Golf Course Turf Grass

Hotel Bangi-Putrajaya

Turf Repairing in progress

Let's go have a round of Golf!
Did a presentation with the Course management people and started a trial for Turf at Bangi Golf Course Resort on the 4th October 2017. Went around the course to orientate myself with the Assistant Course Superintendent. A big thank you. I understand a little more as Turf to a layman like me is weeds.

I found out that Turf needs to be repaired and lots of efforts and steps are taken to to that. Let along using machines that I had not encountered before.

Turf is practically planted in sand and I was made to understand that there is a sub soil level, which include drainage as well. In-fact layers had to be prepared one by one.

There are also different Turf for different area, like greens, fairways, putting & etc. Name of the turf also sounds so alien to me, as I normally refer them as weeds or grass.


As I had never planted grass before, and had a long though on how to go about this.

Irregular Turf.

I can out with an idea of making a marked area and do it at a different concentration. After a couple of trails with other plants in Malaysia, I have a hunch that we don't require a high concentration as stated by our principle, or was it that I calculate wrongly...

This is what I came up with. Bought some PVC
pipes and raffles string. I guess yellow is easier to see. We did this in the nursery in 3 sections. Concentration from 1:200 to 1:600. I then sprinkle in some compost, our Richfield, formulation with Micorriza and Super Nano Gel.

Took me about 2 horse to complete. We were recommended to apply AgroSol either in the morning or evening. Most of the time all my trials, my application time is away from the recommended time, as by the time I finished preparing, it's most probably late morning or afternoon.

I left, and schedule my next schedule in 14 days' time.

Note the Turf is practically growing on sand.

In the mean time I was reckoning, what else can we do for Golf course? I then took time to find out why do they need to grow Turf on sand, which is a poor growing media. It needs lots of nutrients and water to support the Turf. Due to continuous irrigation, we need to manage fungus disease.  I found out that Turf is practically growing in a hydroponic method, because it need to drain off water from the course way. Easier to walk for the golfer with soil/ mud sticking onto their shoes.

Green is turf, Red is root zone and Blue is sand.
On the right, we insert in a layer of BioRichar

Can we make the Golf course more green as in less chemical? Can we reduce the workforce required? After discussing with the management, they came up wit a magic number, 30%. If we can have a saving of 30%, yes , they can explore working with us.

After corresponding with the Assistant Superintendent. I proposed that we work with 2 approach. On the top we treat the turf with our Pure Plant Energy, AroSol. On the bottom we try to amend the sand (Soil). Our Richfield is a good candidate. Germany technology, the Mycorriza promotes root growth, right in the root zone. Porosity and Moisture retention is great. Rich with organic matter, inoculated with good effective microbes shall manifest the growth of the EM. Super Nano gel absorb water, retain and release slowly shall greatly reduce irrigation and energy cost. Introducing a thin layer of say 10 to 20 mm in the root zone should have very good long term effect. Hope this shall help us reach our magic figure. Decided to incorporate this on my next visit.

23rd October. As anticipated, the 1:600 shows better performance.

This is the first time I used an auguring tool of this sort. I had initially scheduled half a day for this task. With this tool, it was a breeze and managed to complete in a very short time. But still, age had caught up with me. Needed plenty of rest in between.

I aimed for the root zone depth, replaced some sand with Richfield. 4 holes per slot.

My visit today 3rd November . Check out my video. The round patch is visible. It is effective

The 200, note the round patches.

The 400, note the round patches.

The 600, note the round patches.

Closer up of the 600.

My visit today, it's drizzling and not suitable for spray AgroSol. Shall come back and continue the trial later part of the month. I personally is very excited as am getting remarkable improvements in 28 days.

Looking forward to optimize further, maybe with a higher range of 1:500, 1:700 and 1:900.

Well, can only do this after my vacation. Stay tune.



AgroSol Grapes results in Malaysia
#Agrosol #Organic #Natural #BeeFriendly 
Tested in Malaysia for #AvocadoFriendly #GrapeFriendly #DurianFriendly #MangoFriendly #RockmelonFriendly #PapayaFriendly
 #TurfFriendly #FigFriendly

Fungicide, the natural way.

