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Biologicals and their Benefits to Turf and Soil Health

August 24, 2021

Biologicals and their Benefits to Turf and Soil Health

August 24, 2021
WHAT ARE BIOLOGICALS?

Biologicals are products that contain components from living or once living organisms. Biologicals offer many significant benefits to turf and soil health and can be applied to plants, flowers, vegetables, and trees. Some of these positive benefits include improved root growth, stress tolerance, increased microbial activity, improved nutrient availability and soil water holding capacity. With a variety of biological products available it can be overwhelming to know which one to choose. To assist, we have categorized them into several groups so you can better understand their differences and unique roles they play in promoting turf and soil health. Most of these products can be applied alone or can be be blended/coated on fertilizer.

soil microbes
filmic acid
Kelp Seaweed Extract

BIOLOGICAL CATEGORIES

Listed below are the major categories of biologicals and their key benefits to turf and soil health.


1. Beneficial Microbes

Organisms found in soil where food sources are plentiful. Beneficial microbes used in biologicals are:

  • Bacteria
  • Fungi (mycorrhizae)


Benefits:


Bacteria

  • Fix nitrogen gas from the air into usable forms for plants
  • Convert urea into inorganic nitrogen for plant use
  • Share metabolites with plants


Fungi (Mycorrhizae)

  • Act as an extension of plant root systems
  • Defend plants against pathogenic bacteria


2. Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs)

Chemical substances that are used to regulate the growth of plants.


Benefits:

PGR's regulate the rate of various plant processes including growth, homeostasis, reproduction, pathogen defense, and abiotic stress tolerance.


3. Humic Substances occur naturally in soils as a result of the breakdown of organic matter. Humic substances in biologicals are:

  • Fulvic Acid
  • Humic Acid
  • Humins


Benefits (Humic):

  • Stimulate root growth
  • Chelate and complex macro and micronutrients
  • Increase the soil’s Cation Exchange Capacity (C.E.C.)
  • Reduce soil compaction
  • Retain moisture in soils
  • Enhance the soil quality for beneficial microbes


4. Kelp (Seaweed) Extracts

Marine-based species of plants and algae.


Benefits:

Kelp helps plants adapt their physiology to abiotic stressors such as heat, cold, drought, and salt.


5. Metabolites

Microbial metabolites are a byproduct of beneficial soil bacteria (microbes), which are a natural, rich source of protein hydrolysates, organic acids, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fulvic acids. There are two types of metabolites, primary and secondary. Both of which are highly beneficial to plant and soil health.


Benefits:

  • Providing organic compounds essential for plant growth and development 
  • Driving the plants biochemistry including respiration, cell division, energy production and reproduction 
  • Helping plants cope with many biotic and abiotic stresses 
  • Improving plants survivability by boosting disease resistance and discouraging herbivory (insect damage)


6. Enzymes

Protein molecules in cells.


Benefits:

Accelerate metabolic and catabolic reactions associated with the plant’s metabolism.



For biologicals or fertilizers enhanced with biologicals including humic and AMP-XC™ products available, please visit TurfCare’s online Product Catalog.
 
For green industry professionals or others interested in ordering Turfcare products, please contact our Customer Service to find a distributor near you.


References:
Photos:

Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog

Turf Care and Beaty Fertilizer Unite for Growth, Innovation, and Increased Value to Customers

April 18, 2025
Turf Care Supply, LLC, a portfolio company of Platte River Equity, has officially acquired Beaty Fertilizer, the industry respected Tennessee-based manufacturer and blender of custom granular and liquid fertilizers, as well as combination products. This strategic move expands Turf Care’s manufacturing footprint, adds new product capabilities, and enhances overall production capacity. “The partnership with Beaty Fertilizer marks a major milestone in our journey and an important step forward in our mission to grow, innovate and lead in our industry,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “This acquisition is more than just expansion; it’s a powerful opportunity to strengthen our product offerings, broaden our market reach and provide greater value to our customers. By welcoming Beaty into the Turf Care family, we are reinforcing our commitment to excellence and positioning ourselves for an even brighter future.” “We are excited about this next step in the Beaty Fertilizer story. For almost 50 years, our family and our employees have worked hard to serve customers and communities with pride and heart,” said John Beaty, President of Beaty. “Now, we are embracing an opportunity for growth with Turf Care. With our combined know-how and resources, we’ll keep building on what we’ve worked so hard to create and bring even more value to our customers, employees and partners. We truly believe this partnership will keep the Beaty legacy going strong while opening up new doors for growth and innovation.” Tarun Kanthety, Vice President at Platte River, added, “We believe the acquisition of Beaty Fertilizer represents a strategic step in expanding Turf Care’s footprint and product breadth... as it scales and enhances its value proposition to customers.”

