Performance Under Pressure: Managing Turf Stress | ICL | Turf Tech Summit 2026

Drought, heat, low light, waterlogging and constant wear: sports turf is under stress all year round. Dr. Simon Watson, Senior Scientist at ICL, tells the story behind Greenmaster Liquid Advance, a liquid nutrition product with a new biostimulant package designed to help turf perform under pressure and recover faster. Simon starts with the stresses turf faces through the seasons and how they affect photosynthesis, before explaining how a new molecule, M2, was developed and what published research shows about how it works. He then takes you through the trials, from controlled studies on drought stress, nutrient use efficiency, waterlogging and low light, to a striking demonstration of treated and untreated leaves kept in the dark. Field trials at a professional club's training ground and on grass tennis courts show the results in real conditions, with better colour, quality and density under poor growing conditions. CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction – Dr. Simon Watson, ICL 2:17 Stress on sports turf through the year 4:44 How stress affects the plant 5:12 Strategies to manage stress 7:32 From Greenmaster Liquid to Greenmaster Liquid Advance 8:20 The M2 molecule: a novel biostimulant 10:15 Supporting nitrogen uptake under stress 11:49 Not just stress, but recovery 12:15 From the lab to the field: the trial programme 14:10 Drought stress trial 16:17 Nutrient use efficiency 17:30 Waterlogging 18:50 Low light and shade 21:45 Treated and untreated leaves in the dark 22:46 Field trials 23:23 Low light at a professional club's training ground 25:39 Grass tennis courts 26:42 Closing SPEAKER Dr. Simon Watson – Senior Scientist, ICL LINKS ICL – Greenmaster Liquid Advance: https://icl-growingsolutions.com/en-g... Watch also: Growing Strategies to Tackle Cyanobacteria – Origin Amenity Solutions: [link] ABOUT TURF TECH SUMMIT Turf Tech Summit brings together grounds managers, clubs, contractors and suppliers from across the world to share the latest knowledge and innovation in sports turf. Over two days, speakers from elite clubs, research and industry presented on the main stage and in the Focus Lounge, alongside indoor and outdoor exhibitions. This presentation was recorded at Turf Tech Summit 2026 at the Amex Stadium, home of Brighton & Hove Albion. Watch all presentations:    • Turf Tech Summit 2026 – All Presentations   More information: https://turftechsummit.com/ Follow Turf Tech Summit: LinkedIn:   / turftechsummit   Instagram:   / turftechsummit   Facebook:   / 1glemjg36p   The next edition will be announced soon. Subscribe to stay updated and to catch every new presentation. Watch also: Growing Strategies to Tackle Cyanobacteria – Origin Amenity Solutions:    • Growing Strategies to Tackle Cyanobacteria...   #TurfTechSummit #TurfNutrition #Groundsman