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Copy link Biostimulant registration
STRI, Bingley 1970
Key Conclusions
The use of a H2Pro TriSmart programme in each of the trials clearly showed the benefit of utilising a good quality residual surfactant under these conditions. An increase in VMC% associated with significantly improved turf quality, colour, uniformity, density and NDVI was achieved.
These improvements in plant quality traits allow H2Pro TriSmart to be classified as a ‘non-microbial plant biostimulant’ under the new fertiliser regulations (EU 2019/1009).
Trial Details
Trial station
STRI, Bingley
Assessments
Turf quality, turf colour, turf uniformity, NDVI, volumetric moisture content and clippings dry weight.
Treatments
Four independent field trials were carried out at STRI, Bingley, UK. Each identical trial was located on a separate experimental area and so represented four slightly different soil types; sandy loam, loamy sand, and two varying sand constructions, and four different turf mixtures, varying amounts of Agrostis, Festuca and Poa annua mixes.
A randomised block trial with eight replications was designed where irrigated/rainfall control plots (evapotranspiration replacement irrigation programme when required), were compared with deficit-irrigation droughted control plots and deficit-irrigation droughted plots receiving an H2Pro TriSmart surfactant programme.
Forecast rainfall was prevented from impacting the trial by using trial covers. H2Pro TriSmart was applied at 25L/ha in 500L water followed by monthly applications at 10 L/ha in 500L water. The trial ran from June 2022 to September 2022. Regular monthly assessments of turf quality, turf colour, turf uniformity (all assessed visually 1-10 scale), turf uniformity(% live grass cover), NDVI (handheld meter), Volumetric moisture content (Delta-T theta probe to a 60 mm depth) and clippings dry weight, were made.
Trial area 2 at two time points illustrating the effectiveness of the imposed drought stress during the trial.
Treatments
Four independent field trials were carried out at STRI, Bingley, UK. Each identical trial was located on a separate experimental area and so represented four slightly different soil types; sandy loam, loamy sand, and two varying sand constructions, and four different turf mixtures, varying amounts of Agrostis, Festuca and Poa annua mixes.
A randomised block trial with eight replications was designed where irrigated/rainfall control plots (evapotranspiration replacement irrigation programme when required), were compared with deficit-irrigation droughted control plots and deficit-irrigation droughted plots receiving an H2Pro TriSmart surfactant programme.
Forecast rainfall was prevented from impacting the trial by using trial covers. H2Pro TriSmart was applied at 25L/ha in 500L water followed by monthly applications at 10 L/ha in 500L water. The trial ran from June 2022 to September 2022. Regular monthly assessments of turf quality, turf colour, turf uniformity (all assessed visually 1-10 scale), turf uniformity(% live grass cover), NDVI (handheld meter), Volumetric moisture content (Delta-T theta probe to a 60 mm depth) and clippings dry weight, were made.
Trial area 2 at two time points illustrating the effectiveness of the imposed drought stress during the trial.
Results
The imposed drought stress across all four trials utilising rain covers during forecast rainfall was effective with clear abiotic stress showing over all unirrigated plots on the trials (see images). Volumetric moisture content (VMC%) results were significantly greater (P<0.05) for ‘control-irrigated’ plots when compared with ‘control-deficit’ plots for both dates shown demonstrating that the drought stress regime was effective in reducing soil moisture contents (Table 1). H2Pro TriSmart treated plots which received the equivalent moisture as ‘control-deficit’ plots maintained significantly greater VMC% for all four trials on both dates shown demonstrating that the moisture saving value of such a programme.
A range of additional measured turf characteristics all showed significant differences between ‘control-deficit’ and ‘control-irrigated’ for all four trial sites, demonstrating that the imposed drought-stress significantly reduced turf quality, colour, uniformity, density and NDVI on a number of measurement dates (only August data shown). The addition of an H2Pro TriSmart programme significantly increased measurements of turf colour, quality, uniformity, density and NDVI on every occasion for nearly all trial sites (only trial area 1, turf density was not significant) demonstrating the value of following such a wetting agent programme.
Table 1 (below). Mean volumetric moisture content (%) for two assessment dates (July & September). Different letters indicate significant (P<0.05) difference between means.
Table 2 (below). Turf assessment results for a single date (August 22). Different letters indicate significant (P<0.05) difference between means.
Table 2. Turf assessment results for a single date (August 22). Different letters indicate significant (P<0.05) difference between means.
