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A Natural Concentrate of Beneficial Soil Microorganisms |
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BERMUDA
GRASS PROJECT
(Rye overseed)
Conducted on the Downtown Plaza in Boca Raton, Florida |
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Purpose
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| To compare and determine the effectiveness
of Microsoil with the standard chemical fertilizers being used on the Bermuda grass (rye
overseed). |
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Control
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| Every three (3) weeks, year round,
fertilizer (15-5-15 - NPK) is applied to the Bermuda and the grass is watered on a regular
basis. |
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MicroSoil Test Site
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| Five hundred square feet in the Downtown
Plaza would be treated with Microsoil alone, as opposed to the usual chemical fertilizer
as stated above. |
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The Test
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| On November 5, 1996 the standard
fertilizer (15-5-15) was applied and repeated every 3 weeks to the control area. On
November 20, 1996 MicroSoil was applied to the 500ft2 plot. Nothing else was
added, other than watering the grass according to the standard schedule. On November
7,1996 a soil sample was taken from the MicroSoil plot. A second soil sample was taken
again on January 5, 1997. The soil analysis results are listed below. As you can see, the
most notable increases were seen in the Organic Matter content, the ENR (Estimated
Nitrogen Release) and the Cation Exchange Capacity. Based on the CEC alone, you can see
that MicroSoil had a substantial, positive effect in just two months. On March 14, 1997 a
final soil analysis was taken. |
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Test Results
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| Even though all grass residues were
removed and no chemical fertilizer applied for three months, the results were surprising
and the grass remained in excellent condition. Note that the organic matter was slightly
down, but this is not surprising since they refused to leave grass clippings on the
surface and potassium was law due to sandy soils, as was magnesium. You will also note,
however, that the soil pH went up to 7.3 and the CEC increased to 6.5, which is
substantial for the conditions. Had our recommended protocol been followed, far greater
overall benefits would have been realized during the three month testing period. After the
final test was completed, the superintendent, although amazed at the results, returned to
his normal fertilizing methods, as this is a high profile area in a wealthy section of
town and felt he could not alter his methods of fertilizing and leave the grass clippings
and other organic materials on the grass. |
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| Soil Analyses Results |
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Nov 7 ‘96 |
Jan 5 ‘97 |
Mar 14 ’97 |
| Organic Matter |
2.30 |
|
% |
3.40 |
|
% |
2.90 |
|
% |
| ENR Ibs/acre |
90.00 |
|
M |
112.00 |
|
H |
102.00 |
|
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| Phos
P1 |
71.00 |
|
VH |
41.00 |
|
H |
51.00 |
|
VH |
| NaHC03-P P2 |
73.00 |
|
VH |
66.00 |
|
VH |
71.00 |
|
VH |
| k |
19.00 |
|
VL |
46.00 |
|
L |
31.00 |
|
VL |
| Mg |
48.00 |
|
L |
50.00 |
|
M |
71.00 |
|
L |
| Ca |
990.00 |
|
VH |
990.00 |
|
VH |
1160.00 |
|
VH |
| Na |
4.00 |
|
M |
3.20 |
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L |
n/a |
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| pH |
6.90 |
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|
6.70 |
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|
7.30 |
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| H meg/100g |
0.10 |
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|
0.30 |
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|
0.00 |
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| CECmeg/100g |
5.70 |
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|
5.90 |
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|
6.50 |
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| S |
17.00 |
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H |
7.00 |
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L |
33.00 |
|
VH |
| Zn |
37.10 |
|
VH |
11.80 |
|
VH |
10.30 |
|
VH |
| Mn |
71.00 |
|
VH |
75.00 |
|
VH |
64.00 |
|
VH |
| Fe |
53.00 |
|
VH |
20.00 |
|
H |
8.00 |
|
M |
| Cu |
10.20 |
|
VH |
4.20 |
|
VH |
0.70 |
|
M |
| B |
2.00 |
|
VL |
2.00 |
|
VL |
0.20 |
|
VL |
Soluble Salts
mmhos/cm Rate |
0.14 |
|
VL |
0.15 |
|
L |
n/a |
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| (NOTE: L= LOW, M
= MEDIUM, H = HIGH, V =VERY) |
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| Percent
Base Saturation |
| |
Nov
7 ‘96 |
Jan
5 ‘97 |
Mar
14 ’97 |
| %K |
0.9 |
2.0 |
1.2 |
| %Mg |
7.0 |
7.1 |
9.1 |
| %Ca |
86.8 |
83.9 |
89.2 |
| %H |
1.8 |
5.1 |
0.0 |
| %Na |
3.4 |
2.4 |
0.0 |
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