Brimpton, Berkshire, England: The subject of phosphite has become a hot topic in the world of greenkeeping.

As more scientific studies are carried out on the effect that using phosphite, rather than phosphate, can have on turf grass, the more interest is generated.

Normally, P is supplied to the plant as Phosphate (PO4) as it is manufactured from Phosphoric Acid. By contrast, Phosphite (PO3) is made from Phosphorous acid. During the manufacturing process the acid is often neutralised by a base (normally Potassium Hydroxide).

It is now widely known that phosphite has a positive effect on root growth and development, and this effect is enhanced when foliar applications are used.

Based on this demand, Indigrow, a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, has developed Solar Pro-Active OneShot. This foliar bio-stimulant, which is high in phosphite, significantly aids early root growth and establishment, at the same time promoting the plants’ natural resistance to disease. It is rapidly absorbed by the leaf and translocated to all parts of the plant, stimulating natural plant auxin production. It increases plants natural defence mechanism towards some pathogens.

Indigrow commissioned its own study, based on the company’s unique sachet formulation (Solar Pro-Active OneShot) with the team at Levity Crop Science.

Tests were carried out using turf grass species Lolium perenne L. Bocelli germinated in an inert medium. The germinated seeds are supplied with Solar Pro-Active OneShot at the recommended application rate, and transferred to an incubator, where they were allowed to grow for 14 days, 14 hours a day at 20 degrees.

In comparison with the control seeds, the germinated seeds supplied with Solar Pro-Active OneShot were thicker, more than double the thickness of the control roots. Levity Crop Science confirmed that applications of Solar Pro-Active OneShot increased the capacity of the plant to scavenge the soil surface for water, oxygen and nutrients, leading to the significantly increased root volume, when using the recommended application rate.

The main conclusions from the work conducted at Levity Crop Science were that Solar Pro-Active OneShot increases root volume within the first two weeks after germination, and that it increases the growth of tillers when used at the recommended application rate of two to four sachets/ha in 300-600 litres of water.

This high concentration and the relatively low application rates recommended when used as a bio-stimulant means it is an ideal candidate for inclusion into the One Shot range. This unique packaging system has many benefits to the end user, particularly savings in transport, packaging materials and disposal of empty containers.

Solar Pro-Active OneShot is a truly foliar feed, high in phosphite, designed to help dramatically reduce plant stress during the summer months. Solar Pro-Active OneShot is fully systemic, and is available in a fast acting, stable tank mixable formulation which can be used in a tank mix with all of the other OneShot products for maximum efficiency.

Spring/summer applications boost plant growth, particularly in low temperatures whilst late summer and autumn applications promote turf hardness, boost plant health and improve disease resistance.

*For further details on the research that was carried out, please contact growth@www.indigrow.com