Fungicide use is surging, largely because it is not being monitored.

Modern fungicides that are sprayed on fruit and vegetables have come under fresh scrutiny after scientists

found they caused similar genetic changes in mouse neurons to those seen in autism and Alzheimer’s disease.

A wide range of chemicals are used in global agriculture under the perception that they are fundamental to achieving maximum crop yields. There is, however, a growing knowledge base developing that underpins the distribution and impact of chemicals in the environment and how they affect the human body. Furthermore, there is growing requirement for regulatory control and management procedures due to the specific challenges that are being recognized.

While insecticides are a known deadly threat, two studies find that bees exposed to fungicides are smaller, sickly and declining in ‘chemical cocktail’ farmlands.

Also from a consumer point of view, it is our responsibility to fully understand what we eat and what we are feeding to the next generation. Some of our local farming community is moving towards the non - chemical and organic farming. Hopefully more shall follow. 

Trichoderma a Biofungicide.


Trichoderma is a beneficial fungus that helps to protect your plants against molds and bacteria. These tough little guys stand up against root rot and grey mold, protecting your plants from being destroyed. They create a barrier that make it impossible for harmful bacteria and pathogens to pass through.

Trichoderma surrounds your plant’s roots releasing compounds that trigger their natural defense systems.


Fungi That Flexes

These guys aren’t messing around. Not only do they strong arm potential pathogens but they also have the ability to kill those that may already be present. Additionally, Trichoderma reduces Pythium, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia. These enzymes attack harmful soil bacteria and fungi. They wrap themselves around the harmful fungi, releasing these enzymes that then dissolve the invaders cell wall. This action is term as “microbe parasitism.”



They produce mainly two types of enzymes: cellulase and chitinase. Cellulase is an enzyme that breaks down cellulose (the structure of plant cell walls). On the flipside, chitinase is an enzyme that breaks down chitin (the structure of fungal cell walls). Chitinase is also what breaks down the crunchy exoskeleton of insects but as far as studies show, this fungi isn’t an omnivore as of yet. Trichoderma is some mind-blowing stuff. They know when to activate which enzyme depending on what root system and soil that it is residing within to not cause harm. Is there anything that these beneficial fungi can’t do??


Who Are These Fungi?

Kingdom: Fungi

Division: Ascomycota

Subdivision: Pezizomycotina

Class: Sordariomycetes

Order: Hypocreales

Family: Hypocreaceae

Genus: Trichoderma



There are four different species of trichoderma- harziamum, viride, longibrachiatum and reesei. Each of these have defining characteristics and qualities but mainly are separated by what they eat.



Trichoderma harziamum is the most commonly known species of this beneficial fungi. It likes to hang out in temperatures between 30 to 37 degrees Celsius. It is used as a fungicide and a biocontrol for a number of different fungal pathogens.



Trichoderma Viride was thought to be the only species of trichoderma for a long time. It is also known as the “green mold disease of mushrooms”. It breaks down both chitin and cellulose and uses them as its food source. “Its ability to break down both compounds make it very adaptable.” This species can grow on wood (cellulose) and fungi (chitin).



If you are considering doing any mushroom farming in the future, make sure to keep this particular species far away from any mushroom cultivation. Trichoderma Viride have voracious appetites for all fungi.

Trichoderma longibrachiatum is not used as often as some of the other species of this fungi. This new kid on the block is the most recently discovered Trichoderma. It is particularly powerful and is often genetically modified to make enzymes that enable it to perform as a bioremediator (meaning that they can clean up heavy metals).





Just as great as they can be in cleaning up, they can be just as terrible when found in the wrong place at the wrong time. Trichoderma longibrachiatumpose a high potential for causing allergic reactions in humans. It is the common black mold found in air filters and the corners of your windows.



Although beneficial in your soil, those that have lymphoma or have recently had a bone marrow transplant should fear this strain like the plague because it has been known to colonize in recovering patients.




Present day fashion designers now use Trichoderma reesei to create the “stone washed” jeans effect that keeps going in and out of style.



In addition to eating cellulose, Trichoderma reese excretes antibiotics for the plants. These antibiotics trigger the resistance response within the plant to help it to fight off fungal pathogens.


