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Agronomic Services

At New-Tech we believe agronomy and science are an essential part of turfgrass management. As the golf industry evolves and the demands placed on turfgrass management intensify both from the golfing public and environmental pressures, different and perhaps more innovative methods of management will need to be used more. Comprehensive and accurate information will be needed to cope with these challenges.

In anticipating these future needs we have aligned New-Tech with some of the turfgrass industries most respected testing labs in the world. All of the test data we provide is from fully accredited labs specific to the turfgrass industry and are recognized by the USGA. Each laboratory is completely independent from New-Tech or any of our suppliers and can be contacted directly by any of our clients for further clarification of information.

Chemical Soil Testing

All of our soil testing is done by MDS Harris Laboratories in Lincoln, Nebraska. Harris Labs is fully USGA accredited for soil chemical analysis, soil soluble nutrient analysis and water quality analysis. This laboratory also is fully accredited by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration for pharmaceutical testing. Very high standards indeed.

Each chemical soil, soluble nutrient and water analysis is provided with a worksheet from your New-Tech representative. The worksheet provides the appropriate ranges of nutrient levels plus significant nutrient ratios. With the soluble nutrient analysis, much greater accuracy of fertility requirements is now available. Our experience has found that this information will help the turf manager more accurately select the best products for their fertility program; often significant cost savings are possible.

Physical Soil Testing

Physical soil testing is becoming an increasingly important factor in turfgrass management. Poor soil structure has often been the cause of many turgrass problems and will also directly affect soil chemistry. The health and performance of finely managed turfgrass is obviously strongly influenced by the soil it lives in.

There are a number of scientific test methods utilized by civil engineering and agronomic organizations such as the USGA to define some performance parameters for certain soil structures. This requires analysis of both the physical characteristics of the material sizing and the performance of the soil structure with structured protocols for compaction, water quality and mobility. This information is important not only for constructive purposes but also for amendment programs, and renovation programs even for top dressing selection.

New-Tech, through our associates at Tifton Labs, can provide a wide variety of physical soil testing. They are fully USGA accredited and have over 25 years experience in the turfgrass industry. Tifton Labs are consulted by many of the top golf course designers in the U.S. They provide test data for particle size distribution of sand, percolation rates, total porosity and porosity distribution, water retention levels, bulk density and organic matter levels. Material including amendments for construction, top dressing and deep tine aerification and renovations can be analyzed by Tifton to determine its suitability from sound scientific test protocols. Existing root zones can also be analyzed by Tifton Labs to measure the soils composition and its performance characteristics. This can be very useful when determining growing problems related to soil structure. Undisturbed core samples can also be used to help determine soil amendment programs and selection of materials.

Tissue Testing

We have, for a number of years, offered turf tissue testing analysis. This data provides more information to the turf manager about the plants nutrient usage. Accurate tissue data is very useful in monitoring fertility programs however due to the larger variable factors involved it is not the data to base a comprehensive fertility program from. The best method of utilizing tissue data is to monitor the changes in plant nutrient levels based upon nutrient inputs and amendments, i.e. before and after results. Weather conditions play a big part in tissue test results and needs to be considered with any data.

There are two methods of tissue testing, near infra-red spectagraphy analysis (NIRS) or “Dry” testing and soluble nutrient analysis or “Wet” testing. The methodology used in NIRS only measures chemical bonds of various elements and not the actual element itself. This type of test will sometimes produce misleading test values that are not truly accurate. These samples must be dried down and properly prepared before they are scanned and incorrect handling will also significantly affect results. The “Wet” tissue testing measures each element separately. The actual extraction methodology is very widely accepted in agronomics and has been used for many years. The samples need to be properly shipped but are far less susceptible to degradation as are the dry samples. In particular, for greater accuracy will be noted on Wet tissue test data for minor nutrients and potassium levels.

Wet tissue results require an extra day or so to be completed and are a little more expensive but we feel they provide substantially more accurate information. Our tissue testing is done by the University of Lethbridge.

Disease Identification Testing

Through our associates at Turf Diagnostics Inc. we can provide fast and accurate identification of most diseases affecting turfgrass. We can usually get results within 36 – 48 hours from Turf Diagnostic during the work week. Dr. Jenny McMorrow is well respected in the turfgrass industry and has developed a method of determining disease identification without having to “culture” the samples for a much faster response time. Dr. McMorrows’ recommendations for treatment and future prevention keep in mind the restrictions that face the Canadian golf course superintendents. Dr. McMorrow is also available for direct consultation with the superintendent should the need arise.