BRZ™ has been used extensively for the development of golf course greens. It is an excellent soil amendment for sports fields, commons areas, parks, lawns, gardens, for any sandy soils, and for higher value crops such as vegetables, fruits, potatoes, alfalfa, etc.

For the construction of new golf course greens and tees, lawns, gardens, or for sandy soils replace
10 to 20 % of the sand with an equal volume of BRZ™. This should be applied in the top 2 to
4 inches. For top dressing, approximately 30 to 60 pounds should be applied per 1,000 square feet
or 1,200 to 2,500 pounds per acre. To enhance aerification after plugging, apply 60 to 150 pounds
per 1,000 square feet or 2,500 to 6,500 pounds per acre. For crops and grasses successful improvements have been realized with as little as 1 ton per acre. Generally, 2 to 10 tons per acre are applied depending on the composition of the soil being treated. BRZ™ can be spread by hand broadcasting, using a manure spreader, or by other devices. Although top dressing works, generally 
it is better to mix the BRZ™ in the top 2 to 4 inches with a rototiller, spike tooth harrow, or a disc harrow. Plowing BRZ™ in, places it deeper than necessary. For row crops such as corn or
soybeans, BRZ™ can be applied with a side disc or by side banding. After application, the area
must be irrigated, because fresh BRZ™ will absorb moisture from the surrounding soil and can
result in dehydration of the plants or grasses.
 

• Mineral:         Volcanic mineral called "clinoptilolite" (see spec sheet)

• Size:              14 x 40 mesh

• GRAS:            Classified as “GRAS” (generally regarded as safe)
              under 21 CFR Part 182.2729, 40 CFR Part 180.1001

• Color:             Pale green when dry, dark green when wet

• Moisture:       Holds up to 55% of its weight in water

• Surface Area:            High surface area 24.9 square meters/gram

• Porosity:         High porosity

• CEC:               High CEC, typical 160-180 meq/100gram

• Weight:           55 pounds per cubic foot

• Hardness:      Low clay, hard, abrasion resistant

• Potassium:     3.5% (plant available but not water soluble)

• Calcium:         1.6%  which is a pH buffer and plant nutrient

• Sodium:          <0.5% (none water soluble)

• Hydrophilic:

BRZ™ has two methods of holding fluids and plant nutrients. The first is by "absorption". It will
absorb up to 55 % of its weight in water or other liquids. Water, ammonium (nitrogen), and other
plant nutrients that are held in this position are loosely held and are water soluble. This is the first
big advantage the zeolite offers a drought insurance program. In sandy soils where the water permeates through the growth zone to the aquifer, it will hold the water in the growth zone. The
second method is absorption by cation exchange (measured as cation exchange capacity or “CEC”). BRZ™ holds cations such as ammonium (nitrogen), potassium, calcium, and other plant nutrients within the mineral lattice where it is not water- soluble. However, the cations and plant nutrients are plant accessible on a plant demand basis. The nitrogen in this position, for instance, will not burn the plant. This is the second big advantage. The zeolite will hold nitrogen fertilizers in the growth zone where they are plant accessible. Typically, 30 to 35 % of the conventional nitrogen fertilizers leach directly to the water table where they cause pollution of the aquifer.

Wallace Laboratories

365 Coral Circle

El Segundo, CA 90245

Phone (310) 615-0116 Fax (310) 640-6863

September 19, 2001

Re: Zeolite growth experiment

Nine treatments were studied with radishes. Gypsum was added to all zeolite treatments. Gypsum was applied to lower the alkalinity.

Treatment 1 was zeolite with gypsum. The growth of the radishes was poor. The leaves were yellow. The average dry weight per plant shoot was 24 milligrams.

Treatment 2 was zeolite plus 15% by volume peat moss. Peat moss contains micronutrients. It also would slightly dilute the zeolite and may increase the aeration of the media. The leaves were also yellow. The average dry weight per plant shoot was 29 milligrams. There was a slight increase in growth but probably not statistically significant.

Treatment 3 was zeolite, 15% by volume peat moss and 2 grams of hydroponic fertilizer. All nutrients were supplied in the ratios of plant requirement. Nitrogen was supplied in four forms. This treatment
will remove nutrients deficiencies. The shoots were green. The yield was 143 milligram dry weight
per plant. This was the second highest yield. Zeolite is supportive of good plant growth if
supplemented with nutrients. Without the addition of nutrients, growth is poor as seen in treatments
1 and 2.

