H2Pro TriSmart as non-microbial plant biostimulant

In all four trials H2Pro TriSmart significantly (P<0.05) improved turf quality, turf colour, turf density, turf uniformity, NDVI, shoot dry weight and volumetric moisture content (VMC%) compared with the droughted control.

STRI trials ground, Bingley, UK

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).

 

Summary

  • H2Pro TriSmart was tested in four separate field trials completed Summer 2022 by STRI, Bingley, UK. Each treatment had an 8x replication per trial.
  • The four trial sites differed in soil / rootzone type and turf species, drought was imposed by withholding irrigation and covering the trial if rainfall forecast.
  • H2Pro TriSmart was applied initially at 25L in 500L water followed by monthly applications of 10L/ha in 500L water and compared with a droughted control treatment and an irrigated control treatment.
  • The research data set is significantly robust to allow a classification of H2Pro TriSmart as a ‘non-microbial plant biostimulant’ within the new fertiliser regulations (2019/1009).

Trial Details

Trial station

STRI trials ground, Bingley, UK

Crop

Turf

Product

TriSmart

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 trials ground, 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 a H2Pro Trismart surfactant programme.

 

Forecast rainfall was prevented from impacting the trial by using trial covers. H2Pro Trismart was applied at 25 L/ha in 500 L water followed by monthly applications of 10 L/ha in 500 L water. The trial commenced in June 2022 and ended in 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.

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 trials ground, 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 a H2Pro Trismart surfactant programme.

 

Forecast rainfall was prevented from impacting the trial by using trial covers. H2Pro Trismart was applied at 25 L/ha in 500 L water followed by monthly applications of 10 L/ha in 500 L water. The trial commenced in June 2022 and ended in 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.

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 (Image one). 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 one). H2Pro TriSmart treated plots which received the equivalent moisture as ‘control-deficit’ plots maintained significantly greater VMC% (16-54%) 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 a 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.

 

Trial 1Trial 2Trial 3Trial 4
July 22Control (deficit)16.1a14.7a16.6a17.1a
Control (irrigated)28.1b24.1b18.6b36.9b
H2Pro TriSmart19.4c18.0c19.3c23.0c
September 22Control (deficit)12.0a9.1a8.3a14.9a
Control (irrigated)22.6b13.8b14.6b27.4b
H2Pro TriSmart14.9c11.0c13.0b23.4c
Table 1. Mean volumetric moisture content (%) for two assessment dates (July & September). Different letters indicate significant (P<0.05) difference between means
Trial 1Trial 2Trial 3Trial 4
Turf Quality (1-10)Control (deficit)2.6a2.5a2.3a3.0a
Control (irrigated)6.7b4.6b6.0b6.8b
H2Pro Trismart3.2c4.1b4.1c4.5c
Turf Colour (1-10)Control (deficit)2.0a2.5a2.1a2.8a
Control (irrigated)7.1b4.6b6.5b6.8b
H2Pro Trismart3.1c3.8b4.2c4.5c
Turf Density (%)Control (deficit)31.2a22.5a25a36.2a
Control (irrigated)61.2b47.5b62.5b72.5b
H2Pro Trismart31.2a45.0b42.5b55c
Turf Uniformity (1-10)Control (deficit)1.6a2.1a1.8a2.7a
Control (irrigated)5.7b4.7b5.5b6.5b
H2Pro Trismart2.5c3.7b4.1c4.3c
NDVIControl (deficit)0.48a0.50a0.43a0.68a
Control (irrigated)0.72b0.68b0.72b0.81b
H2Pro Trismart0.54c0.62b0.60c0.78b

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