Research Update

Ana-Lync is a proprietary soil testing system and an expert interpretive program for identifying and prioritizing challenges for crops (including turfgrass) growing in various soils. Floratine Products Group, Inc.’s proprietary blend of nutrients and biostimulants claims to enhance nutrient uptake into the plants—impacting turfgrass health, quality, and appearance. The first year of an evaluation of a Ana-Lync system approach to identifying and correcting nutrient deficiencies utilizing products with claims of enhanced nutrient uptake and efficiency applied to Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) was performed in 2015 at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. The objectives of this study were to determine whether Ana-Lync could identify the nutritional deficiencies and recommend nutritional inputs and positively impact turfgrass growth, appearance, and quality. The crown density, NDVI, and root biomass and depth all were increased when using the Ana-Lync based nutrient program. Verdure and shoot height and biomass were generally not impacted. Nutrient concentrations were also increased with P and K increased at one location and Zn, Mn, and B increased at both locations. Although just the first year of the trial, these results are very promising and warrant further evaluation.

Astron, Knife Plus, ProteSyn, Floradox Pro, P-48, Power 23-0-0, and PK Fight

• Plant health is a key factor that determines disease severity.

• Carbohydrate starved annual bluegrass is more susceptible to anthracnose.

• Resistance to systemic fungicides (site-specific mode of action) is a major concern.

• Low-rate soluble nitrogen fertilization (.10 lbs. per 1,000) every 7 days has the greatest reduction in anthracnose.

• Test plots with Floratine nutrition and low dose contact fungicides had lower % of disease than fungicide only plots.

• Trial results offer superintendents options for maintaining healthy turf AND reducing the risks of systemic fungicide resistance.

• Floratine’s foliar delivery technology enhanced nutrient uptake and fungicide efficacy.

• ALL plots except Floratine received 1/2 lb. of nitrogen per month from a granular 18-4-12 product, including control plots. The Floratine plots received only an initial "background" application of this fertilizer. Once the study started, the only fertility applied to the Floratine plots came from Floratine foliar products. The total nitrogen fertility was essentially the same on all treatments.

MSU Phosporous study shows positive results conducted by Dr. Joe Vargas

Astron

First year no disease pressure. Second year, damage from summer patch reduced on Astron alone and Astron/fungicide plots. “It demonstrated that by keeping the grass healthy you can reduce the amount of injury caused by a stress disease like summer patch.” - Vargas

PK Fight and Biostimulants

First year study as unlabeled, second year as labeled foliar nutrient products. Both years, all Floratine products produced superior turf compared to control and equal or close to ratings on plots using two fungicide combinations.

Per"4"Max , 23-0-0, Knife Plus, Protesyn

TAKE AWAY SUMMARY OF THE RESEARCH IN 2009 ON CORE CULTIVATON RECOVERY CONDUCTED AT VIRGINIA TECH AND PURDUE UNIVERSITIES

Dr. Tom Watschke, Professor Emeritus, Penn State University

Director, Field Research, Floratine Products Group

---Two locations (Va. Tech and Purdue) were chosen in order to assess the reproducibility of results from different geographic areas

---Both research centers conducted the trials using identical protocols (methods, materials, treatments, and evaluation parameters)

---The rate of core cultivation closure, as a measure of mechanical stress resistance, was chosen because it could be imposed on the site via the same means and intensity. Further, other stresses (environmental for example) could not be duplicated exactly at two locations. Also, if pre-stress conditioning could be shown to enhance mechanical stress tolerance, reasonable assumptions could be made about other types of stresses.

---Pre-stress conditioning is a management approach used by many to enhance the ability of turfgrasses to handle stresses when they occur. It is a pro-active management strategy which involves the use of bio-stimulants, foliar nutrition, and, at times, plant growth regulators. These substances have been consistently shown to have a positive influence on the ability of turfgrasses to have nutritional soundness, active and balanced hormone/auxin activities, and increased levels of anti-oxidants. In the Virginia Tech and Purdue studies, all the treatments were applied prior to the core cultivation and none after the fact. Therefore, the positive results that occurred in both locations (quicker core cultivation hole closure and higher quality turf) were the result of the material applications that occurred prior to the core cultivation.

---The results of these two trials, which were both quantitative and qualitative and were mimics of each other, confirmed, with significance, that the combination of Floratine products, applied as a pro-active, pre-stress management strategy enhanced the treated turf’s ability to tolerate the mechanical stress and stimulated recovery from it.

The combination of Floratine products provided the necessary ingredients needed by the turf in order for it to function at a metabolic peak when the stress occurred (a classic example of how successful pro-active management can be, rather than re-active, which would be to treat the turf after the stress has occurred). The time has come to manage turfgrasses pro-actively rather than waiting for the turf to exhibit some sign that it is not doing well and in need of help.

Astron, Knife, and Renaissance

Astron demonstrated significant improvements in root development over N and two other biostimulants; vegetative reproduction under high temperature and humidity stress noted by researchers.

Astron, Knife

Both products performed far above check and iron chelate treatment and on par with heavy N applications.

Astron

Dr. Dernoeden hypothesized that there may be some slight increase of clippings when Astron is used concurrently with Primo Maxx when no nitrogen applied (see N.C. State, 2001, and Penn State University, 2002, Syngenta-Canada conclusions).

Maxiplex

Maxiplex increased water retention 66-70% in 100% sand and 77% in an 80-20 (peat) green.

