LEBANON, PA (Sept. 29, 2010) – Golf course superintendents, turf care professionals and landscape contractors are increasingly incorporating biological products into their turf fertility programs to improve plant health and appearance as well as to complement their environmentally sustainable practices.
Those were among the findings of a survey conducted on behalf of LebanonTurf to gauge the acceptance of biologicals as an emerging fertilization category. Survey respondents were asked to consider biologicals as products based on a wide range of living organisms, including microbes, bacteria, mycorrhizae, seaplant extracts and hormones, that are added to a fertilizer prill or delivered as standalone products.
According to survey respondents, 51 percent currently use biological products as part of their normal turf fertility program; 45 percent said they expect to increase their use of biologicals in the next two years.
Sixty-six percent use biologicals as a complement to traditional fertilizer products, while 31 percent said they are experimenting with these types of products. Less than 1 percent said they use biologicals exclusively.
“The research confirms the momentum building for bionutrional products and the growing belief in their benefits,” said Dave Heegard, general manager of LebanonTurf.
Ninety percent of respondents said they consider biological products either essential
(30 percent) or moderately important (60 percent) to their fertility programs.
In addition to improved plant health and appearance (53 percent) and environmental friendliness (35 percent), 12 percent indicated “cost-effectiveness when compared to traditional fertilizers” as an “important” benefit of bionutrition.
Tees and greens are the areas where most biological products are being applied, although 21 percent said they also use biologicals on fairways.
Ninety-five percent of those responding said they were either very satisfied (31 percent) or mostly satisfied (64 percent) with the results they achieved with biological products.
The survey was conducted on behalf of LebanonTurf by Questex Research. LebanonTurf produces biological products under the Emerald Isle and Roots brands.
About Lebanon Seaboard Corporation and LebanonTurf
With more than 60 years experience, LebanonTurf, a division of privately held Lebanon Seaboard, is a leader in developing practical and innovative solutions for the turf and landscape maintenance industry. Lebanon Seaboard Corporation manufactures and distributes a broad range of professional turf and ornamental products, as well as a wide variety of consumer lawn and garden items. For more information, visit www.lebsea.com, www.lebanonturf.com or call 800-233-0628.
Contact:
Bill Bryant, Bryant Marketing Communications
678-366-3232, bbryant@bryantmarcomm.com
Bernard Bross, LebanonTurf
800-233-0628, bbross@lebanonturf.com
