Soil-plant interactions and fertilizer impact for turfgrass research

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Soil-plant interactions and fertilizer impact for turfgrass research: ICL has been collaborating with Bangor University on a unique research project which is exploring soil-plant interactions and fertilizer impact for turfgrass. The results may well revolutionize the use of fertilizers and encourage sustainable innovation.

The research is being conducted by Anna Ray, who is working on her Masters by Research (MRes) and Dr Professor Davey Jones from Bangor University.

Soil-plant interactions and fertilizer impact for turfgrass research

Soil-plant interactions and fertilizer impact for turfgrass research

A key focus for the research is struvite: a slow-release, sustainable fertilizer that is extracted from wastewater and Dr Professor Davey Jones believes it could well be the future. “We grow food, people eat it, we excrete waste, and we extract the nutrients from that. Recycling on this level is revolutionary,” he said.

Anna is in her first year of the research project and has already reported some positive results – most notably after a 7-day fertilizer and microbial interaction assessment.

“The trial focused on the microbial activity in the soil and the impact of different fertilizers on it. Microbial communities are a key biological indicator for the soil and plant health, and the impact of fertilizer applications on this community is under-assessed. The work demonstrated that microbial communities can be impacted but they are resilient and recover relatively quickly. Struvite had a similar effect to our control (water) throughout the experiment suggesting it is environmentally friendly. A promising result,” she said.

With the human population and food production rising, using fertilizers is inevitable, but through careful product selection and accurate application, use of fertilizers can be improved and become more efficient.

“It is important to develop sustainable fertilizers, with a minimal environmental impact,” said Dr Professor Davey Jones. “Anna’s research will give us a better understanding of how fertilizers impact soil-plant interactions.”

Anna’s research was funded by a Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship (KESS 2), which is how Anna was connected to industry partner ICL. The collaboration with ICL gives Anna the opportunity to instantly present her ideas and results to the industry.

“When we are allowed to travel again, I will visit ICL to learn about the industry and present my research,” said Anna. “With ICL we discussed the objectives for both parties. It’s a partnership of designing experiments and I think it is important for academics to keep in touch with the industry and its needs.”

Dr Professor Davey Jones was also quick to praise the importance of the collaboration between academia and industry.

“The industry brings an economical and practical aspect to our research. We could engineer perfect fertilizers, but economically it will probably not work on mass scale. Researchers could gain knowledge that might take another 30 or 40 years before it is of commercial use.

“This union between academia and industry makes our research instantly valuable and it works perfectly for an urgent market need such as more sustainable fertilizer-solutions.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Andy Owen, ICL International Technical Manager, said: “ICL utilize struvite from a company called Ostara as part of our Sierrablen Plus Pearl product range. We know this recycled product is a sustainable option that also provides real turfgrass benefits. We’re committed to develop products that perform, so we are keen to understand the fertilizer-plant interaction in more detail.  The collaboration with Bangor University allows us to explore the science further and ensures we can be clear in our marketing and communication with our customers.”

In looking further ahead, Dr Professor Davey Jones hopes to continue the research to new and more sustainable fertilizer products and critically evaluate them against conventional products.

“There is so much more to discover. For instance, we still don’t entirely understand how roots and fertilizers interact and why some fertilizers suppress root growth while others promote it. An answer to these questions will bring us closer to the perfect fertilizer.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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Makita’s new XGT products

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Makita’s new XGT products: Makita has expanded its XGT 40V Max range of cordless power tools with the launch of four new brushless angle grinders – engineered to deliver the power needed for high-demand applications, with the added flexibility and improved safety of cordless.

Also added to the range is the CF001GZ 40V Max ‘Swing Fan’, ideal for keeping cool and air circulating in all seasons.

Makita's new XGT products

Makita’s new XGT products

Makita has added four new brushless angle grinders (GA022GZ, GA023GZ, GA028GZ and GA029Z) to its XGT 40V Max line up. Launched in June 2020, XGT 40V Max is the highest power cordless solution from Makita – offering the high output, durability and fast charge times needed for high-demand applications.

To maximise on-site productivity, the GA022GZ, GA023GZ, GA028GZ and GA029Z have been designed to withstand frequent heavy-duty cutting and grinding. Each model delivers a no load speed of 3,000-8,500rpm and features a variable speed dial, enabling operators to easily control and adjust the speed of the machine, depending on the application.

The machines are available with a slide switch (GA022GZ and GA023GZ) or paddle switch (GA028GZ and GA029Z) depending on preference and the GA022GZ and GA028GZ have a wheel diameter of 115mm and the GA023GZ and GA029Z both have a 125mm wheel diameter.

