Unlocking the Power of Root-Mimicking Chemistry in Turf Management

Turfgrass management is all about efficiency—maximizing nutrient availability, optimizing soil conditions, and enhancing plant response to stress. But one of the most overlooked factors in achieving elite turf performance is the role of Biofunctional Acids.

These powerful compounds interact with both the soil and the plant, driving nutrient efficiency, microbial activity, and plant resilience. What makes them truly remarkable is their ability to mimic natural root exudates—the biochemical signals plants use to modify their environment.

What are BioFunctional Acids?

Biofunctional Acids are a broad class of organic acids, each with a specific role in plant and soil function. They include:

Humic Acids

Long-chain organic molecules that improve soil structure, increase cation exchange capacity (CEC), and enhance nutrient retention.

Fulvic Acids

The building blocks of proteins, essential for stress tolerance, enzyme activation, and energy transfer.

Other Organic Acids

Turfgrass roots naturally release exudates that influence microbial communities and improve nutrient solubility—Biofunctional Acids can replicate this effect.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins, essential for stress tolerance, enzyme activation, and energy transfer.

Why Turfgrass Needs BioFuncational Acids

On golf courses and sports fields, turf is constantly under stress—low mowing heights, compaction, heavy play, and nutrient leaching. Biofunctional acids work behind the scenes to improve both soil function and plant efficiency, making them an essential tool in a modern turf program.

  • Nutrient Efficiency & Availability
  • One of the biggest challenges in turf nutrition is nutrient loss—leaching, tie-up in the soil, or poor uptake by the plant. Biofunctional Acids enhance nutrient efficiency in multiple ways:
  • Chelation – Fulvic and organic acids bind to nutrients, keeping them soluble and available for plant uptake.
  • Improved CEC – Humic acids increase soil exchange sites, allowing the soil to retain more nutrients.
  • Daily Acitivies – Enhances carbohydrate storage to help turf withstand daily stress.
  • Soil Health & Microbial Activation
  • Soil is more than just a medium—it’s an active, living system. Biofunctional Acids feed beneficial microbes, improving nutrient cycling, organic matter breakdown, and soil aeration.
  • Humic Acids – Stimulate microbial activity, increasing natural nutrient mineralization.
  • Organic Acids – Help solubilize bound phosphorus in the soil.
  • Fulvic Acids – Improve water infiltration and help buffer soil pH.
  • Stress Tolerance & Recovery
  • Every high-performance turf system faces heat, drought, compaction, and traffic stress. Biofunctional Acids play a critical role in keeping turf in a high-energy state by:
  • Enhancing Root Growth – Creating a stronger foundation for drought tolerance.
  • Reducing Oxidative Stress – Amino acids act as antioxidants, improving recovery from heat and wear.
  • Boosting Photosynthesis Efficiency – Supporting plant metabolism even under stressful conditions.

How to Use BioFunctional Acids In Your Turf Program

The best way to use biofunctional acids? Make them part of your regular foliar and soil program.

  • Apply with foliar nutrients – Increases uptake efficiency and enhances absorption.
  • Use in spray tank mixes – They’re compatible with most fertilizers and plant defense activators.
  • Include them in stress management plans – Apply pre-stress conditioning treatments to keep turf prepared for extreme weather.