Expanded Perlite in Turf Management

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Expanded Perlite in Turf Management
Original Report by: Bruce Schundler

Perlite has been widely tested by leading turf authorities, and successfully used by progressive Golf Course Superintendents, Turf & Sod Farms and general landscape systems.

Why Use Perlite?

Soils, on which turf is grown, are subject to foot traffic and maintenance problems. Proper use of perlite will reduce the problems of turf management.

The Advantages of using Perlite in turf building and maintenance are:

Keeps soil loose and friable.
Permits greater root penetration.
Improves drainage.
Reduces compaction.
Essentially neutral
Sterile, weed and disease free.
Inert, odorless and non-toxic.
Resists extreme soil temperature fluctuations.
Increases water retention.
Has no nutrient value reducing worries about uneven distribution.
Lightweight---quicker and easier to apply.
Cuts labor costs.

In many, many tests over the years, it has been found that the roots of the grass grown in perlite were longer, whiter and had many more fibrous roots. Building with perlite will definitely increase aeration, a significant problem in putting greens. Perlite also helps retain and conserve water. It is also a permanent application, once it is in the ground it will not deteriorate.

For more information about the use of perlite in both turf and landscaping applications, please contact the Perlite Institute or your local perlite supplier.

Technical data given herein are from sources considered reliable, but no guarantee of accuracy can be made or liability assumed. Your supplier may be able to provide you with more precise data. Certain compositions or processes involving perlite may be the subject of patents.

Updated:
16-Nov-2001

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