| Fairy Ring Management? Now it is possible! | New to the Australian Turf Industry. 3 Tier Technologies introduces NBN (Naturally Balanced Nutrients) Turf & Plant Products. The secret behind NBN Products is HUMASOIL, a natural, supersaturated, highly soluble Activated Humic Acid from a unique deposit of broad spectrum humates. NBN Products are concentrated liquid formulas that contain natural micro and macro nutrients that are assimilated by plants on a cellular level to increase natural biological activity, detoxify soil from contaminants, accelerate root development for critical nutrient storage, increase water efficiency and protect against pathogenic diseases. |
| Understanding Phosphorus Fertilisers | In recent years, phosphorus has become the ugly step-child of the Turfgrass and Agricultural industries. Theories abound: "Phosphorus is good. Phosphorus is bad, We have too much Phosphorus. We have too little Phosphorus." To add to the confusion, regulations and restrictions are added and changed daily. THE BASICS: By definition, phosphorus is a vital component of DNA, the genetic "memory unit" of all living things. Phosphorus is essential for building proteins and other components necessary for proper plant structure, seed yield and genetic transfer. It also regulates the breakdown of carbohydrates and energy transfer in cell division and multiplication. Phosphorus is the energy source for the enzyme and amino acid systems that are responsible for photosynthesis. Without phosphorus, the very basic plant growth functions suffer due to lack of energy required for cell division. Severe phosphorus deficiencies lead to plant stress, susceptibility to disease, insect attack and weed infiltration. Phosphorus increases cell performance and encourages the plants ability to move nutrients, proteins, sugars and amino acids. Properly maintained levels of phosphorus in plants and soils are essential for healthy and vigorous plants. Phosphorus improves cell division and storage, stimulates root development, strengthens stalks and stems, encourages early and uniform plant maturation, increases nitrogen fixing capability, improves crop quality and yields and increases disease resistance. Phosphorus is commonly derived from hard rock phosphates that are acidified to produce four types of phosphates: triple-super, single-super, diammonium (DAP) and monoammonium (MAP). These types of phosphates, used as granular fertilisers, are highly concentrated and very re-active, sometimes becoming chemically unavailable to plants in a matter of hours. These acid-derived inorganic phosphorus products (poly and mono) attain a mere 17% availability prior to being tied-up and unavailable. Since these phosphates are only partially absorbed by plants, they can potentially lead to water contamination through leaching and runoff. A lesser known and more expensive type of phosphorus is known as colloidal rock phosphate (ortho), which is derived from soft rock phosphates. This non-chemically enhanced phosphate is a natural source of phosphorus that, when treated with organic acids, is rich in carbon, a key building block for biologhical soil strength. Colloidal rock phosphate provides a slow release form of phosphorus that can constantly be made available to plants through biological activity and mild acidic reactions near the root zone. Natural colloidal phosphates can acheive 60% effeciencies immediately and up to 92% total efficiency. This natural form of phosphorus poses no environmental contamination threat, remains available to the plant, and is similar to the phosphorus we have in our bodies that promotes strong bones and teeth. SOIL TEST TYPES AND INTERPRETATIONS. A primary area of confusion for turfgrass and agricultural operators is the proper interpretation of soil tests. There are currently seven accepted methods of determining phosphorus levels within the soil. Five of these methods use acid or chemical extractions (Acid/Chemical tests), while two use water extractions (Water tests). Acid/Chemical tests involve adding acids and/or chemicals to the soil sample. These acids and chemicals react with the hard rock phosphates and cause them to become active, thus often resulting in astronomically high phosphorus levels. It is important to note that these test readings represent FALSE positives, since the acid and chemicals that were added freed previously tied-up nitrients and produced alarmingly misleading results. Water tests add no acids or chemicals, so the results reflect the total available phosphorus. TOO MUCH PHOSPHORUS...OR TOO LITTLE? Despite soil tests that frequently show excess phosphorus levels, phosphorus deficiencies in plants are common in the turf and agricultural industry. While these facts seem to be conflicting, they are not! Hard rock phosphates used in granular fertilisers sit unavailable in the soil and can potentially contaminate water sources because they cannot be readily absorbed by plants and turf. Plants desperately need phosphorus, but cannot easily adapt the poly and mono phosphate used in granular fertilisers. Foliar applied liquid formulations containing ortho phosphoric acid combined with humic and fulvic acids provide enriched soil carbon availability. These formulations keep the phosphorus in a more stable form, which is less likely to be tied up or made unavailable to the plants as is the case with poly and mono based phosphate products. A long term Kansas study demonstrated the importance of combining phosphorus with nitrogen on various plants and crops. The study showed increased efficiency in nitrogen and lower levels of nitrates in the soils when phosphorus was applied with the nitrogen source. Over a 30 year period of the study, nitrate accumulation in the soil profile was greatly reduced, while nitrogen uptake and yields increased by an average of 20%, and nitrogen efficiency more than doubled. Independent water-extraction phosphorus testing has shown that over 90% of soil and plants are deficient in phosphorus. Follw-up testing confirmed that, after consistent use of NBN Products, the available soil phosphorus levels were adequately maintained, and nutrient levels increased to near optimum levels. NBN Products provide a unique foliar delivery platform for nutrients and establish the natural balance required for active soils. SUMMARY: 3 Tier Products are specifically formulated with soft rock (ortho) phosphorus to provide plants the stimulus and mechanism to increase nutrient assimilation while minimising the threat of harmful phosphorus polluting our water sources. |