Products | SW Agronomy

BioNutrition for Turfgrass Surfaces

To backup our expert advisory service, SouthWest Agronomy have invented and supply a small range specialist treatments, which are the tools that make BioNutrition work. Ater paying for our advice, we often find that client purchase low quality products to implement our recommendations. See below three treatments that guarantee our advice.

BioNutrition Products

To back up our expert advisory service, South West Agronomy produce and supply a small range of specialist treatments, which are the tools that make BioNutrition work. After paying for our advice we find that clients often purchase low quality products to implement our recommendations. See below some of our unique treatments that guarantee our advice.

RZ Life

RZ Life is the start of BioNutrition, a system of bio-based turfgrass management developed by SouthWest Agronomy. With its unique composition, RZ Life improves soil structure and boosts microbial activity, making it an essential component for modern sustainable turfgrass management.

RZ Life is an innovative organic soil amendment, a natural by-product of insect larvae farming of Black Soldier Fly. Incorporating RZ Life into sand-dominated rootzones balances water and nutrient retention, and integrates into the thatch layer for enhanced thatch decomposition by providing a substrate for beneficial microbes. RZ Life has a natural NPK 3:2:2 that provides a slow-release source of nutrients.

Loose Black Soldier Fly frass

Why Choose RZ Life?

Addresses key challenges of sand-based rootzones: low CEC, poor water & nutrient retention, & limited microbial activity
Integrates seamlessly into the rootzone, avoiding excessive surface organic matter accumulation, creating the right environment for beneficial soil microbes to flourish
Provides slow-release nutrients
Supports sustainable turf management practices by reducing irrigation and fertilizer requirements.

Sub-optimum rootzone conditions in a golf green

Enhance your turf management program with RZ Life and experience the benefits of

improved soil health, sustainable fertility, and superior turf performance.

Pack size: Available in 1 Tonne bulk bags or 20kg bags (min. order 25 bags)

Application Guidelines

Existing turfgrass surfaces: Apply RZ Life to aerated turfgrass surfaces at 300-350 kg per hectare.

New construction: Apply RZ Life at 500 kg per hectare and incorporate into the top 100mm before seeding.

To purchase RZ Life:

Tel: 07900 692052, Email: enquiries@swagronomy.com

PAR+

A natural plant extract that enhances photosynthesis and increases antioxidant production in turfgrass plants.

Photosynthesis is the key to healthy turfgrass playing surfaces. and boosting the rate of photosynthesis is a powerful tool in modern turfgrass management. PAR+ increases turfgrass vigour, resilience, stress tolerance, efficient nutrient use, plant growth and playing surface quality. PAR+ is proven through trials at the University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington plant research centre.

PAR+ boosts light absorption and energy conversion in photosynthesis, and improves stress tolerance by activating

antioxidant enzymes and protecting the photosynthetic structures in plants from

oxidative damage.

Results from research University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington plant research centre.

Fv/Fm measures the potential maximum efficiency of PSII photochemistry,a good indicator of overall photoinhibition or chronic stress. Photosynthesis becomes less efficient the higher the light intensity. This chart shows that in all light levels PAR+ treated turf (yellow bars) had a higher maximum efficiency of photosynthesis than non-treated turf.

The Electron Transfer Rate (ETR) provides an estimate of the rate of electron transport through PSII, i.e. the speed of photosynthesis. Lower ETR values suggest that photosynthetic electron transport is being inhibited due to stress. The chart shows that 10 days after treatment with PAR+, treated turf (yellow bars) had a consistanly higher ETR than non-treated at all light levels.

ΦPSII measures the efficiency of PSII under real-world lighting conditions. Lower values suggest that the plant is less efficient at converting light into chemical energy. This chart shows that PAR+ treated turf (yellow bars) is more efficient at converting light into chemical energy in all light conditions, i.e. the plant produces more energy for carbohydrate production.

Summary of findings:

PAR+ has been proven to convert more light into energy and to increases antioxidant production, which results in:

increased plant metabolism for healthier growth in all conditions
strengthened defenses against damaging Reactive Oxygen Species
helps the plant to mitigate the effects of low and excessively high light, heat, cold, salinity and drought conditions.

