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Biologicals and their Benefits to Turf and Soil Health

August 24, 2021

Biologicals and their Benefits to Turf and Soil Health

August 24, 2021
WHAT ARE BIOLOGICALS?

Biologicals are products that contain components from living or once living organisms. Biologicals offer many significant benefits to turf and soil health and can be applied to plants, flowers, vegetables, and trees. Some of these positive benefits include improved root growth, stress tolerance, increased microbial activity, improved nutrient availability and soil water holding capacity. With a variety of biological products available it can be overwhelming to know which one to choose. To assist, we have categorized them into several groups so you can better understand their differences and unique roles they play in promoting turf and soil health. Most of these products can be applied alone or can be be blended/coated on fertilizer.

BIOLOGICAL CATEGORIES

Listed below are the major categories of biologicals and their key benefits to turf and soil health.


1. Beneficial Microbes

Organisms found in soil where food sources are plentiful. Beneficial microbes used in biologicals are:

  • Bacteria
  • Fungi (mycorrhizae)


Benefits:


Bacteria

  • Fix nitrogen gas from the air into usable forms for plants
  • Convert urea into inorganic nitrogen for plant use
  • Share metabolites with plants


Fungi (Mycorrhizae)

  • Act as an extension of plant root systems
  • Defend plants against pathogenic bacteria


2. Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs)

Chemical substances that are used to regulate the growth of plants.


Benefits:

PGR's regulate the rate of various plant processes including growth, homeostasis, reproduction, pathogen defense, and abiotic stress tolerance.


3. Humic Substances occur naturally in soils as a result of the breakdown of organic matter. Humic substances in biologicals are:

  • Fulvic Acid
  • Humic Acid
  • Humins


Benefits (Humic):

  • Stimulate root growth
  • Chelate and complex macro and micronutrients
  • Increase the soil’s Cation Exchange Capacity (C.E.C.)
  • Reduce soil compaction
  • Retain moisture in soils
  • Enhance the soil quality for beneficial microbes


4. Kelp (Seaweed) Extracts

Marine-based species of plants and algae.


Benefits:

Kelp helps plants adapt their physiology to abiotic stressors such as heat, cold, drought, and salt.


5. Metabolites

Microbial metabolites are a byproduct of beneficial soil bacteria (microbes), which are a natural, rich source of protein hydrolysates, organic acids, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fulvic acids. There are two types of metabolites, primary and secondary. Both of which are highly beneficial to plant and soil health.


Benefits:

  • Providing organic compounds essential for plant growth and development 
  • Driving the plants biochemistry including respiration, cell division, energy production and reproduction 
  • Helping plants cope with many biotic and abiotic stresses 
  • Improving plants survivability by boosting disease resistance and discouraging herbivory (insect damage)


6. Enzymes

Protein molecules in cells.


Benefits:

Accelerate metabolic and catabolic reactions associated with the plant’s metabolism.



For biologicals or fertilizers enhanced with biologicals including humic and AMP-XC™ products available, please visit TurfCare’s online Product Catalog.
 
For green industry professionals or others interested in ordering Turfcare products, please contact our Customer Service to find a distributor near you.



References:
Photos:

Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog

October 9, 2024
Platte River Equity Portfolio Company Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc. Brunswick, OH , October 9, 2024 – Platte River Equity (“Platte River”) portfolio company Turf Care Supply, LLC (“Turf Care”) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (“Agri-Nutrients”), a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the turf & ornamental (“T&O”) industry. This strategic acquisition provides Turf Care with an established presence in the south-central United States, an enhanced product portfolio and additional manufacturing capacity. “This acquisition represents much more than a business transaction; it is a strategic step forward in expanding our reach and enhancing our customers’ growth. By bringing Agri-Nutrients into the Turf Care family, we are broadening our product portfolio, expanding our market presence and further positioning ourselves as a leader in providing innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “We are excited about joining the Turf Care team,” said Jim Montgomery, President of Agri-Nutrients. “At Agri-Nutrients, our core values center around customer service and product innovation, and we are confident that this combination will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers.” “Platte River welcomes the Agri-Nutrients team to Turf Care. This transaction underscores our long-term commitment to fostering growth through both organic and inorganic initiatives across the Turf Care platform,” said Tarun Kanthety, Vice President of Platte River. “The partnership with Agri-Nutrients strengthens Turf Care’s value-added offering, creating additional growth opportunities across the combined customer base.” B&A Corporate Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Agri-Nutrients. About Agri-Nutrients Founded in 1992 and based in Catoosa, OK, Agri-Nutrients is a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the T&O industry, predominantly selling into the lawn care, sports turf and golf course end markets. About Turf Care Supply Established in 1974, Turf Care Supply is one of the largest formulators and blenders of urea products to the T&O market. Turf Care has a comprehensive product portfolio of fertilizers, combination products (herbicide/insecticide), soil amendments and enhanced efficiency fertilizer ingredients. Turf Care's products are sold to distributors and blenders serving the commercial, residential and golf end markets. Turf Care operates four manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the eastern U.S. About Platte River Equity Founded in 2006 and based in Denver, CO, Platte River Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in established lower middle market operating companies within targeted industrial sectors where it has substantial operating and investing experience. Platte River utilizes prudent capital structures in order to invest in future growth opportunities and withstand changing economic environments. The firm also provides significant ongoing support to its portfolio companies through dedicated resources across functional areas. The firm has raised funds with committed capital in excess of $1.6 billion and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The Platte River team is the largest collective investor across its funds, deeply aligning the firm with its investors and portfolio company management teams.
October 4, 2024
Dear Valued Industry Partners and Customers,  We are pleased to announce that Turf Care Supply, LLC has acquired Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (October 1, 2024) a respected manufacturer in the turf and ornamental fertilizer industry. This acquisition marks a significant step forward in our commitment to providing you with an expanded range of innovative products, services, and industry expertise, all designed to support your business’s continued growth and success. As a valued partner or customer, you will benefit from enhanced service capabilities and an extended geographic reach, thanks to Agri-Nutrients, Inc.’s strategic facility located in the Port of Catoosa, Oklahoma. With this established presence in the Southwest and Western markets, Turf Care Supply, LLC’s expanded operational footprint will allow us to serve a broader region with greater efficiency, delivering even stronger support to help drive your business forward. We are dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining the high standards of service you expect. If you have any questions or would like to explore how this new location can enhance your operations, please feel free to contact your account manager or our customer service team. Thank you for your continued trust in Turf Care Supply, LLC. We look forward to partnering with you as we grow together and continue supporting your success. Sincerely, Mark Mangan President Turf Care Supply, LLC
September 28, 2023
With a focus on providing sustainable manufacturing and reducing carbon emissions, Turf Care Supply has embraced the electric power market with the latest mobile equipment upgrades. Completed in June 2023, TCS received all deliveries of electric forklifts to all three manufacturing facilities, including Hatfield, MA, Martins Ferry, OH and Sebring, FL.
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