Complete guide for soccer and golf turf maintenance

Maintaining turf in perfect condition is both an art and a science, especially on golf and football fields, where the durability, appearance, and performance of the turf are key. Well-maintained turf not only enhances the playing experience but also contributes to cost savings and the sustainability of the field.

In this comprehensive guide, we will outline the best maintenance practices, incorporating fertilizers, substrates, and biostimulants from seaweed and microorganisms, successfully tested on various golf courses, such as Foressos Golf in Valencia.

The Importance of
Playing on healthy and strong turf  

In both golf and football, maintaining well-kept turf is essential for achieving optimal game quality. On a golf course, uniform and well-maintained turf on greens, fairways, and tees ensures greater precision and control in the game. On football fields, quality turf offers greater speed in the game and reduces the risk of injuries by providing adequate cushioning and greater resistance to intensive use.

Common challenges in
Golf course maintenance

Maintaining a golf course faces several specific challenges daily due to its size and frequency of use:

Soil Compaction

Constant traffic compacts the soil, hindering water and nutrient penetration.

Heat Stress

During the summer, turf can show signs of stress if hydration is not managed properly.

Pests and Diseases

The appearance of fungi and pests can seriously compromise turf health

To address these three major challenges, greenkeepers typically implement specific care practices.

We will explain how fertilizers, substrates, biostimulants, and biological fortifiers from seaweed extracts and microorganisms have proven to be perfect allies in tackling these three major problems.

Success case of Foressos Golf (Valencia, Spain):
Two years without chemicals

For several years, environmental sustainability has been a priority in golf course maintenance in Spain, Europe, and much of the world.

Whether irrigating with treated water, using hybrid or electric mowers instead of combustion ones, reducing chemical inputs, or lowering energy consumption in the maintenance facility, many golf courses, clubs, and resorts have implemented actions and strategies to reduce the impact of daily activities on the natural environment.

One such facility is Foressos Golf in Valencia, which has gone a step further and developed a 100% sustainable maintenance policy for its 18 holes over the past two years. Led by its greenkeeper José Muñoz, almost all products used, many from Ficosterra, have unique characteristics that ensure the course receives “zero chemicals” while reducing maintenance costs by 30%, maintaining perfect condition.

If you are interested in learning more about these techniques, we invite you to watch this webinar organized by Golfindustria Magazine, where this experienced greenkeeper shares the secrets used in maintaining the course.

Application of biostimulants
at Foressos Golf

The maintenance team at Foressos Golf has been applying fertilizers, substrates, and biostimulants from seaweed and microorganisms for two years, a 100% ecological and sustainable alternative that has replaced chemical products while reducing field maintenance costs by 30%.

Here are the products and dosages used at this Valencian golf club:

Cystium-k

Anti-stress treatment biostimulant. Pure
extract of the giant seaweed Macrocystis pyrifera. Provides alginates (sugars) for crop management and excellent nutritional support for fertilization.

Applied foliarly after reseeding and before the first irrigation, at a dose of 3 liters per hectare. In hot months, it is also applied to strengthen the turf against water stress.

Ficosturf

A biofertilizer developed with BCB (Biological Crop Booster) technology that enriches the soil’s biological potential. It improves turf establishment and development without added chemicals. Transforms organic matter, reducing thatch and black layer phenomena. Rich in microorganisms that help recover soil microflora and microfauna and aid in soil regeneration. Improves soil structure and nutritional balance.

Applied through fertigation at a dose of 50 liters per hectare on greens and 20 liters on fairways and tees. Dosages should be adjusted for optimal use on football fields.

Rhizomare

Algae and microorganism biostimulant in powder form. A soil activator and nitrogen fixer. Rhizomare provides prebiotic (seaweed) and probiotic (microorganisms) elements that fix nitrogen and solubilize phosphorus, potassium, and iron.

The concentration of brown algae provides many trace elements and alginates that help the crop better withstand abiotic stress.

Applied 3-4 times a year on greens during the growing season, reducing the need for frequent conventional fertilizer applications.

The optimal time to apply these products is early in the morning, after mowing and with light irrigation to facilitate soil absorption and prevent them from drying on the surface. For fairways and tees, irrigation is adjusted according to climatic conditions and mowing schedule.

Seaweed Bokashi

An organic amendment used as a soil regenerator, an exclusive Ficosterra product of natural origin that provides all the active principles of seaweed to the crop. Contains no animal or chemical raw materials.

The main benefits of bokashi are:

• Promotes turf rooting and rapid root growth in reseeding.
• Provides nutrients organically.
• Increases water retention.
• Enhances natural resistance to diseases.
• A 100% plant-based product, free of seed residues and weeds

For more information on applications and dosages, you can contact info@ficosterra.com.