ICL STRI Research Trials
At ICL we value trial work. We invest in independent and in-house trial work to help us innovate, produce the best technologies. We also conduct product testing to help us provide the best advice for our customers, and because it stimulates a progressive and positive outlook towards turf maintenance. Last year we commissioned a number of trials at the STRI to investigate a few interesting questions regarding integrated fine turf management – something we call iTurf.
Trial 1: 2016 ICL Autumn Disease Control trial - Completed
Following on from a trial in 2015 – which we presented at STRI Research last year we continued to investigate disease management in autumn 2016. This trial focused on non-fungicidal approaches to reducing the risk of disease attack. The objectives of the 2016 ICL Autumn Disease Control Trial were three-fold…
- Evaluate a moisture management approach to autumn disease control utilizing the latest H2Pro dew dispersant and penetrant wetting agent technologies.
- Evaluate alternative nutritional / biostimulant approaches to autumn disease management
- Evaluate biofungicidal technology in place of a conventional fungicide .
The trial was was set up as a multi-factorial, randomised and replicated complete block design with 4 wetting agent treatments and 7 alternative treatments (including untreated controls). The key results are described below.
- Using a quality Dew Dispersant in a programmed approach can significantly reduce disease outbreaks.
- Utilising iron products can help improve quality, masking disease and maintaining an acceptable surface.
- In a high disease pressure situation – alternative biostimulant approaches to disease control cannot be utilized in a reactive application style.
Trial 2: 2017 ICL Nutritional programme evaluation SLAN vs MLSN – ongoing.
As nutrition specialists ICL are committed to providing clear accurate advice and up-to-date fertilizer programmes that meet the needs of our customers and to lead progress within our industry. ICL have advocated a SLAN (Sufficient Level of Available Nutrients) approach to soil testing and nutrition programmes for many years, however more recently a new model has emerged - the MLSN approach (Minimum Level of Sustainable Nutrition), which takes a slightly different viewpoint. Over the summer of 2017 ICL have been trialing these two approaches in a long-term nutrition trial to provide independent evidence into the relative merits of both these approaches.
The trial supplies two treatment levels of nitrogen to the turf a. 160 kg N/ha, b. 80 kg N/ha, and both of these then follow an MLSN or SLAN approach to additional nutrient inputs. The trial and data collection is ongoing and the trial will run for two or three years.
Further information about STRI Research 2017 can be found at: https://strigroup.com/join-us-stri-research-2017/