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May 2007
TURF RUNDOWN
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by Tim Butler, featured in Pitchcare , April 2007
Sports turf managers have an array of products at their disposal including humic acid products. The use of humic acids along with seaweed products has gained in momentum in recent years, although much uncertainty exists regarding the potential benefits of humic acid application.
What are Humic Acids?
Humic acids are naturally occurring organic materials derived from biological sources. They typically are mixtures of several types of chemical compounds, including humic acids, fulvic acids and humans and are generally characterised as being yellow to black in colour, of high molecular refractomery and molecular weight. Leonardite is a common source of humic acid. Humic acid (HA) is the major extractable component of soil humic substances and it is thought to be a complex mix of aromatic macromolecules with amino acids, amino sugars, peptides, aliphatic acids and other apiphatic compounds involved in linkages between the aromatic groups. (4)
Potential Benefits of Humic Acid Application
Organic matter provides the raw material for nutrient cycling processes; it is a major source of natural "glue" that results in the aggregation of soil separates to form secondary structure.
These aggregates are also critical to the development of microhabitats for beneficial soil microorganisms. Adding humic substances to the soil generally results in an increase in the number of soil organisms, which leads to an increase in soil organic matter levels. (5,12) In many instances, the build up of organic matter may be perceived as unfavourable, although there are situations where some controlled organic matter accumulation may be beneficial.
It has been recognised for centuries that soils containing adequate organic matter are typically more productive than sandy ones and that if sufficient humic substances are present, then up to 35% of the soluble nitrogen applied to soils as fertiliser can be retained in the soil in organic forms. (8)
The use of heavy sand applications to increase the drainage potential of sports turf root zones inevitably means that moisture holding capacity and organic matter levels are depleted. (1)
Drought resistance of grass may be poor, (due to inadequate root system growth and nutrient retention), resulting in potential leaching of soluble nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium during wet weather conditions or under heavy irrigation if organic matter is lacking. When combined with accepted cultural management practises, organic amendments can effect a long-term and perhaps permanent change in the soil environment to favour disease-suppressive microbes, making disease management more sustainable. (9)
Coupled with this, humic acids relatively low rate of decomposition and high nitrogen content may help to allow a steady supply of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients to the growing plant as well as to the microflora active in humus degradation. (5)
The soil organic fraction known as humus, serves both as a soil conditioner and as a repository for available plant nutrients. Soil microorganisms play a major role in both its formation and its decomposition. (7)
Humic substances may enhance the uptake of minerals through the stimulation of microbial activity. (8) Studies of the effects of humic substances on plant growth, under conditions of adequate mineral nutrition, consistently show positive effects on plant biomass. (2) Humic substances have been reported to influence plant growth both directly and indirectly. The indirect effects of humic compounds on soil fertility include:
• Increase in the soil microbial population including beneficial microorganisms
• Improved soil structure
• Increase in the cation exchange capacity and the pH buffering capacity of the soil.
Directly, humic acid compounds may have various biochemical effects either at cell wall, membrane level or in the cytoplasm, including increased photosynthesis and respiration rates in plants, enhanced protein synthesis and plant hormone like activity. (2)
Humic substances may possibly enhance the uptake of minerals through the stimulation of microbiological activity. (8) When adequate humic substances are present within the soil, the requirement for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertiliser applications may be reduced. (10)
Humic substances actually coat mineral surfaces with a membrane-like bi-layer, which aids in the solubilisation of otherwise insoluble compounds by dissolving, complexing, and chelating the dissolved nutrients. (8)
Humic acids have been shown to improve phosphate availability and uptake by crop plants. Several mechanisms for this phosphorus uptake increase have been cited including (a) competing ions are complexed by humic acids, (b) amine groups complex phosphates, (c) root interception is increased due to greater root development and root area caused by humic acid application and, (d) humic acids encourage mycorhizal fungi symbiosis.(3)
Humic acids have the ability to transform solid phase forms of micronutrient cations such as Fe3+, Fe2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+ into soluble metal complexes, which are available to plants. (11) Humic substances have a very profound influence on the growth of plant roots. When humic acids and/or fulvic acids are applied to soil, enhancement of root initiation and increased root growth may be observed. (10)
About the author
Tim Butler is studying for a Ph.D. in Sportsturf Science at both University College Dublin, Ireland and Michigan State University, U.S.A. Contact Tim at timmbutler@hotmail.com
Literature Cited
1. Baker, S.W. 1984. Long-term effects of three amendment materials on the moisture retention characteristics of a sand-soil mix. Journal of the Sports Turf Research Institute 60: 61-65.
2. Chen, Y. and Aviad, T.A. 1990. Effects of humic substances on plant growth. P.161-186. In: McCarthy, P., Clapp, C.E., Malcolm, R.L. and Bloom, P.R. Humic Substances in Soil and Crop Sciences. American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin.