Trichoderma, Naturally.



You can find Trichoderma organically in nature in native soils on nearly every continent of the world. They can be found in soils of varying temperatures but thrive between 25 and 40 degrees Celsius. Outside those temperatures, the fungi begin to lag or die off.



Trichoderma is very resilient and can survive in the face of pathogens, heavy metals and bacteria. These spunky little fungi can handle just about anything that you throw at them. But humans are giving them a run for their money by interrupting their natural balance and ability to organically exist in soils.



Just like we are responsible for salt build up and alkaline soils, we are killing off these beneficial bacteria with mining, construction, pesticides, drought, flooding, and extreme heat waves. We now find ourselves having to add it back to our soils instead of benefiting from its naturally occurring colonies. Just one more reason to give a shit about environmental practices, and how your food is grown…..


Getting Heady

In addition to helping your plants keep themselves healthy and fight off diseases, Trichoderma also help increase nutrient uptake, increase growth, increase yield and increase the amount of seeds they are able to germinate.


Trichoderma and Other Microbes

Trichoderma work well with other microbes, buddying up with anything that is going to increase the health of its rhizosphere. It will literally melt any pathogenic fungi causing ZERO negative effects.

Click HERE for more details or whatsApp +60163261829

Mycorrhiza

Commercial Potent Grade Mycorrhiza
Waste from roots is food for mycorrhiza fungi, waste from mycorrhiza fungi is food for roots.

What Are Mycorrhiza?

“Myco” – “rhiza” literally means “fungus” – “root” and describes the mutually beneficial relationship between the plant and root fungus. These specialized fungi colonize plant roots and extend far into the soil. Mycorrhiza fungal filaments in the soil are truly extensions of root systems and are more effective in nutrient and water absorption than the roots themselves. More than 90 percent of plant species in natural areas form a symbiotic relationship with the beneficial mycorrhiza fungi.

Are They Important?

Mycorrhiza fungi increase the surface absorbing area of roots 100 to a 1,000 times, thereby greatly improving the ability of the plant to access soil resources. Several miles of fungal filaments can be present in less than a thimbleful of soil. Mycorrhiza fungi increase nutrient uptake not only by increasing the surface absorbing area of the roots, but also release powerful enzymes into the soil that dissolve hard-to-capture nutrients, such as organic nitrogen, phosphorus, iron and other “tightly bound” soil nutrients. This extraction process is particularly important in plant nutrition and explains why non-mycorrhiza plants require high levels of fertilization to maintain their health. Mycorrhiza fungi form an intricate web that captures and assimilates nutrients, conserving the nutrient capital in soils.

Do You Need Them?

Undisturbed soils are full of beneficial soil organisms including mycorrhiza fungi. Research indicates, however, many common practices can degrade the mycorrhizae-forming potential of soil. Tillage, removal of topsoil, erosion, site preparation, compaction, fumigation, invasion of weeds, and leaving soils fallow are some of the activities that can reduce or eliminate these beneficial soil fungi. Scientific studies indicate endo mycorrhiza fungal populations are slow to recolonize, unless there is close access to natural areas that can act as a source of mycorrhiza spores to repopulate the affected area. Reintroducing mycorrhiza fungi in areas where they have been lost can dramatically improve plant performance with less water and fertilizer and at a reduced cost.

Benefits of Mycopwer ™
On Plants

Produce more vigorous & healthy plants
Create better water & nutrient development

Increase plant root establishment & development

Increase Yield & Crop quality

Increase plant survival rate at seedling & transplanting

Optimizing fertilization use

Increase plant tolerance to soil salinity, disease & drought

   

On Soil Structure

Greater water infiltration & holding capacity

Prevent soil aggregation through hyphae networking

Better resistance to soil surface crusting, erosion & soil compaction

Increase permeability to air circulation, 

Increase beneficial microbial activity & nutrients cycling

Efficacy gain typically allows a reduction of 30% to 50% of conventional fertilizer input

Additional of AMF in ecological restoration project (Phytoremediation) has shown improvement on the physical & biological soil properties, structure, nutrients availability & organic matter.

Healthy & Bigger root mass = Higher Yield & Better Quality.