New Primo Maxx recommendations for across the course
A new label approval for Primo Maxx now gives more precise recommendations for use on different areas of the golf course from tee to green, and different grass species typically sown on tees and fairways.
New Primo Maxx label recommendations now give golf course managers and greenkeepers greater flexibility to control turf growth and improve playing surface quality, from tee to green. The application rate for greens is standardised at the optimum 0.4 l/ha, whilst both tees and fairways are now included, with approved rates of 1.6 l/ha for fine turf species and 2.4 l/ha on faster-growing ryegrass species.
Syngenta Technical Manager, Dr Simon Watson, highlights the new recommendations recognise the diversity and needs of different playing surfaces across the golf course. "It gives the opportunity to tailor rates more effectively to get the best possible results in improving turf quality and reducing the mowing requirement," he says. "The label identifies that with these application rates turf managers can reasonably expect to get 50% suppression in turf growth for up to four weeks during good growing conditions, which could significantly help ease the daily turf management workload."
Dr Watson advocates a Primo Maxx programme throughout the summer to enhance turf density and consistent putting speed on golf greens. "Most greenkeepers will still cut daily, but with half the clippings to box off it is much cleaner and faster. Slower growth also means greens run consistently right through the day; some courses that used to cut twice a day have eliminated the second cut," he reports. For others, a 'cut one day and roll the next' is proving a practical approach to save time and costs on greens management.
Greenkeepers' experience has also seen the height of cut on Primo Maxx treated greens typically raised by 0.3 to 0.5 mm without any loss in putting speed. "Even a small rise in the cut height can have a significant effect in reducing stress on the plant over the summer months, which may be especially important where Anthracnose disease risk is highest on close cropped turf," adds Dr Watson.
Not only do greens look more visually attractive and play better, but the physiological effects of Primo Maxx can enhance the chlorophyll content of leaves by up to 60% in drought conditions. It can also increase the levels of cytokinin that naturally protects against chlorophyll degradation in high temperatures and alleviate the symptoms of leaf browning.
Furthermore, with the use of water resources by golf courses under close scrutiny again this season, Primo Maxx has been shown to enhance water use efficiency by reducing plant respiration rates and transpiration. "It has given a 75% increase in photochemical efficiency and a 20% increase in the relative water content of leaves four weeks after application under drought conditions," reports Dr Watson. Turf managers' experience indicates up to 30% reduction in irrigation requirements with Primo Maxx treated turf, whilst keeping plants green and healthy for longer.
He believes the benefits of improved playing conditions, enhanced plant vigour and simplified management far outweigh the typical Primo Maxx cost of less than £30 to treat a hectare of greens.
The new label recommendations differentiate between grass species typically on tees and fairways. The slower growth habit of fine turf species such as fescues and bents can be effectively regulated with monthly applications at 1.6 l/ha, whilst more aggressive and faster growing Ryegrasses have a higher approved rate of 2.4 l/ha.
"We consistently see the optimum results in turf quality improvements and effective growth suppression from maintaining these appropriate rates at monthly intervals during good growing conditions," according to Dr Watson. "If growing conditions are less favourable, on unirrigated fairways, for example, the interval between treatments can be extended, but the application rate should remain constant. On mixed turf surfaces use the appropriate rate for the dominant species," he adds.
Turf managers should refer to the new label MAPP No. 14780 for full details, a copy of which can be downloaded at www.greencast.co.uk
Dr Simon Watson
Syngenta Turf & Landscape Technical Manager
Tel: 01223 883441
Email: simon.watson@syngenta.com
For turf specific information visit the web site www.greencast.co.uk