3. Day, K.S., Thornton, R. and Kreeft, H. 2000. Humic acid products for improved phosphorus nutrient management. p. 321-325. In: Ghabbour, E.A. and Davies, G. (eds.). Humic Substances: versatile components of plants, soils and water. The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge.
4. Hatcher, P.G., Schnitzer, M., Dennis, L.W. and Maciel, G.E. 1981. Ammaticity of humic substances in soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal 45: 1089-1094.
5. Henis, Y. 1986. Soil microorganisms, soil organic matter and soil fertility. p. 159-168. In: Chen, Y. and Avnimelech, Y. (eds.). The Role of Organic Matter in Modern Agriculture. Martinus Nijhoff, Boston.
6. Holl, B. 2003. Organic amandments & biosolids in turfgrass management [Online].Available at www.golfandsportsturf.com.au/article.asp?ArticleID=344
7. Lebedjantez, A.N. 1924. Drying of the soil as one of natural factors in maintaining soil fertility. Soil Science 18: 419-447.
8. Mayhew, L. 2004. Humic substances in biological agriculture [Online]. Available at www.acresusa.com/toolbox/reprints/Jan04_Humic%20Substances.pdf
9. Nelson, E.B. 1997a. Biological control of turfgrass diseases [Online]. Available at www.gcsaa.org/gcm/1997/july97/07bio.html
10. Pettit, R.E. 2004. Organic matter, humus, humate, humic acid, fulvic acid and humin: their importance in soil fertility and plant health [Online]. Available at
www.humate.info/mainpage.htm
11. Raviv, M., Chen, Yand Inbar, Y. 1986. Peat and peat substitutes as growth media for container grown plants. p. 257-287. In: Chen, Y. and Avnimelech, Y. (eds.). The Role of Organic Matter in Modern Agriculture. Martinus Nijhoff, Boston.
12. Visser, S.A. 1985. Physiological action of humic substances on microbial cells. Soil Biological Biochemistry 17: 457-462.
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The 2-Minute Tip for Success
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You know that training is vital for the safety and productivity of your crew. Obviously, you instruct your staff about what tasks to do and train them on how to do them. You may pop in a training video occasionally on a rainy day. But, have you developed a formalized crew training program that will improve the effectiveness, efficiency and morale of your staff? If you do not have a program in place, consider these techniques to get the most out of your training time.
1. Develop a cross training plan – within your team and cross departmentally. Among life's inevitabilities are employee absences, and you have to plan for them. If your staffers are cross-trained, you can quickly plug critical gaps without calling in temporary workers, running up overtime costs, or filling in for the absent worker yourself. Cross training of your crew outside of your team has many benefits, too. It exposes your staff to the responsibilities of other departments, which creates a better understanding and appreciation for that department’s efforts. The end result is a lessening of “competitiveness”, an increase in camaraderie, an opportunity to share staff during vacations and illnesses, and a focus on achieving the facilities’ goals. Your employee retention will increase due to the satisfaction of your crew learning new tasks. This also can create new job opportunities within your organization.
2. Consider developing a regular training schedule. Institutionalize a regular time for formalized training, i.e., the 3rd Monday of every month at 8 a.m. Putting it on the schedule and publicizing it helps you and your team to commit to it.
3. Seize the moment. Training is very effective when it occurs in quick response to a need. So even though you are elbow deep in something else, and you have formal training slotted for a different timeframe, you should make every effort to satisfy an immediate need for information.
4. Involve your crew in planning. People gravitate to what they like and are more engaged if they are involved. Rather than selecting the training topics, ask your crew what they need and what they want to learn. If you have a large crew, consider appointing a small subgroup to bring forward ideas.
5. Involve your crew in teaching. Consider having a different crew member teach a training session each time. It is a fact that peer-taught training is a successful method that helps the trainees to more quickly grasp concepts and apply the learning to their jobs. This is also an excellent professional development exercise for the trainer.
6. Use training time for non-technical improvement. It’s a simple fact that employees fail in their jobs because of an inability to develop a trusting relationship with you and others. Building good relationships is a direct result of being able to communicate well. Consider bringing in a speaker from a local community college, the Dale Carnegie chapter or a trainer from a large corporation in your area, to present techniques to your group about how to strengthen their communications skills. Other good topics to consider are improving your writing skills, improving your presentation skills, stress management, the importance of good ethics, etc.
7. Create a better work environment through diversity. Meeting your facilities expectations demands that you incorporate strategies to understand other cultures. Consider hosting brown bag lunches (provide lunch) and have discussion about the various cultures represented on your staff and by your constituencies. Do you have anyone on your crew who is Hispanic? Consider having lunchtime training on learning basic Spanish, taught by these crew members.
8. Use demonstration techniques. When training your crew on a new technique, product or piece of equipment follow this process: *
• Begin the process by having the trainees observe, from alongside, the trainer as the trainer actually performs the job.
