Growing Strategies to Tackle Cyanobacteria | Origin Amenity Solutions | Turf Tech Summit 2026

Yellow spots, a slimy layer on the leaf and turf that thins out without a clear cause: more and more pitches are struggling with cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. Kelly-Marie Clack, Technical & Research Lead at Origin Amenity Solutions, shares five years of research into growing strategies, and how they can be adapted to reduce the risk. She starts with the basics of a fast renovation: combining tetraploid and diploid ryegrass, timing nitrogen to the right growth stage, using wetting agents to speed up germination and save water, and the role of liquid nutrition. She then explains what cyanobacteria is, why stadium environments are so vulnerable, and what you can do about it through nutrition: slow-release phosphorus, soil sampling and pH, choosing the right nitrogen source, the difference between phosphites and phosphates, and the role of iron, manganese and zinc. Along the way, she shows how different wetting agent chemistries move water through the profile. CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction – Kelly-Marie Clack, Origin Amenity Solutions 0:54 The problem: cyanobacteria on football pitches 1:44 Growing strategies, not products 2:04 Tetraploid and diploid ryegrass mixes 3:52 Timing nitrogen for better uptake 4:47 Wetting agents: faster germination and less water 5:59 Liquid nutrition 7:05 Building a growing strategy for renovations 8:35 What is cyanobacteria and why do stadiums suffer? 10:00 Cyanobacteria damage on the pitch 11:45 Slow-release phosphorus 13:55 Soil sampling and pH 15:13 What research tells us about algae and nutrition 16:42 Wetting agents and water management 19:41 Surface firmness after heavy rain 20:17 Phosphites versus phosphates 21:22 Surface pH, iron, manganese and zinc 23:16 Summary SPEAKER Kelly-Marie Clack – Technical & Research Lead, Origin Amenity Solutions LINKS Origin Amenity Solutions: https://originamenity.com/ 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: What 20 Years of Tetraploid Ryegrass Have Taught Us – DLF:    • What 20 Years of Tetraploid Ryegrass Have ...   #TurfTechSummit #Cyanobacteria #Groundsman