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address: 148 N 100 E Smithfield UT 84335 phone: 435.563.8118 web: www.z-oliteinc.com

Description

Z-Olite Soil Amendment consists of a unique mineral called "clinoptilolite" which is of volcanic origin. The material is a pale green sand-sized granular product. Typically the product is a 14 x 40 mesh size.

Uses

Z-Olite 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, etc.

Application

For the construction of new golf course greens and tees, lawns, gardens, or for sandy soils replace 10-20% of the sand with an equal volume of Z-Olite. This should be applied in the top 2 to 4 inches. For top dressing, approximately 50 to 100 pounds should be applied per 1,000 square feet or 2,000 to 4,000 pounds per acre. To enhance aerification after plugging, apply 70 to 150 pounds per 1,000 square feet or 3,000 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. Z-Olite can be spread by hand broadcasting, using a fertilizer spreader, or by other devices. Although top dressing works, generally it is better to mix the Z-Olite in the top 2 to 4 inches with a rototiller, spike tooth harrow, or a disc harrow. Plowing Z-Olite in, places it deeper than necessary. For row crops such as corn or soybeans, Z-Olite can be applied with a side disc or by side banding. After application, the area must be irrigated, because fresh Z-Olite will adsorb moisture from the surrounding soil and can result in dehydration of the plants or grasses.

Basic Principles

Z-Olite consists of a unique mineral called "clinoptilolite " which is of volcanic origin. Z-Olite holds moisture and plant nutrients naturally and consistently. The material is a pale green sand-sized granular product. It is available in many mesh sizes, including, but not limited to, the following: -14+40, -8,+14, -8+40, -40, -100
Z-Olite has multiple methods of holding fluids and plant nutrients including "adsorption" and absorption.

1. The first is by absorbtion. For example: It will absorb greater than 55% of its weight in water or other liquids. Water, ammonium (NH₄⁺), 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 is 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.
   
   
2. The second method is by "adsorption" or cation exchange (measured as cation exchange capacity or "CEC"). Z-Olite holds cations such as ammonium (NH₄⁺), potassium, calcium, and other plant nutrients within the mineral lattice where it is not water-soluble. In a agriculture setting for example, the ammonium Nitrogen (N) held in this position 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 ammonium fertilizers in the growth zone where they are plant accessible. Typically, 30 to 35 % of the nitrogen fertilizers leach directly to the water table where they cause pollution of the aquifer.
   

• It reduces the amount and time of irrigation.
  
• It holds moisture in the growth zone.
  
• It holds nitrogen in the growth zone. By virtue of its high CEC, it holds much of the nitrogen so that it is plant accessible but not water-soluble.
  
• Z-Olite will hold ammonium in the crystal structure so that it is plant accessible but not water-soluble. This will decrease the pollution of the water with nitrates, nitrites, and ammonium. It will slowly release the nitrogen to prevent the "burning" of the plant.
  
• Since 30 to 35% of most nitrogen fertilizers leach through the growth zone and report to the aquifer, it reduces the nitrogen fertilizer requirement.
  
• It will recharge itself with nitrogen from rainwater and will hold it in the growth zone
  
• It helps prevent compaction, increases infiltration, and helps the aeration of deep root systems.
  
• Compared to other domestic zeolites, Z-Olite has a higher CEC which allows the greater loading of plant nutrients such as nitrogen and micronutrients such as magnesium, sulfur, zinc, iron, manganese, boron, molybdenum, copper, chlorine; contains approximately 3.5% potassium which is a plant nutrient, contains very low sodium which is toxic to plants, has very little clay, and has a clinoptilolite content of 80 to 90%.
  
• Z-Olite is 100% natural and when composted with manure, it becomes an "organic fertilizer."
  
• Z-Olite will hold nitrogen and will help prevent the pollution of the water table by nitrates and nitrites.
  
• It is pale green in color unlike many zeolites that are white, orange, or pink and it visually blends into lawns, greens, tees better than white material.