• Show the workers how to perform the task and explain the key elements. Be sure to explain why this task must be done, when it is done, why it is important that it be done correctly and the impact if it is not done correctly.
• Allow the workers a second opportunity to watch the trainer to perform the task. The first time through, the trainer was probably not performing the task at the same rate of speed as normal because conversation is interspersed with the demonstration. This second time through, the workers are simply watching so that the trainer can perform the task at "production speed."
• Allow the workers to perform simple elements of the task. In this phase of the instruction, the trainer and trainees are performing the task together with the trainee performing at least some the task and the trainer coaching as necessary.
• Allow worker to perform the entire task with coaching as necessary from the trainer. Ideally, this is a one-try operation.
• Observe the workers performing the entire task without supervision. For each task, this is the "final test." When each worker can perform the task without supervision, he or she is considered trained.
• Allow workers to perform task without continued supervision. At this point the trainee's training for that particular task has been completed.
9. Use your equipment and product suppliers for industry insights. Of course this group provides a logical, ready-made cadre of trainers for your staff on products and equipment. But, these sales and technical representatives also have a wealth of industry insight. They visit many athletic facilities and see many different aspects of the industry. Invite them to provide an “Industry Insights” session, which should create a lot of discussion.
10. Leverage local chapter and STMA annual conference education. Everyone on your staff will likely not be able attend every educational session offered by your local chapter or the STMA national conference. Hold a brown bag (provide lunch) session and have each person who was able to attend give a short synopsis of what they learned at the external educational event.
*Pete Blair Technical Training Tips, www.peteblair.com
Click here for 5 great training resources:
1. Mound-building and Home Plate Maintenance www.STMA.org
2. The ABCs of Quality Groundskeeping http://www.gmsforsportsfields.com/
3. Crew Training – SVW Online http://www.svwonline.com/products.php
4. OSHA Compliance Safety Videos – The Training Network http://www.safetytrainingnetwork.com/
5. Pesticides Health & Safety – Worker Safety & Training http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/worker.htm
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News You Can Use
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Nineteen committees and task groups are working zealously to provide input and guidance to STMA staff on the development of programs and services. These programs and services will help meet the needs of members.
For example, the Information Outreach Committee, chaired by Darian Daily, is screening and compiling websites that provide solid technical information to sports field managers. The committee is also pulling together comprehensive information to address the top challenges facing members. When good information about a topic does not exist, this highly engaged committee is actually developing the information. Look for the results of their work on line on STMA’s website over the next several months. Also, watch for the great work of all of STMA’s committees throughout the rest of the year.
Each STMA committee has a board member serving on it, either as the chairperson or as a liaison. This process helps keep information flowing from the committee to the board. In addition, as each committee meets via teleconference, outcomes are prepared and progress is tracked.
To see the purpose of each committee and who is serving on committees, click here.
Dr. Kneebone Passes Away
STMA has lost another icon in the sports turf field. Dr. William (Bob) Kneebone, STMA’s first honorary lifetime member passed away April 19 in Tucson, Ariz. Dr. Kneebone was Professor of Agronomy at the University of Arizona and was one of the pioneers in turfgrass breeding until his retirement in 1985. In 1966, he published this treatise on bermudagrass, which is the leading warm season grass for sports turf in the United States. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Tucson in memory of William R. Kneebone. To read Dr. Kneebone’s article, click here.
New Merchandise Available to Members!
STMA has launched a new merchandise program that offers a broader selection of classic, logoed shirts, jackets, and other apparel. To view the catalog, click here. STMA’s merchandise partner, Embroid-Me, will take your order, embroider a custom STMA logo on your apparel, then ship it directly to you within a quick timeframe. Chapters can call to place bulk orders for discounts.
Call STMA Headquarters at 800-323-3875 for information on purchasing the hats and thermal mugs (limited quantities available).
Showcase your pride in STMA — Wear STMA merchandise!
2008 Conference Enhancement — More Education!
When you attend the 2008 Conference in Phoenix Jan. 15 — 19, 2008, expect more education.
The conference begins on Tuesday this year with a Seminar-on-Wheels event. A second Seminar-on-Wheels will take place on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, you will have the opportunity to take concentrated education through one of the new STMA Institutes. Two Institutes will be offered: one for the less experienced and one for the more experienced sports turf manager. The Institutes conclude at noon, and STMA is offering pre-conference workshops that afternoon. These workshops are included in the conference package registration fee. Also new this year is early morning ‘Innovative Sessions’ presented by your peers, and the building of an actual baseball mound on the trade show floor.
As always, food is included in the registration fee. STMA provides breakfasts, lunches, receptions and the Awards Banquet dinner in the conference package.
Several weeks ago, STMA publicized its “Call for Presentations” for conference education ideas for the 2008 conference. The response was tremendous, and STMA received more than 100 submittals — each outlining an excellent program. Not every program can be included in the 2008 conference, but the Conference Education Subcommittee is committed to creating a rich educational event for you in January.
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