Drypatch, Puddle forminging, fungal diseases, retarded growth often have their origin in a disturbed water / air balance in the soil. Improving these circumstances can be realised through aeration maintenance. Often the soil construction is far from its optimum and this causes problems to re-occur rapidly. In such circumstances the help of soil improvers may be required.

In may 2010 Melspring started a research after the effects of its soil improvers Matrix and Stor-it on golfgreens. On 4 locations throughout The Netherlands both products were applied against a reference with out a soil improver. Further maintenance and fertilization were identical, unless the use of soil improvers would give cause to amendment of the plans. Applications were done in June and autumn. All objects are closely monitered by the independant research and consultancy firm Lumbricus always together with the greenkeepers.

During the monitoring of the greens the vitality (density, colour, growth, diseases, etc) are accessed and the following soil measurements have been done: moisture content, EC values, penetration force, penetration depth, thatch condition etc.).
On 3 out of 4 golfcourses a tendency of more homogene greens is noticeable on the treated (Matrix and Stor-it) greens. The improved water / air balance gives higher vitality as well as reduced fungal presure as can be seen by comparing the 2 photo's below.
 
left: untreated (cores still open) - right: treated with Stor-it (cores almost closed and more vital turf)

There also appears to be a relationship between the grain size of the sand and the visibility of the effects. A relatively fine sand holds more moisture and this leads to a shorter root system. Addition of soil improvers leads to more active lateral rooting in the top 10 cm of the soil allowing better uptake of nutrients. Matrix shows clearly positive effects on the vitality of the turf, moisture buffering and reduction of thatch.

Remarkable for Stor-it is the higher moisture buffering in dry periods and the higher moisture drainage in wet periods. The regulating buffer is demonstrated here.