AquaFirst Technologies Inc.

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What is Lassenite?

Lassenite is an all-natural water retention mineral that can cut watering needs by 50% or more. Lassenite promotes a healthier, more vigorous plant and reduces the need for chemicals and fertilizers. Lassenite is a mineral substance called Pozzolan mined from a deposit in Northern California. Lassenite was formed when Mt. Lassen exploded in a volcanic eruption 26,000,000 years ago. Volcanic ash from that explosion filled a nearby lake which was rich in diatomaceous life. Over the intervening eons, the ash combined with the diatoms to form the deposit of Pozzolan known as Lassenite.

While there are many deposits of Pozzolan throughout the world, most are from salt-water deposits. Lassenite is from the largest, purest deposit known in the world. Only a very small percentage of these ash deposits landed on fresh water. Of the small percentage of fresh water deposits, many are contaminated with heavy metals or salts. Lassenite has no contaminates or salts. Particles of Lassenite function as tiny reservoirs that release water to plants as needed. This increased moisture retention allows longer intervals between watering. Lassenite reduces evaporation and improves percolation, enabling water to stay at root level where grasses and plants can use it efficiently. As Lassenite reduces water flow in the soil, it prevents fertilizers from washing out and into the environment, thus reducing fertilizer requirements. It encourages finer root growth, and improves fertilizer absorption by those roots.

Lassenite is available in three forms; unprocessed, calcined and pit run.
There are several products within these three forms.

Lassenite Raw is an unprocessed raw material crushed at -1/4". It is suitable for most applications.


Lassenite Raw Plus is the same material inoculated with Premier Tech Biotechnologies' Mycorrhize. It is an excellent choice for new plantings, especially where rapid establishment is required. Available by special order.

Lassenite ATS is a calcined version in a 7x20 or 18x60 mesh sizes depending on the application, including meeting the USGA greens construction guidelines for particle size. It is suitable for use on USGA sand based greens as well as heavy clay soils. It is endorsed by NFL Hall of Fame Groundskeeper George Toma.

Lassenite ATS Plus is also inoculated with Mycorrhize. Available by special order.

Lassenite Pit Run is an unprocessed, random sized product suitable for crushing on site for use in agricultural applications and as an amendment to add to custom soil mixes for new construction.

Custom Sizing. All the above products are available in custom blends for specific applications including green roof construction, hydroponic mediums and bonsai and orchid cultivation.


Easy Application

Lassenite is easily applied. For optimum benefits with existing lawns, greens, and fairways, aerate prior to application. Standard hand tools and ordinary drop spreaders are all that's needed.


Does Lassenite Have Any Detrimental Effects?

None! On the contrary, Lassenite naturally aerates and keeps soil, especially clay, loose and pliable for healthy root growth. It promotes deeper roots and increases the number of fine root hairs. It helps to stabilize soil, optimizing plant maturation. It does not attract or retain salts. It is inert and harmless to turf, plants, livestock and people. Turf treated with Lassenite is safe for people and pets immediately.

Lassenite Saves Money!

Water, fertilizer, and chemical expenses will be drastically reduced, while your turf, plants and trees grows greener, thicker, and healthier. Lassenite is kind to the environment by reducing chemical and fertilizer runoff into the water table and aquatic environment.

Lassenite Improves Soil Structure.

All plants grow better when soil conditions are improved. Lassenite works in virtually any soil to permanently improve its structure and texture. Added to a clay-based soil, Lassenite makes the soil more friable allowing the moisture to penetrate the clay, and be held at root level, where it can be used as needed by plants. Added to a sand-based soil, Lassenite reduces the percolation rate, allowing the moisture to remain at root level for use as needed. For loamy soils, Lassenite helps maintain the proper balance of air and water content in the soil, for less maintenance, and reduced chemical and fertilizer requirements.



Lassenite Increases Available Water.

Lassenite holds the moisture in reserve for plants to use during dry conditions. Lassenite could cut your current watering requirements by 50% or more. Lassenite releases water to vegetation at a steady rate. More than half of the water held by Lassenite is lost below .075 MPa. It is important that the product release water within this range. This makes the water available to the plants, and allows air to fill the pore space. The optimum degree of saturation in the root zone is 50% water and 50% air filled pore space. Lassenite ranges from 48% to 43%. Even when fully charged with water, it maintains an average of 20% non-capillary (air) pore space. Using Lassenite ensures that plant roots are always getting the two things they need to thrive, air and water.

Lassenite Promotes Deeper and Healthier Roots.

Lassenite promotes deeper, healthier roots, with a significantly greater number of fine root hairs. A deep healthy root system helps turf and plants resist disease, drought, and other stress factors.



Lassenite Reduces Fertilizer and Pesticide Use.

Soil improved with Lassenite allows fertilizers and pesticides to be more effective, and last longer, resulting in the reduction of their use. The Silica in Lassenite increases the efficiency of fertilizers. (Univ. of Kassel, F.R. Germany)

Lassenite Reduces Soil Compaction.

In high traffic areas such as golf tees and fairways, soil compaction can be a serious problem. Lassenite helps these areas to resist compaction due to the composition and porosity of the material.
Lassenite's unique form is ideal for improving golf courses, sports fields, parks, landscaping, agriculture and lawns by increasing root growth and oxygenation levels in the soil.
Lassenite significantly increases soil porosity, increases the water retention capability of the soil and releases the moisture as needed to the plants. Lassenite can keep even high traffic areas on golf courses and playing field in tournament shape, even under the most stressful of conditions. Lassenite can be an instrumental part in a golf course securing an Audubon Society environmental certification for their course because of the reduced need for chemicals and fertilizers.

Lassenite as a Water Conservation Tool

The use of Lassenite as a soil amendment is the single most effective tool available to reduce water use. With the use of Lassenite in irrigated situations, water use reductions of over 50% are documented. In non-irrigated applications,where hand watering has to be employed, the frequency of watering can be reduced by 50% or more, saving water, time and money. This is all accomplished while producing healthier plants. The choice is clear.