Compost tea is nature's solution to golf's economic and environmental problems

Biological management of golf turf has the potential to mitigate ground water contamination that can occur from use of pesticides, as well as reduce the costs associated with fertilizer and fungicide applications. One of the major stumbling blocks to the increased use of biological methods continues to be a lack of understanding of how the microbial communities work in the soil.

The creatures living in the soil are critical to soil quality. They affect soil structure and therefore soil erosion and water availability. They can protect crops from pests and diseases. They are central to decomposition and nutrient cycling and therefore affect plant growth and amounts of pollutants in the environment. Finally, the soil is home to a large proportion of the world's genetic diversity.

Whether you are a concerned citizen, golfer, or golf superintendent, biological turf management has multiple benefits for increasing the health of golf turf while improving the environment were golf course are located.

Much of this information was first brought to public attention when the USDA published The Soil Biology Primer in 2000 (Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), 2000 Soil Biology Primer.  Rev. Ed., Ankeny, Iowa) 

http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/biology.html..  In this publication, scientists defined the term "Soil Food Web" as the community of creatures that spend all or part of their life in the soil”.

For many, this publication was the first time they learned the role microorganisms play in fixing carbon dioxide, creating good soil structure, reducing plant disease, and cycling nutrients. Since its first publication, numerous businesses have formed that use horticultural applications that are based on the principles described in the book. Perhaps one of the most dramatic statements of the Soil Biology Primer was that: All plants – grass, trees, shrubs, agricultural crops – depend on the food web for their nutrition.