Lawn & Grass Problems & Culbac® Plant Solutions

One of the most consistent responses to the soil Culbac plant products to the soil is increased biomass in the rhizobium, increased microbial activity in the soil, and development of robust root systems in plants to bring necessary nutrients to the plant. This ability makes Culbac products a valuable tool in the establishment and maintenance of healthy lawns and turf, which require vigorous roots to withstand the stresses of mowing, dry weather, heavy traffic, seasonal dormancy, and competition from weeds.

Culbac’s importance to the turf industry is further enhanced by efforts to limit the application of phosphorus in fertilizers. Phosphorus is an essential macronutrient to plants since it, along with other factors, stimulates root development. But when phosphorus enters a watershed, such as via erosion, it can promote dense algae blooms that lead to the eutrophication of rivers and lakes. In order to limit the damage caused by phosphorus on aquatic ecosystems, increasing environmental regulations have aimed to curtail the amount of phosphorus seeping into drainage by reducing phosphorus levels in fertilizers. By promoting root development, Culbac plant products can be a valuable aid to lawncare systems without adding to the problem of eutrophication in watersheds. Since Culbac is an all-natural product derived from fermenting beneficial bacteria in a nutrient medium containing kelp (Ascophyllum nodosum), it is safe to use according to label directions.

Products: Culbac Plant Solution, Culbac Green, Culbac Liquid Commercial Seed Treatment, and Culbac Dry Commercial Seed Treatment Plus

Culbac plant products have been tested extensively for use as a seed treatment. The formulations developed have demonstrated great success with seed for lawn and turf. Studies on grass seed have been conducted by independent seed research laboratories, cooperating seed processors, University researchers, and by TransAgra researchers over the years. This research has been essential in determining the optimal rate of applying Culbac to a variety of grass seeds and to make available liquid and dry forms of Culbac seed treatments for ease of application.

Studies have been conducted in cool-season grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass, K31 Tall Fescue, Creeping Red Fescue, Ryegrass and others. Studies have also been conducted in warm-season grasses including Bermuda grass, Bahiagrass, Centipede grass, Zoysia grass, and others. Measures of root and shoot growth, seedling vigor, drought resistance have demonstrated the great efficacy of Culbac plant products as a seed treatment for lawn and turf.

Products: Culbac Plant Solution, Culbac Green, Culbac Liquid Commercial Seed Treatment, and Culbac Dry Commercial Seed Treatment Plus

Although not a traditional application for lawn and turf, many studies have been conducted in both greenhouse and field settings to identify benefits of Culbac plant products when used as a root dip for turf grasses. When Culbac plant products were used as a root dip for Bermuda grass plugs, Culbac-treated plugs averaged 40% root mass above controls. Additionally, on average Culbac-treated plugs showed 13% more shoot growth than controls. In root dip trials compared to a competitor product, the root and shoot growth for the Culbac-treated plugs was substantially greater than those treated with the competitor product. It is reasonable to conclude that if the root systems of grasses are more fully developed, the durability and healthy growth of shoots should be increased due to the greater uptake of water and nutrients.

Products: Culbac Plant Solution and Culbac Green

Historically, Culbac has proven to be very effective for increasing plant growth when applied on foliage. In trials with commercial sod, whether by planting sprigs or studies using “ribbon strips”, a single application of Culbac promoted observable root growth, by 3 months the Culbac-treated plots had significantly higher root mass, and at 6 months the root growth in the Culbac-treated plots was nearly 100% better than the untreated groups. Investigators also noted that the bare areas between the ribbon stips filled in more rapidly for the Culbac-treated plots than those left untreated.

Because a more extensive root system is developed, one would also expect a greater amount of soil to be retained when sod is cut at harvest time. Core samples taken at harvest in studies showed that Culbac-treated sod had greater amounts of soil adhering to the root system. Trials have been run in many types of grasses, including Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, etc. Each trial demonstrated the benefits of Culbac plant products when delivered to lawn or turf via foliar spray.

Products: Culbac Plant Solution and Culbac Green