Treatment 4 was zeolite plus peat moss plus 1 gram of ureaform. Ureaform is a slow-release
nitrogen fertilizer. It releases nitrogen by microbial decomposition. The rate of release is fairly well correlated with temperature changes. The temperature range of the study was about 50 to 80
degrees F. (nighttime and daytime extremes). The growth was 68 milligrams dry weight per shoot.
This is 2.3 times better than without nitrogen. It is 48% of the yield with all nutrients. More nutrients
are needed than what is supplied by zeolite, peat moss and ureaform.

Treatment 5 was half zeolite, half number 16 sand, 15% by volume peat moss and 2 grams of the hydroponic fertilizer. Yield was 166 milligrams per shoot dry weight. This is 16% better than what it
was without the sand. The increased yield is not due to nutritional differences but probably due to increased aeration.

Treatment 6 was similar to treatment 4 except that phosphorus was applied. The major nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen and phosphorus were applied. Zeolite is high in potassium. Micronutrients are expected to be supplied by the peat moss. Yield was 115 milligrams
per shoot. This is 80% of the yield with the hydroponic fertilizer.

Treatment 7 was the same as treatment 6 except that peat moss was not applied. Yield was 59 milligrams. This is 51% of treatment 6. The inclusion of peat moss increases the yield 94%. On average, there is about 2 to 3 time higher absorption of micronutrients with the addition of peat moss.

Treatment 8 was number 16 sand, 15% by volume peat moss and the hydroponic fertilizers. Yield
per plant was 50 milligrams. The University of California mix developed in the 1950s is sand/peat
moss mixtures. Zeolite and peat moss increased the yield by 186% (2.86 times greater). Zeolite, number 16 sand and peat moss increased the yield by 232% (3.32 times greater). When nutrients
are not limiting, zeolite is a better component for growth media than sand. The best appears to be
both sand and zeolite.

Treatment 9 was a mix manufactured by one of the better local suppliers. Yield was 121 milligrams. Treatments 3 and 5 outperform their media.

The tissues were analyzed. They all had excess sulfur. Apparently, the media should have been leached after the addition of gypsum prior to the growth study. Zinc was excessive except in
treatments 3, 5 and 9. The treatments with the higher growth rates diluted the zinc by increasing
the biomass. Excess zinc is toxic may have limited the growth more than normal. Zeolite has high cation retention and may have retained zinc from the irrigation line that was galvanized. Potassium
and calcium were well supplied. Sodium and chloride were excessive. Radishes are fairly tolerant
of sodium and chloride.

Conclusions

This size zeolite is better than sand for the manufacturing of growth media. A slightly larger material may function better than the 14/40 mesh material. Aeration is too low with the current particle size unless sand is applied. A 14/20 may work better or a 12/20 may work well.

More leaching is needed to reduce excess salts. Gypsum will reduce the alkalinity but residual
sulfate apparently needs to be leached.

Tests were conducted and reported on November 01, 2002 by Tifton Physical Soil Testing Laboratory of Tifton, Georgia for physical and particle analysis of a 90/10 sand/peat mix and a soil amendment mixed at 10%, 15%, 20%, by volume.

Tests were also conducted by NCDA for a soil chemical analysis on a soil from a newly planted nursery green which was built with 20% BRZ on half the green and a sand/soil/peat mix on the other half. Also measured was a soil sample from a green currently in play on the same course (G2 bent
on 85:15 sand: peat mix).

As expected, the BRZ amended greens mix performed better on both the physical test and the chemical analysis than any of the other mixes; sand/peat, or sand/peat/soil.

Notes per Tifton Physical Test:

·                     Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity increased as much a 2” per hour.

·                     Capillary & Non-Cap pore space increased

·                     Water Retention at field capacity improved with BRZ

·                     The greens mix improved as more BRZ was added.

Notes per NCDA chemical analysis:

·                     The Cation Exchange Capacity improved significantly with the BRZ

·                     Soil available potassium levels were raised

·                     Calcium levels were elevated v. sand/peat but slightly less than mix “in play”

Observations:

Clearly, the physical and chemical performance of a greens mix is better with the addition of BRZ,
and the performance of the mix improved as higher volumes of BRZ were added. Consequently,
the BRZ amended greens mix should be easier to maintain. Less irrigation water and fertility applications would be required, and possibly, less fungicide would be needed as a result. Less
inputs would reduce labor, disrupt play less and lower costs to maintain the greens.

For the newly established green, 100% coverage of the surface occurred three weeks earlier and the health of the turf and root system was visually evident. Fluctuation in color, density and leaf textures have been much less on the BRZ ˝ of the new nursery green. Building a green with 5 to 10 percent BRZ would speed establishment, improve long-term performance, and save money.

For further details or copies of test results contact Jeff Agee, Greenmakers, Inc. 919-599-5333 or 888-917-8873