TURF AGRONOMIST SERVICES.

As turf agronomists and sports turf consultants, Gilba Solutions offers independent turf agronomy services for turfgrass management. We are firm believers that when it comes to turf agronomy a scientific approach is the best approach to take.

That’s why our clients range from top tier golf courses to stadium managers, and UK Premier League Clubs.

Our customers appreciate a personal service from University qualified staff tailored to their specific needs, rather than a one shoe fits all approach.

As turf agronomists we work closely with turf managers to produce the best possible playing surfaces. With over 35 years experience in both the UK and Australia, we are able to offer the best in independent agronomic advice. All our recommendations are based on good science and not a sales driven approach.

As one of the few companies in Australia to employ a University qualified Soil Scientist we are confident we can tailor any program to meet your budget.

One Shoe doesn’t fit everyone.

Gilba Solutions are the premier turf agronomists in Australia, and in particular turf grass digital solutions. We offer a data driven approach to manage soil moisture, turf health and the playability of your turf surfaces.

Factors such as the climate, rootzone, grass type and budget are all considered in any program we develop.

We were the first company in Australia to commercialise agronomic practices such as.

• NDVI, soil moisture and soil profile GPS compaction mapping.
• The only stand alone non staining turf pigment plus biostimulant
• The introduction of a slow release magnesium fertilizer.

As turf agronomists we:

• Support organisations that help promote the turf industry, such as International Greenkeepers for Hire.
• Believe that regular testing of products and their claims is a good thing. See our 2022/2023 work on soil surfactants and their impact on soil organic matter.
• Educate on non-chemical alternatives. Our recent blog on DIY pest control is for home gardeners and lawn owners who don’t want to use pesticides around their houses.

Sportsground safety

Aesthetics are one of several factors that affect turf quality. The increase in women’s sports is placing more pressure on existing playing surfaces, which raises the issue of player safety.

That’s where a turf agronomist can play an important role.

Turf Agronomist services – Sports Field Audits and remote sensing.

Turf agronomy allows you to audit a sports surface, and gain a real-time snapshot of the condition of a sports surface. This enables you to:

• Map, measure, and monitor turf grass.
• Reduce the use of turf chemicals, fertiliser, and water.
• Quantify turf health.
• Identify how surface hardness and sub-surface compaction are affecting the safety of the playing surface. 
• Identify poor practices.
• Have an easy-to-read report with simple recommendations.
• Identify any problems with drainage, soil, and turf selection, and finally
• Identify any limitations with turf nutrition, labour, etc.

Turf agronomist services – Surface hardness:

A cone penetrometer quantifies issues with surface and subsurface compaction, and highlights any potential safety concerns. 

Turf Health assessments:

An NDVI allows early detection of existing or future problems. A turf agronomist uses the data to identify issues such as disease, the impact of shade on turf grass, or even wear.

Soil moisture mapping as Turf Agronomists:

We use the latest GPS-enabled soil moisture sensors to map the moisture distribution, identify problems, and conduct irrigation audits.

Clients who use this service include:

• The NRL;
• Sydney University;
• Accor Stadium;
• Comm Bank Stadium;
• Knox Grammar;
• Kings School and
• The ACT Government.

Turf Agronomist – Sports Turf Hours of use.

Several factors limit the amount of use a sports field can take. These are:

• The construction type;
• What age are the players? Older players cause more wear than children;
• What turf type is present? Turf grass varies in its wear tolerance;
• When is it being used? The time of year has an impact on wear and recovery and
• Does the site have drainage or irrigation? A wet field is more prone to damage than a dry one.

Below is a summary of hours of ground use.

• On a well-maintained sand-based field, limit use to 14-18 hours a week ;
• Use of a ground over the Winter has the most impact on turf quality. At this time of year turf growth and recovery are slow;
• Work in the UK shows that for perennial ryegrass:

The turf type, has a big impact on the level of use a ground can deal with.

Rules to maintain surface quality:

• Don’t train in high-wear areas like goalmouths.
• Spread wear and don’t train in the same location repeatedly. 
• Carry out repairs asap; divot fill straight after a game;
• Repetitive drills are killers, so do not carry these out on the field of play and
• Carry out regular maintenance work.

Turf Agronomist Trial Work.

Gilba Solutions develops and improves products in the market. This led to the introduction of Vertmax and Vertmax Duo turf pigments. Vertmax Duo contains a high load of salicylic acid.

Our recent turf agronomy research looks at turf pigments, and soil wetting agents. 

Other Turf Agronomist Services.

Soil testing.

Turf agronomy is the study of soil, and Jerry Spencer our Senior turf agronomist has an Hons Degree in Soil Science.

A Soil test gives information on a soil’s physical and chemical characteristics. How useful a soil test is depends on several factors:

• How is a sample taken? Was it representative?
• Before you test when did you last apply fertilizer?
• What extractants does the test laboratory use? and 
• The interpretation of the results.

In the worst-case scenario, if you don’t know the answers to the above then soil testing is pointless. 

Soil testing tips.

• You can soil test at any time of the year;
• Don’t sample within two weeks of the use of a fertilizer that contains P, Mg, K, or Ca;
• Unless you have a specific problem or test a sand-based construction, test every three years.

Water testing.

Turf Managers often overlook water quality. However, when you consider it affects turf and the results from turf chemicals, you should give water testing more serious thought. 

A turf agronomist can identify how chemicals present in the water can:

• Impact soil chemical/physical properties and turf performance;
• Effect the rate of alkaline hydrolysis and
• Impact tank foam. 

Turf Blog.

We write our Turf Blog is from the perspective of a turf agronomist. It covers topics such as:

• 2024 Soil wetting agent research.
• How granular gypsum products can vary.
• The impact of Global Warming on weed control.
• The role of blue light in shade;
• Factors that affect herbicide performance;
• The role of salicylic acid in turf stress;
• Indicator weeds;
• NZ and US turf-type ryegrass
• Pythium in turf and how to manage it and
• Ground pearl in turf.
• Weed Profiles on:
• Petty Spurge.
• Swinecress
• Amaranth
• Cleavers
• Sowthistle
• Heal All
• Dock
• Pigweed
• Creeping Buttercup