Grub Management: Understanding Life Cycles and Optimal Treatment Timing

April 18, 2025
Root out Grubs, Before they Attack Yours! White grubs, the immature stage of several scarab beetles—including Japanese beetles, masked chafers, May and June beetles, and green June beetles—are a major threat to turfgrass across the Southeast. These beetles follow a complete metamorphosis (egg, grub, pupa, adult), with most species completing their cycle in one year. Eggs are laid in early summer, grubs hatch within two weeks, and begin feeding on turfgrass roots through the late summer and fall. May and June beetles differ slightly, with a two- to three-year life cycle and prolonged feeding as third-instar grubs. Grubs damage turf by severing roots, causing grass to yellow, wilt, or lift easily from the soil. Feeding is typically concentrated in patches and worsens during hot, dry weather. Wildlife digging for grubs can create further turf destruction. Healthy turf may tolerate 5–10 grubs per square foot, but damage becomes evident as populations rise or turf is under stress. Early detection and timing are essential. Scouting begins in late June, shortly after adult beetle activity peaks. Monitoring plants favored by beetles can signal egg-laying is underway. Treatment is most effective when small grubs are active—typically from mid-July through early August. For professional turfgrass managers, insecticides containing imidacloprid (Merit®), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn®), or trichlorfon (Dylox®) are the most effective tools. The primary months of preventative application of Acelepryn® is from April to end of May and Merit® from April into July - targeting grubs before they hatch. Curative treatments with Dylox® or similar products are applied July through the fall, when young grubs are feeding and most vulnerable. Always follow label directions for optimal application and safety. Timing may vary slightly by regional seasonal needs. Turf Care Supply has a variety of professional TCS Growstar insecticide fertilizers available to protect your turf and prevent grub damage, before it starts. Click on the button below to view products, contact your sales rep for addition TC Growstar products available.

Platte River Equity - Press Release: Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc.

October 9, 2024
Platte River Equity Portfolio Company Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc. Brunswick, OH , October 9, 2024 – Platte River Equity (“Platte River”) portfolio company Turf Care Supply, LLC (“Turf Care”) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (“Agri-Nutrients”), a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the turf & ornamental (“T&O”) industry. This strategic acquisition provides Turf Care with an established presence in the south-central United States, an enhanced product portfolio and additional manufacturing capacity. “This acquisition represents much more than a business transaction; it is a strategic step forward in expanding our reach and enhancing our customers’ growth. By bringing Agri-Nutrients into the Turf Care family, we are broadening our product portfolio, expanding our market presence and further positioning ourselves as a leader in providing innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “We are excited about joining the Turf Care team,” said Jim Montgomery, President of Agri-Nutrients. “At Agri-Nutrients, our core values center around customer service and product innovation, and we are confident that this combination will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers.” “Platte River welcomes the Agri-Nutrients team to Turf Care. This transaction underscores our long-term commitment to fostering growth through both organic and inorganic initiatives across the Turf Care platform,” said Tarun Kanthety, Vice President of Platte River. “The partnership with Agri-Nutrients strengthens Turf Care’s value-added offering, creating additional growth opportunities across the combined customer base.” B&A Corporate Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Agri-Nutrients. About Agri-Nutrients Founded in 1992 and based in Catoosa, OK, Agri-Nutrients is a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the T&O industry, predominantly selling into the lawn care, sports turf and golf course end markets. About Turf Care Supply Established in 1974, Turf Care Supply is one of the largest formulators and blenders of urea products to the T&O market. Turf Care has a comprehensive product portfolio of fertilizers, combination products (herbicide/insecticide), soil amendments and enhanced efficiency fertilizer ingredients. Turf Care's products are sold to distributors and blenders serving the commercial, residential and golf end markets. Turf Care operates four manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the eastern U.S. About Platte River Equity Founded in 2006 and based in Denver, CO, Platte River Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in established lower middle market operating companies within targeted industrial sectors where it has substantial operating and investing experience. Platte River utilizes prudent capital structures in order to invest in future growth opportunities and withstand changing economic environments. The firm also provides significant ongoing support to its portfolio companies through dedicated resources across functional areas. The firm has raised funds with committed capital in excess of $1.6 billion and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The Platte River team is the largest collective investor across its funds, deeply aligning the firm with its investors and portfolio company management teams.
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