Want to get news alerts delivered direct to your inbox? Edit your email preferences.
Going Dutch on Weed Control!
3 hours ago by: andy dixon
"What is the point when 97% of herbicides are used by private ..."
Build it and they will come... a report on the Isle of Man's first seminar for the industry
19 hours ago by: petermarkcraig
"Thank you for those very kind words Mike. I genuinely felt t ..."
Will it take hose pipe bans and Drought Orders to see legislative compliance?
2 days ago by: vid
"Hi Dave, this may be of help to well financed or municipal s ..."
Build it and they will come... a report on the Isle of Man's first seminar for the industry
4 days ago by: Pitchcare Peter
"Who's a fantastic tool? 'Genius' might be slightly overst ..."
Build it and they will come... a report on the Isle of Man's first seminar for the industry
4 days ago by: Cranfield
"A fantastic tool for promoting our wonderful industry and th ..."
By Derek Smith in Football on 18th Sep 2010 10:00
The cultivar at the heart of the playing surfaces triumph at the 2010 FIFA World Cup 2010 has been officially launched in the UK.
Axcella, a key cultivar used in the successful overseeding mix for the tournament's match and training pitches, is an annual rye grass said to be the first commercially available seed of its kind on the market.
Developed by DLF Trifolium, the world's largest grass breeder and producer, the cultivar was originally bred for winter overseeding of dormant Burmuda grass and other warm season turf, where there's a need for rapid establishment and early spring transition.
It is now available in combination with the top-rated Bizet 1 perennial ryegrass as a 50:50 mix in Johnson's J Rescue.
Axcella proved the perfect remedy for overseeding the native low-growing, warm-season perennial Kikuyu grass in South Africa in the run-up to the football tournament. The pitches attracted praise from FIFA, players and media alike for the quality of preparation, playability and their excellent appearance.
Combining the qualities of rapid germination at temperatures as low as 3oC, colour, density and fine texture, Axcella was bred from dwarf annual ryegrass plants with greater shoot density, narrower leaf blades, less vertical leaf growth and a darker green leaf.
Such qualities will aid grounds care professionals wishing to undertake remedial mid-season work over autumn, at both public sites and private clubs at all levels. It will find a ready application for goalmouth renovation and areas that are needed to withstand high intensity of use.
"Axcella exhibits strong seedling vigour for a weed-free turf and requires less pesticide application after sowing," says Derek Smith, Amenity Sales Manager for DLF Trifolium. "It also has better overseeding quality than most intermediate ryegrasses.
"The cultivar is designed to offer fast turnaround on worn areas where a return to a fully functional sward is needed at very short notice," he adds.
For more information about Axcella, contact Derek Smith on 01386 791102 or visit www.dlf.co.uk
Read more articles in Football, by Derek Smith or from September 2010.
