Stuart Pearson

Soil science enthusiast

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

@chloe_gall Hi Chloe, how do you plan to reduce nematode activity going forward? Thanks. Stuart

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

So many different philosophies and products on the market to achieve optimum sports turf surfaces, how does one decide the right path?? Results in the field or trial data from industry manufacturers??

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

@ClubWheatley Not all companies unfortunately, some reward the overuse of fungicides rather than encourage good maintenance practices to reduce disease incidences.

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

If getting the right biology & chemistry for the growth of fine turf grasses leads to a reduction in chemical use would this upset the big companies pushing fungicide programs 🤔 Just trying to understand some of the advice I hear on a daily basis?

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

@marks_sm1th @MarkSim93794378 I’m sure the golfer would love you to hollow core 5 times per year!! Bents will thrive given the right environment, once you balance the soil chemistry everything else falls into place 👌

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

@countyturf @BrentfordFC @nut250 @premierturfing Do you have any data on the longevity for this type of hybrid system? Thanks

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

@AndrewCulbert3 Surely this needs to change, especially for clubs who invest in a new pitch but can’t justify ripping it up after 10 years!

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

Had an interesting discussion with a groundsman today regarding hybrid pitches. Is the common 10 year lifecycle down to the deterioration of the fibres or is it a fouling up of the rootzone that contributes to a lack of performance?

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

@AndrewCulbert3 So in your opinion soil biology is critical in extending the playability of a hybrid pitch? I would agree but then can’t understand why so many pitch consultants advise high N feeding 🤔

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

@AndrewCulbert3 Thanks for the reply. My Question then would be what serves as a “proper maintenance and nutrition program?” How many hybrid pitches in the UK are beyond the 10 year mark but still performing to an optimal level??

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

@Microbes4Plants Thanks for the reply. Was any sand used during this time? Also, is this working alongside a current nutrient program and have the club reduced its inputs since the start of the trial?

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

@Microbes4Plants Interesting pictures, could you advise on which particular products were actually used and also whether it was alongside aeration practices? Thanks

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

@festucaman Thanks for the info, imagine you would need to times that figure by 10 to get anywhere near a football league groundsman’s N input!!

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

Couldn’t agree more with this article, our industry has been brainwashed to think all aeration at all times is a positive? Soil structure, soil health and OM control are the key to well functioning surfaces.

[Micah Woods @micahwoodsturf]

Does coring or spiking help bentgrass make it through summer? Not always. “Core cultivation had no effect on turfgrass quality ... There were no differences related to turfgrass quality and summer spiking.” #TurfReads https://t.co/z67bT7ZQAq

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

IMO, The increasing use of inorganic fertilisers are a major contributor to poor soils which result in weak, chemical dependent plants.

[Stuart Pearson @StuPsoilscience]

To say "the life of the soil" is important is an understatement. The life of the soil (micro and macro-organisms) helps maintain soil structure, suppress some plant pests, breakdown organic matter, mineralize and recycle nutrients, fix nitrogen and detoxify pollutants