The GA022GZ, GA023GZ, GA028GZ and GA029Z also include Makita’s Auto-start Wireless System (AWS), which connects the machine to a compatible dust extractor via Bluetooth. This improves user safety and ensures that when the tool is in use, the extractor is automatically turned on – and when the tool is powered off, the extractor automatically stops.

With safety in mind, the machines feature Makita’s Active Feedback Sensing Technology (AFT), which shuts down the tool to protect the user if the rotation speed suddenly slows down and the Anti–Restart function prevents accidental start-up.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita said: “The XGT 40V Max range of tools is the most powerful cordless solution from Makita to date, providing users with the power needed for high-demand applications across a variety of sectors. For improved efficiency, XGT machines all benefit from Makita’s brushless motor and optimised charging process – keeping operators working for longer, disruption free.”

To make working on site more comfortable, Maita has also added is the cordless, portable CF001GZ 40V Max Swing Fan to its XGT range. The ultra-quiet fan has three wind speed settings (high, medium and low) and delivers a maximum air speed of 120m/min – 190m/min, depending on the setting chosen. The fan can run for up to 730 minutes when using a 2.5Ah battery without oscillation, or 655minutes using a 2.5Ah batteries with oscillation.

The CF001GZ weighs just 3.0kg and has been designed with a large carrying handle for easy handling. The front cover of the fan can be easily removed, allowing for quick and convenient cleaning.

For more information on Makita’s new range of XGT power tools, please visit: www.makitauk.com.

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Makita expands LXT range

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Makita expands LXT range: Makita has expanded its range of LXT cordless tools with the launch of the DPB183Z and DPB184Z Brushless Portable Band Saws.

The DPB183Z and DPB184Z offer the high-power and flexibility needed to tackle a wide range of metal-cutting tasks and are ideal for professional tradespeople working across sectors such as electrical, plumbing and metal fabrication.

Makita expands LXT range

Makita expands LXT range

The compact and lightweight design of the DPB183Z and DPB184Z (the DPB183Z weighs just 3.3kg and the DPB184Z weighs 3.6kg) makes them easy to manoeuvre around tight working spaces. Angled specifically for comfort, the DPB183Z and DPB184Z’s ergonomic handle design has been engineered to ensure ease of use in both horizontal and vertical operation, making these machines incredibly versatile. For stable and secure cutting, both machines include durable, lightweight aluminium housings, with an optional grip handle for even greater control.

The DPB183Z and DPB184Z benefit from Makita’s variable speed control, which allows operators to select the ideal cutting speed for each application simply by adjusting the dial. Constant speed control also provides stable and secure cutting, as the blade speed is maintained.

The twin LED job light with pre-glow function aids operators to accurately position the blade on the cutting line, for a straight, accurate cut. This is also ensured by the adjustable blade tracking, that can be repositioned simply by turning the screw located on the tools’ housing with the hex wrench provided.

Matt Chilton, Product Manager – Tools at Makita explains more: “The DPB183Z and DPB184Z both benefit from Makita’s brushless motor. With no carbon brushes in the motor causing friction, wear and tear is minimised. And, as no energy is lost through heat production, the DPB183Z and DPB184Z can continue to work for longer, maximising on-site productivity. Operators can also select blade speeds of 0 – 3.2 m/s, meaning cutting is fast and efficient.”

The DPB183Z can cut round pipe up to Ø66mm and square pipe up to 66x66mm, and the DPB184Z can cut round pipe up to Ø51mm and square pipe up to 51x51mm. The adjustable stopper plate means that both models can safely cut various sized materials and can easily cut close to walls and ceilings.

To find out more about Makita and its range of cordless machines please visit: www.makitauk.com

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Bionema appoints Stephen Pearce

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Bionema appoints Stephen Pearce: Bionema Ltd, a leading UK-based biopesticide technology developer, that specialises in chemical-free, biological crop protection for safe and sustainable agriculture, has announced the appointment of Stephen Pearce as Non-Executive Chair. 

Steve has more than 25 years of global experience in the Pharma, Biotech and Life Science industries and has served in senior positions in both public and private equity-owned companies – where  the development and implementation of successful transformational strategies are fundamental to companies’ sustainable growth.

Bionema appoints Stephen Pearce

Bionema appoints Stephen Pearce

He spent the last 12 years in the Life Science industry as Chief Procurement Officer for Arysta LifeScience – one of the world’s largest agrochemical companies. He was also part of a team that integrated several companies as part of a mergers and acquisitions strategy and was a key member of the alliance development team.

