Healthy turf starts below the surface. While colour, density and presentation often take centre stage, it is the biological activity within the soil and the strength of the root system that ultimately determine how well turf performs under stress.
Recent independent trials examining ReGen Replenish, a concentrated organic fish hydrolysate developed by ReGen Amenity, provide an interesting insight into how improving soil biology can positively influence turf health, root development and plant resilience.
A Focus on Soil Biology
The trial results demonstrated significant improvements across several key indicators of soil life following the use of ReGen Replenish.
Compared to baseline measurements, microbial biomass increased by 85%, while mycorrhizal fungi rose by 106.66%. Protozoa populations recorded the largest increase at 267.85%, alongside increases of 66.6% in total bacteria and 85.71% in total fungi. These measurements suggest a more active and biologically diverse soil environment capable of supporting healthier turf growth.
For turf managers increasingly looking towards regenerative practices, improvements in soil biology are becoming just as important as traditional nutrient inputs.
Stronger Roots, Greater Resilience
Perhaps the most noticeable findings came from the root development monitoring carried out by Lagan Valley Scientific.
The study compared untreated turf with turf receiving monthly applications of ReGen Replenish at 10 litres per hectare over several months. Throughout the monitoring period, treated turf consistently produced greater fresh root mass than the untreated control, with some sampling dates recording increases of more than 90%.
The study concluded that there was a visible difference in root mass between treated and untreated turf, reinforcing the importance of supporting below-ground development rather than focusing solely on surface growth.
A stronger root system can help plants access water and nutrients more efficiently, particularly during periods of environmental stress.
Improved Plant Performance
Alongside improvements in soil biology and rooting, independent grass trials also measured changes in plant performance.
Compared with a conventional chemical fertiliser programme, ReGen Replenish produced:
- 9.65% increase in crop weight
- 3.96% increase in dry matter
- 7.89% increase in crude protein
While these figures relate to controlled trial conditions, they indicate that biological approaches can complement nutritional programmes by improving overall plant performance.
Performance in Practice
The independent findings are also reflected in practical experience from the field.
Marc Anderton of St Mellons Golf Club commented:
“Since adding ReGen Replenish into our programme we have seen a noticeable increase in root mass and plant resilience, even during high stress periods.”
Such observations reinforce the value of combining scientific testing with real-world application.
Supporting Regenerative Turf Management
As the sports turf industry continues to explore more sustainable management practices, products that enhance soil biology are becoming an increasingly important part of integrated maintenance programmes.
ReGen Replenish is a 1.1.1 concentrated organic fish hydrolysate that is certified for use on organic farms and is recommended as both a fertiliser and soil conditioner. The product is manufactured using 100% organic raw materials and naturally occurring bacteria.
While no single product provides a complete solution, the independently measured improvements in soil biology, root development and plant performance demonstrate the potential role biological soil conditioners can play in helping turf managers build healthier, more resilient playing surfaces over the long term.