Arigna Group has announced a strategic research collaboration with The Ohio State University to investigate the use of biochar in managed turfgrass systems.
The project, titled Proj 101-25: Biochar Evaluation in Turfgrass, aims to assess whether biochar can enhance sod harvesting timelines and improve the growth and quality of putting greens.
The study brings together Arigna Group’s expertise in sustainable biochar solutions and Ohio State’s renowned turfgrass science programme, with the goal of contributing valuable insights to the future of environmentally responsible turf management.
Field trials will take place at two sites in Ohio - Medina Turf, where tall fescue sod production will be evaluated, and Ohio State’s Wooster research facility, where creeping bentgrass putting greens will be tested.
At both locations, biochar treatments will be applied and compared across a range of performance indicators, including turf colour, soil moisture, NDVI measurements and the speed at which aeration holes close. The project began in June 2025 and is scheduled to deliver its final report in December.
Dr Ed Nangle, project lead at Ohio State, said: “Our collaboration with Arigna Group allows us to rigorously test sustainable amendments like biochar in real-world turf settings. We’re excited about the potential this holds for the turfgrass industry.”
Brendan Layden, Managing Director of Arigna Group, added: “This relationship supports our climate-smart land management mission. By investigating biochar’s practical benefits in turfgrass systems, we aim to offer solutions that balance performance with sustainability.”