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The PAR+ Story

Andrew Turnbull

In response to being asked, “what’s the story behind PAR+”, I thought I would explain how my latest treatment came to fruition.

 

My curiosity was sparked in February 2019 when I took the photograph below in my back garden (Fig 1.)


The extra green area in the far corner shows where I had treated the grass with a plant extract called 5-Aminolevulinic acid in October 2018 and was showing as extra growth and colour in February 2019. I was intrigued as to what had caused this: was it enhanced nutrient uptake, an increase in photosynthesis, or other cause? The area is in a shaded part of the garden and, with my professional interest in supplying football clubs and golf courses with plant biostimulants, I decided to use the subject of growing turf in shade as the subject for my Master of Research (MRes) degree project.

 

Sports stadia present many challenges in growing and preparing high quality playing surfaces, with the lack of direct sunlight the greatest challenge. This is met by using supplementary lighting, which is hugely expensive to purchase and operate, even with LED systems now in place (Fig 3).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Shade from trees can form a challenging environment in which to manage playing surfaces (Fig 4.)

 

The trials part of my MRes involved setting up 12no. tubs, each with a gravel drainage layer and 30cm depth of rootzone that met the USGA Recommendations for a Putting Green. The pots were sown with a blend of perennial ryegrass and fertilised using a mix of controlled release NPK fertiliser and Liquid Gold Leaf liquid fertiliser, to supply the high nutrient regime demanded of high-quality sports pitches. To mow, I used a frame that supported a hedge cutter (Fig 5). Half the tubs were covered to provide 50% shade (Fig 6).




Three tubs were kept separate from the main trial to measure the effect of just using Liquid Gold Leaf as the fertiliser source.

 

Measurements

The clippings were collected and analysed for nutrient content and concentration, fresh and






dry weights (Fig 7). The drainage water was also analysed for nutrient retention/ waste. A handheld Chlorophyll Fluorescence meter was used to take reading of photosynthetic efficiency (Fig 8).

 

Another trial was setup in pots that were analysed for chlorophyll a fluorescence using a sophisticated piece of kit (Fig 9-11), which goes deep into the effects of stress on the delicate photosynthesis machinery in the plant. In this case, we measured the effects on shade and heat of plants with and without 5-ALA treatments.

 





 

 

Data analysis. Won’t spend too long on the subject, just to say, “Thank the Good Lord for computers!” Fig 12 shows a snap shot of the data generated by my studies. There were reams of numbers and pages of data generated that had to be not only analysed for my Dissertation, but then defended in front of a panel of Professors who wanted to tear it to shreds! Well, that’s what it felt like but it is an essential part of academical rigour so that the work can be trusted.

 


“Who paid for the study?” is another question I have been asked. The simple answer is that I took out a higher education loan, which I am still paying off . There is no big organisation behind me, with all costs coming out of my own (the bank’s) pocket.

 

In August 2023 I was offered a full-time job that, after 16 years of self employment (largely self unemployment), I was glad to accept. That finished early July 2024 and I accepted another job, but that only lasted two months!

 

I thought to myself, “Well, employment doesn’t seem to suit me. What am I to do now?”  I am at the stage of life (62 years young) where potential employers do not see longevity or someone they can mould into their image on a career ladder. My first love, job wise, is managing land that happens to have a golf course on it, but that avenue seems to be closed. My product development and business activities came out of a desire to make the job of creating and managing high quality turfgrass playing surfaces safer for the greenkeeper/grounds person and the natural environment, and easier to accomplish.

 

So, in September 2024, four years after being awarded my MRes, I took the Dissertation off the book shelf and turned it into a product. I do all the manufacturing, label design and fixing onto bottles, filling the bottles and placing into packaging ready for sending to customers.

 

So, there it is. The Story behind PAR+. I would love to talk to anyone who wants to be part of this journey. Whether it is advice on studying to become better at your job, technical aspects of PAR+, looking to purchase, or just anything grass related, call me on 07900 692052 for a chat.

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