During his career, Steve has held senior global leadership and strategy development roles in technical sales, marketing, strategic sourcing and procurement, and alliance development. He spent several years in the US as Director of Biotechnology Research Business Development – a role dedicated to fundraising, developing and commercialising intellectual property, building commercial alliances with academic institutions and a state and federal lobbyist.

Prior to joining Arysta, Steve was based in Switzerland as the Global Head of Clinical Trial Outsourcing for a major Pharma company leading international teams across general medicines and oncology.

Commenting on his new role at Bionema, Steve says: “Bionema is a business that possesses and continues to develop a rich and cutting-edge pipeline of technologies and solutions that offers significant opportunity. The Bionema team are well placed, in terms of intellectual property and technology, to address the significant and growing need to provide innovative and sustainable technologies. With ever increasing regulation, growing consumer concerns over how food is produced and food safety there has never been a more important and opportune time to bring new, innovative and effective chemical-free solutions to the market in support of, and in response to, growing value chain demands. I look forward to working with the Bionema board of directors, management team and shareholders as we take the business forward.”

Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema, says: “Steve brings a broad and unique skill set in the areas of alliance and business development, mergers and acquisitions, technical marketing, procurement, strategic sourcing and manufacturing, and operations outsourcing. We welcome Steve as our new chair to the Bionema Board and will benefit from his valuable expertise and perspectives as we continue to transform the company, execute on our strategic priorities, and seek ways to enhance shareholder value. We are committed to engaging with all shareholders as we continue to pursue value-enhancing opportunities for Bionema”

Bionema creates chemical-free pest management solutions for the agriculture, horticulture, turf amenity, landscape, and forestry sectors.  With over 30 years’ experience in research, development, and commercialisation of biopesticides, its natural products use microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, and nematodes) to protect crops from insect damage, reducing the use of synthetic pesticides and enhancing crop yields.

For more information visit www.bionema.com

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Primo Maxx offers opportunity to save

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Primo Maxx offers opportunity to save: Greenkeepers and turf advisors can now find out the potential time and cost savings for individual courses using Primo Maxx II to reduce mowing requirements on fairways.

The Primo Maxx Cost Calculator uses a club’s current costs and routine of fairway cutting, to give an instant answer for its potential savings from a reduced frequency of mowing.

Primo Maxx offers opportunity to save

Primo Maxx offers opportunity to save

An independent survey of management on a range of golf courses revealed the average time taken to mow fairways was 11 man hours for each cut. For courses cutting fairways three times per week, the use of Primo Maxx II to eliminate one cut per week through the season could see potential machinery cost savings of over £3000 per year, along with more than £5000 value of labour input – which could be better utilsed for more valuable roles.

The calculator allows users to input their own costs for labour – for operating and machinery maintenance – the cost of fuel, repairs and mower depreciation.

Syngenta Technical Manager, Glenn Kirby, highlighted fairways are the largest areas of playing surface on the golf course, and for many take the greatest amount of labour to cut and manage.

“The calculator enables club’s to look more closely at techniques to reduce labour or lift turf quality. This allows labour to be redirected to other areas as well as reducing maintenance costs and extending the life of machinery.

“We have seen from the results of the STRI Lockdown Trial that there is real potential for lower intensity turf management, whilst retaining turf quality and playability,” Glenn reported.

“Primo Maxx II is integral to reducing workloads and managing costs.” The STRI trials showed an average 35% reduction in turf growth from the treatment programmes.

Glenn pointed out that using the calculator can demonstrate Primo Maxx II use to reduce mowing will also lower the wear and tear on machines and potentially extend their working life. “These are hidden costs that are rarely looked at, but can make a significant difference to the financial challenges golf clubs face.

“At a time when budgets are under pressure, it’s an important exercise to look at the impact of Primo Maxx II, to see how if it can it can help reduce long-term running costs for the club, and help reallocate of labour to higher priority areas whilst maintaining quality.

Combined with the depreciation from an average seven-year operating life of fairways mowers, the reduction in mowing by a typical 25% to 33% per week through the growing season offered substantial savings.

Experience of greenkeepers who regularly use Primo Maxx II on fairways repeatedly shows that the clean cut and tight sward helps with ball lie and playability,” he advised.

“The Primo Maxx Calculator is a really useful tool to assess potential savings and to communicate with the Club for budgets and investment.”

The Primo Maxx Calculator is free to use among the Greencast Tools for more efficient turf management.

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