Maxiplex, CalpHlex, Retain (Soil Treatments)

Germinex Talc (Biostimulant Seed Treatment)

Floratine treatment was top finisher in quality among a large group of fertilizers and biostimulants. Researchers killed plots three months after germination with a post emergent herbicide misapplication.

Astron and low N & K

Significant root growth increase over 4 month period in seven of nine cultivars. Higher quality ratings with Astron treatments on 7 out of 9 cultivars (on one other cultivar Astron was equal to control, and control was better than Astron with one cultivar).

CalpHlex, Maxiplex, Retain, and Low N

Floratine at 0.5 lbs N plot quality as good “as Nutraline, Polyon, Optimil, and Milorganite at 2 lbs N” - Diesburg.

Per"4"Max , Power 23-0-0, Knife Plus, Protesyn

TAKE AWAY SUMMARY OF THE RESEARCH IN 2009 ON CORE CULTIVATON RECOVERY CONDUCTED AT VIRGINIA TECH AND PURDUE UNIVERSITIES

Dr. Tom Watschke, Professor Emeritus, Penn State University

Director, Field Research, Floratine Products Group

---Two locations (Va. Tech and Purdue) were chosen in order to assess the reproducibility of results from different geographic areas

---Both research centers conducted the trials using identical protocols (methods, materials, treatments, and evaluation parameters)

---The rate of core cultivation closure, as a measure of mechanical stress resistance, was chosen because it could be imposed on the site via the same means and intensity. Further, other stresses (environmental for example) could not be duplicated exactly at two locations. Also, if pre-stress conditioning could be shown to enhance mechanical stress tolerance, reasonable assumptions could be made about other types of stresses.

---Pre-stress conditioning is a management approach used by many to enhance the ability of turfgrasses to handle stresses when they occur. It is a pro-active management strategy which involves the use of bio-stimulants, foliar nutrition, and, at times, plant growth regulators. These substances have been consistently shown to have a positive influence on the ability of turfgrasses to have nutritional soundness, active and balanced hormone/auxin activities, and increased levels of anti-oxidants. In the Virginia Tech and Purdue studies, all the treatments were applied prior to the core cultivation and none after the fact. Therefore, the positive results that occurred in both locations (quicker core cultivation hole closure and higher quality turf) were the result of the material applications that occurred prior to the core cultivation.

---The results of these two trials, which were both quantitative and qualitative and were mimics of each other, confirmed, with significance, that the combination of Floratine products, applied as a pro-active, pre-stress management strategy enhanced the treated turf’s ability to tolerate the mechanical stress and stimulated recovery from it.

The combination of Floratine products provided the necessary ingredients needed by the turf in order for it to function at a metabolic peak when the stress occurred (a classic example of how successful pro-active management can be, rather than re-active, which would be to treat the turf after the stress has occurred). The time has come to manage turfgrasses pro-actively rather than waiting for the turf to exhibit some sign that it is not doing well and in need of help.

Raider TG

1992 experimental applications of Raider TG to determine impact on fungicide effectiveness on Penneagle and Penncross bentgrass. Raider increased effectiveness with Banner in first test but no increase in second.

Repeat in 1993 showed increased statistical control in some instances, no statistical differences in others.

Astron

1. Drought resistance and root and topical growth improved on Kentucky Bluegrass.
2. Wilt recovery improved on Tall Fescue (Rebel 11).
3. Root development and sod strength improved on Tall Fescue (Rebel Jr.).

Floradox, Oxyflor, ProteSyn

1. Molecular studies on Floradox effect on defense protein gene transcriptionenhancement in turfgrass. Results positive.
2. Oxyflor as an agent to deliver increased O2 to rootzone. Results positive.
3. ProteSyn as an agent to enhance Floradox increased activity of plant immune system. Results inconclusive.

Astron, Perk Up, Maxiplex

Some indications of higher ratings, but dry wilt procedures not replicative of naturally occurring wilt on golf greens. No statistical differences.

Astron

Less height of grass and no increase of clippings when Astron + N used with Primo as compared to Primo Maxx + N.

Addamax-TG (Biostimulant seed treatment)

(Note: Addamax was a liquid version of Germinex)

Treatments had significant positive effects on plant emergence, height, and early root development.

CalpHlex

Study designed to determine benefits of CalpHlex and sulphuric acid treatments on poor water quality and its saline effects on soil and turf. CalpHlex excelled in turf quality (color, density) improvements; significant soil pH, salt indicators (EC, SAR, sodium, chloride), and sulfate and chloride reductions. CalpHlex alone surpassed any benefits seen from sulfuric acid.

Astron, Primo Maxx, Trimmit

Over rating period, Astron had no adverse effect on reduced clippings of either Primo Maxx or Trimmit.

Biostimulants on university plots and two golf courses

Reports for both years showed no statistical improvements on university plots, despite photographic monitoring records indicating substantial rooting improvements and, at times, decreased dollar spot.

Ongoing at O.J. Noer Center and cooperating golf courses. These are comprehensive trials including soil evaluations and amendment to evaluate alternatives to traditional fertilizer applications on turfgrass.

Pervade

Pervade increased infiltration 27% and 42% over control. “Pervade is among the most effective products currently available.” - Kussow

Note: Dr. Kussow also validated effectiveness of one of FPG’s key organic components in ProteSyn and Floradox in 1995 tests.