and microbial inoculant at their respective recommended rates was applied to each nutrient rate. Control treatments were used which only received two-thirds and one-third nutrient rates. Grass weights, tissue N, P, K, Fe, and Mg concentrations and rootzone N, P, and K concentrations were measured on a monthly basis for three months. Grass colour was measured at the end of the experiment. The application of the seaweed extract/microbial inoculant, and the microbial inoculant treatments increased grass growth. Tissue N concentrations were significantly increased by the seaweed extract treatment on two measurement dates. Tissue K was increased on two measurement dates by the microbial inoculant treatment. The seaweed extract/microbial inoculant treatment significantly increased grass colour compared to the control.