Berkshire, England: Indigrow has introduced SolarMax, a ground-breaking advancement building on the success of the company’s Solar foliar range.

“The latest development in our formulation technology allows our SolarMax products to offer a significantly higher level of nutrients within the formulations,” said Brian Croose, Asean Regional Manager at Indigrow, a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“In addition to this increased nutrient content, the latest co-formulants used within the formulation ensure an even higher rate of nutrient uptake by the turf grass plant,” added Croose.

With unpredictable weather patterns increasingly causing challenges for turf managers, heavy or persistent rainfall and shortened spray windows mean it can be difficult to ensure the products that are applied have the desired effect.

“You need a product that is flexible, efficient, and able to deliver lasting effects and benefits to the grass plant, while also being environmentally aware,” said Croose, of the new range of SolarMax products, developed in-house by Indigrow and due to be launched at the BTME 2024 in England (Stand 232) from January 23-25.

SolarMax offers:

• Precision delivery of concentrated nutrients.
• Maximised nutrient efficiency.
• Reduction in thatch build up.
• Flexibility of use.
• Environmentally friendly nutrition.

The SolarMax range utilises the latest gel technology to increase nutrient concentrations within the product. The gel formulation adheres to the leaf better than a standard foliar feed, ensuring a greater proportion of the nutrients applied can be taken up by the plant.

“This increased nutrient efficiency means less product is required over time, reducing the volume of fertiliser required to keep the plant healthy, offering both environmental and cost and time saving benefits,” said Croose.

SolarMax’s formulation actively prevents leaching into the soil, to improve product efficiency and reduce environmental risks. While most nutrients applied via SolarMax products will be taken up by absorption through the leaf, poor weather conditions or a lack of sward density, mean some nutrients will reach the soil, too.

SolarMax’s formulation contains surfactants that hold nutrients within the upper rootzone, where root uptake is highest, to ensure they are used by the plant. This reduces the negative effects of leaching from the soil while also increasing the efficiency of the product.

As a result of its elevated nitrogen content, SolarMax gel products can increase chlorophyll content of turf grass plants.

Trials found that the application of SolarMax increased the chlorophyll content of turf grass plants, compared to traditional fertiliser applications, particularly when used over an extended period post-application.

“This effect is thanks to the elevated nitrogen content in SolarMax N, SolarMax NPK, and SolarMax Mg products, promoting increased chlorophyll synthesis and enhanced photo-synthesis,” said Croose.

Increased levels of chlorophyll improve a plant’s ability to convert light into energy through photo-synthesis. The plant is then able to produce more glucose, serving as a source of energy for growth and metabolic processes.

Higher chlorophyll levels are linked to more efficient nutrient uptake, particularly nitrogen. This contributes to better overall growth of the shoots and roots. “Extensive trials have shown that SolarMax products increase both shoot weight and root length,” said Croose.

The SolarMax formulation includes dispersion agents and nutrients that are 100% soluble, delivering an even dilution of the product within the spray tank. This ensures a consistent and uniform application of the product, promoting optimal uptake across the turf surface. The new formulations are also sulphur and chloride free, ensuring a low salt index.

Croose said: “Another advantage of SolarMax products is their ability to alleviate stress on grass plants during and after application. This remains consistent regardless of variations in soil or air temperatures at the point of application.

“The adaptability of the products allows for year-round usage in diverse climates, providing turf managers with a versatile and reliable solution for maintaining healthy surfaces.”

With organisations under increasing pressure to reduce their environmental impact, procurement of products and materials that are sustainable is a consideration for many turf managers.

The SolarMax range helps to meet this challenge by providing the following:

• Limiting packaging – through more concentrated products.
• Requiring less water during production.
• Decreasing haulage and emissions – through lighter packages and fewer deliveries overall.
• Increasing nutrient uptake and retention – less nutrient leaching.

Croose said: “Along with all the benefits outlined in this article, our latest SolarMax formulations contain a dispersion agent to ensure excellent dissolution within the spray tank to ensure consistent application.

“The new formulations are also sulphur and chloride free and offer a very low salt index. These latest formulations will not stress the turf grass plant at any point, regardless of soil or air temperatures at the point of application, ensuring they can be used all year round in all climates.”

*For further details, please visit www.indigrow.com