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Technical Performance of Inorganic Amendments for Water Conservation

Friday, May 29 | 11:40am - 12:30pm
Location: Gala Rooms 3-4

Speaker: George Serrill, Vice President, EnviroTech Soil Solutions, Inc. 

Description:

Session is devoted to understanding the mineral components of the three inorganic amendments that are approved by the USGA Green Section for golf green rootzone construction, which are calcined clay, calcined diatomaceous earth, and zeolite.  Each of these mineral based inorganics has interactive internal pore space.  Other inorganics do not.

Research is relied upon to direct the narrative about the historical understanding of these products and what properties make them unique and best suited for a given application.  We shall see, as is typical in research, comparisons between products for given properties or function.  We will also see current, successful applications of inorganics in action.   

Attendees will see application rates, cost analysis and limitations of each.  

Due to the increased concern over our fresh water supply, and that porous inorganics are absorbent, we will emphasize inorganic amendment’s potential to improve plant available water to reduce irrigation.  Several studies will be covered to give a representative picture of that potential and how inorganics could play an increasing role in the future.

Learning Objectives:
  • Learn to distinguish features of each inorganic amendment, their primary properties, application rates and relative cost.
  • Review soil properties and how they are influenced by inorganics, and how each mineral body lends itself to improve different soil functions. 
  • Acquire new information on porous inorganics and how they can improve plant available water, contrasted against organics and other amendments.
  • See a diverse palette of projects where inorganics are being successfully used to improve soil and plant health; and to reduce irrigation.
Speaker Bio: George Serrill, Vice President, EnviroTech Soil Solutions, Inc.

George is a former design-build landscape contractor with a pesticide applicator’s license and limited plumber’s license.  George has gained extensive knowledge of soils and amendments used in a wide variety of construction and renovation projects over 20 years. His passion for soil research and learning has shifted our understanding of inorganic mineral’s modes of action, and how they work in the landscape.  He directs EnviroTech’s focus on water conservation.