Each individual grass plant releases sugars through its roots to attract beneficial microbes. In return, those microbes mine nutrients from the soil, cycle organic matter, suppress disease, and improve soil structure. This is so important to the health of plants that they give up around 50% of the sugar they produce during photosynthesis as root exudates.
For an average bowling club, this seasonal "renovation pack" can easily run to £2,000 or more. Fungicides, insecticides, sand, fertiliser, labour, equipment hire, it all adds up. Yet few stop to ask: Is this spend necessary, or is it just habitual?
The highly sandy nature of many bowling greens and the historical routine use of fungicides of course means that the fungal community is at best compromised. However, we can encourage they're development by providing bio-stimulants. These are typically long-chain sugars such as—kelp, humic acid, and molasses derived bio-stimulant materials. In fact, trials have shown that spraying Trichoderma fungi (a natural Fusarium suppressor) with 20 litres of a biostimulant such as Molturf per hectare extended its protective activity for over five weeks. Even at lower rates, molasses is a highly effective and underutilised biostimulant.
In many modern bowling green rootzones—especially those high in sand and low in organic matter—these vital organisms are either missing or severely suppressed. Without a thriving microbial community, thatch accumulates rapidly, leading to a lifeless, compacted surface that invites disease and drainage issues.
Applied monthly during the growing season at label rates, BioActive Yucca keeps moisture availability in the optimal zone for healthy, stress-resilient turf. It can also be used strategically before or during periods of drought to buffer the turf against rapid desiccation.
