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Strengthen rootzones for better playing surfaces

May 19, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Strengthen rootzones for better playing surfaces Maintaining consistent playing surfaces has become one of the biggest challenges in sports turf. With increased usage and higher expectations, pitches are under constant pressure to perform and remain stable, resilient, and reliable week after week. For many turf managers, that performance is increasingly linked to one key factor: […]

Independent FAIR WATER II Trial Highlights Fairway Drought Performance

May 19, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Independent FAIR WATER II Trial Highlights Fairway Drought Performance Independent research carried out at the NIBIO Turfgrass Research Center in Norway has highlighted ICL’s H2Pro TriSmart and Syngenta’s Qualibra among seven commercially available soil surfactant technologies evaluated under prolonged drought conditions. The work forms part of the STERF-funded FAIR WATER II project, supported by The […]

Strengthen rootzones for better playing surfaces

May 19, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Independent FAIR WATER II Trial Highlights Fairway Drought Performance

May 19, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Strengthen rootzones for better playing surfaces

May 19, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Strengthen rootzones for better playing surfaces

Maintaining consistent playing surfaces has become one of the biggest challenges in sports turf. With increased usage and higher expectations, pitches are under constant pressure to perform and remain stable, resilient, and reliable week after week.

Strengthen rootzones for better playing surfaces

For many turf managers, that performance is increasingly linked to one key factor: the rootzone.

Kate Finlayson, research and development agronomist at Orion Future Technologies, believes that improving how the soil system functions is critical to delivering consistent pitch quality.

“If the rootzone is not performing, the surface won’t either,” she explains. “One measure is managing inputs and presentation, but if the soil structure and function are not right, there will always be inconsistency in how the pitch plays and recovers.”

One area gaining attention is the use of silicon within turf management programmes, not just for plant strength but for its influence on the soil system that underpins surface performance.

“Silicon has traditionally been seen as something that benefits the plant,” Kate says. “But what’s becoming more important is how it supports the soil where it can improve structure, stability, and the overall function of the rootzone.”

From a performance perspective, this translates into a more consistent and reliable surface.

“The aim is to help develop a rootzone that holds together under play, supports strong rooting, and doesn’t break down with use. Improving the structure and stability of that profile can help achieve a surface that performs more consistently,” she says.

Improvements in soil aggregation and pore structure can help create a more uniform profile, reducing variability across the pitch. This supports better root development and contributes to improved recovery following wear, particularly in high-traffic areas.

“It’s about giving the plant a better environment to anchor into. If roots are stronger and the soil is more stable, the surface is better able to cope with pressure and bounce back after use,” Kate explains.

There are also nutrient efficiency and biological activity benefits, both of which play a role in maintaining consistent turf performance over time.

“A more functional soil system supports more balanced growth and better recovery. Instead of constantly trying to correct issues, the focus shifts to making the surface work with improvements to the whole growing system,” she says.

As with any input, silicon is not a standalone solution. Its effectiveness depends on how it is integrated into a wider turf management programme, including aeration, appropriate nutrition, and practices that support soil health.

“Good agronomy still underpins everything. But where silicon fits in is helping to strengthen the system that everything else relies on.”

As demands on playing surfaces continue to increase, that system-based approach is becoming more important.

“Turf management is shifting. It’s less about reacting to problems on the surface and more about building a rootzone that can consistently deliver performance. That’s where the focus needs to be,” she concludes.

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Independent FAIR WATER II Trial Highlights Fairway Drought Performance

May 19, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Independent FAIR WATER II Trial Highlights Fairway Drought Performance

Independent research carried out at the NIBIO Turfgrass Research Center in Norway has highlighted ICL’s H2Pro TriSmart and Syngenta’s Qualibra among seven commercially available soil surfactant technologies evaluated under prolonged drought conditions.

Independent FAIR WATER II Trial Highlights Fairway Drought Performance

The work forms part of the STERF-funded FAIR WATER II project, supported by The R&A Golf Course 2030 initiative and the German Greenkeepers Association (GVD), investigating practical drought management and water-use strategies for golf course fairways across Northern Europe.

During the severe 2024 drought period, untreated plots required 116 mm of irrigation water to maintain the intervention threshold, compared with 90 mm for plots treated with H2Pro TriSmart. This represented a statistically significant 22% reduction in irrigation water use versus untreated turf.

Alongside lower water use, H2Pro TriSmart maintained strong turf quality, green grass cover, and soil moisture performance throughout the drought period, with the trial paper describing it as delivering the “best all-round performance” under the conditions tested.

Within the same controlled rainout shelter trials at the NIBIO Turfgrass Research Center Landvik in Norway, Syngenta’s Qualibra was recognised for providing the “best overall visual appearance after prolonged drought”.

As golf courses continue to face increasing pressure around water availability, irrigation costs, and prolonged dry periods, the FAIR WATER II project is also assessing approaches including thatch management, deep aeration, and the use of brackish or recycled irrigation water.

Dr Andy Owen, International Technical Manager for ICL, said:

“Independent trial work like FAIR WATER II provides valuable practical insight into how different technologies perform under prolonged drought stress. It is encouraging to see H2Pro TriSmart recognised for reducing irrigation water requirement while maintaining turf performance, alongside the visual turf quality delivered through Qualibra.”

For more information on the trial findings, visit the ICL Turf & Landscape Knowledge Hub.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growingsolutions.com

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Strengthen rootzones for better playing surfaces

Independent FAIR WATER II Trial Highlights Fairway Drought Performance

Strengthen rootzones for better playing surfaces

Independent FAIR WATER II Trial Highlights Fairway Drought Performance

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Strengthen rootzones for better playing surfaces

Strengthen rootzones for better playing surfaces

Independent FAIR WATER II Trial Highlights Fairway Drought Performance

Independent FAIR WATER II Trial Highlights Fairway Drought Performance

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