Herveld, The Netherlands
Lumbricus, Environmental Research & Consultancy
Turfgrass (Agrostis capillaris, Festuca rubra commutata)
RootFit, Flexx, Topmix 8-5-8, FertAmino 7-2-2 & PlantForce
Objective
To evaluate the effectiveness of fertiliser programs including nutrients and biostimulants reducing abiotic stress and disease susceptibility in turfgrass within the framework of Integrated Stress and Pest Management, using an outdoor pot experiment with two coolseason golf course turfgrass species.
Treatments
The experiment was conducted as a two-way factorial randomised block design with four replicates, including two cool-season turfgrass species. Each species received a single nitrogen fertilisation, with 80 kg N/ha/yr for Agrostis and 60 kg N/ha/yr for Festuca, and was treated with nine product or product combinations plus an unfertilised control. Turfgrass was grown in outdoor PVC pots (12.5 L) constructed as USGA-specification sand greens.
- The GrowSolutions strategy (treatment H) consistently delivered the highest turfgrass quality across all key parameters (grass index, NDVI, chlorophyll, vitality, and sod density).
- Disease incidence was the lowest, demonstrating effective stress resilience under drought, fluctuating moisture, and high temperatures.
Grass index & chlorophyll
Treatment H (GrowSolutions) consistently resulted in one of the highest grass index, indicating strong performance under the trial conditions, and showed a tendency toward the highest chlorophyll levels, reflecting improved turfgrass energy status.
NDVI & vitality index
DVI declined slightly over time due to natural progression and disease pressure. Treatment H (GrowSolutions) showed consistently higher NDVI values over time, indicating maintained turf density and vigour compared with other treatments, and resulted in the highest vitality index compared with the control and other treatments, indicating improved turfgrass growth and vigour.
Sod density & diseases
Treatment H (GrowSolutions) consistently resulted in high sod density compared with the control and other treatments, indicating maintained turf firmness and growth over time. Disease pressure increased toward the end of the study, particularly under fluctuating moisture and high temperatures, and was generally higher in Agrostis capillaris than in Festuca rubra. Treatment H (GrowSolutions) consistently resulted in the lowest disease incidence and reduced affected area compared with the control and other treatments, indicating lower stress levels and strong disease resilience in the turfgrass.
The GrowSolutions strategy (treatment H) effectively combined biostimulant action with nutrient management to enhance turf performance. Treated turf maintained high density, vigour, chlorophyll content and sod firmness, and showed the lowest disease incidence throughout the trial. Overall, the strategy delivered resilient, high-quality turf with improved growth, stress tolerance and health in both Agrostis capillaris and Festuca rubra.