Application Rates

The dilution rate of PAR+ varies depending on several factors, including turfgrass species, environmental conditions, and the specific stress factors involved (e.g., mowing, drought, compaction). Guidelines for the dilution rates are as follows:

1 litre per hectare (Lower range)

Effective for routine maintenance and mild stress conditions.

Enhances photosynthesis, root growth, and microbial activity without overwhelming the system. Suitable for frequent applications, such as bi-weekly or monthly during the growing season.

1.5 litres per hectare (Moderate range)

Useful when turfgrass is experiencing moderate stress, such as frequent mowing, mild drought, or nutrient deficiency. Supports stronger root growth and more robust microbial communities by maintaining a higher level of root exudation. Can be applied every 2-4 weeks, depending on turfgrass health and environmental conditions.

2 litres per hectare (Higher range)

Recommended for more severe stress conditions, such as prolonged drought, compaction, or heavy wear. Boosts the plant's antioxidant production and stress tolerance, helping it better sustain microbial communities. Typically applied less frequently (monthly or every 6 weeks), as higher concentrations provide a longer-lasting effect.

Considerations for Optimizing PAR+ Application

Application Frequency: Lower concentrations (1L per Ha) can be applied more frequently, while higher concentrations (2-3 litres per Ha) should be used less often to prevent over-stimulation.
Environmental Factors: In warmer climates or during active growth phases, slightly higher concentrations (1.5-2 litres per Ha) may be needed, while cooler climates may benefit from lower rates (1 litre or 300g per Ha).
Turfgrass Species: Some turfgrass species may have different tolerances to PAR+. For example, cool-season grasses (e.g., bentgrass or fescue) might require lower concentrations than warm-season grasses (e.g., Bermuda or zoysia) due to differences in growth rates and stress tolerance.

SAFETY DATA SHEET

Purchase PAR+ at ReGen Amenity Ltd

Tel: 07355 093710; Email: info@regenamenity.co.uk; Web: https://www.regenamenity.co.uk/

Lignase

Lignase is a complex blend of enzymes and co-factors that break the strong lignin bonds resistant to degradation.

Turfgrass thatch is composed of various organic components, with lignin (15% to 30%), cellulose (20% to 40%), and hemicellulose (10% to 30%) being the primary structural constituents. Soil microbes degrade organic matter to access nutrients but lignin is held together with strong chemical bonds that restricts the bioavailability of other, more degradable, components of the plant cell wall such as cellulose and hemi-cellulose.

Microbial products can result in a reduction of thatch in turfgrass surfaces, but lignin still requires removal through expensive and time-consuming mechanical

operations and heavy applications of sand to 'dilute' the thatch. The organic matter is still there but buried in sand! How can applying 200-300 tonnes of sand per year be called sustainable?

In contrast, Lignase is an easy to apply liquid formulation that works unseen under the surface breaking down lignin without disturbing the playing surface nor damaging the turfgrass plant. Lignase reduces destructive and costly mechanical methods, such as scarifying and hollow coring. Plant tissue damaged by these physical operations leads to disease that incurs more costs to control, and revenue is lost during the thatch control operations and playing surface recovery phases.

Proof of concept trials

Two samples of commercially grown turf were transfered to a growing tent and maintained for four months. The following is just one section of the report:

Total Lignin Reduction (Klason Lignin + Acid-Soluble Lignin)

Non-Treated: 14.72%

Treated: 11.93%

Difference: Reduction of 2.79 percentage points (19% decrease in total lignin content).

Interpretation:

A 19% total lignin reduction supports the conclusion that the enzymatic treatment successfully degraded lignin components in the sample. Since lignin is a primary structural barrier in thatch, this degradation likely improved microbial access to cellulose and hemicellulose, accelerating decomposition.

The full trial report can be seen here.

Application rates

Apply Lignase from end April to end September, when soil temperature are +10C, and no more than six applications per year.

Dilute 1 litre in 300-400 litres of water per hectare every 4-6 weeks.

SAFETY DATA SHEET

To purchase Lignase:

Tel: 07900 692052, Email: enquiries@swagronomy.com