Primo turf vigour cuts disease

New Primo Maxx trials in Scandinavia have shown that healthy growth over the summer can help resist the effects of winter disease and enhance turf survival and quality. Turf managers taking the Primo Maxx Fairway Challenge will get the chance to see the effects for themselves.

Healthy, stronger turf promoted by Primo Maxx applications through the growing season can reduce its susceptibility to disease and maintain better turf quality right through the winter, according to results of new research.

Trials undertaken to support a new registration for Primo Maxx in Scandinavia have shown significant reductions in Fusarium Snow Mould infection and corresponding improvements in appearance directly proportional to increasing rates of Primo Maxx. The level of Fusarium damage on fairway turf in the spring, following Primo Maxx programme the previous summer, was reduced from 17% of the turf surface affected in the untreated, to less than 2% with a six spray programme at UK fairway rates.

A summer Primo Maxx programme on a Bentgrass green demonstrated over 70% reduction in winter disease effects, along with an 18% improvement in green cover and turf appearance score.

Norwegian researcher, Dr Trygve Aamlid of Biofosk Ost, believes the enhanced winter survival of Primo Maxx treated turf is most likely due to the higher accumulation of carbohydrates in the plant tissue prior to the winter. This echoes other research which has shown a significant connection between the carbohydrate content of leaves and infection of Microdocium nivale. Trials have shown up to 40% increase in the carbohydrate fructans in creeping bentgrass treated with Primo Maxx.

"Regular application of Primo Maxx may also allow greenkeepers to increase fertiliser levels slightly to reduce the risk for Anthracnose and other turfgrass diseases, without compromising green speed," he reports.

Following the full trials programme, on three golf courses and the Bioforsk research facility at Grimstad, Norway, the team has advocated Primo Maxx programmes at 1-2 week intervals on greens, every 2-3 weeks on fairways and up to four weeks on semi-roughs and roughs. Greens applications dovetail with the typical 'little and often' liquid fertiliser programmes used by greenkeepers, whilst the potential to reduce fairway mowing from three to two times per week may be attractive to many golf clubs, as well as contributing to reduced CO2 emissions, according to Dr Aamlid.

"Many greenkeepers will probably also find it helpful to spray Primo Maxx in areas that are steep or otherwise difficult to reach using ordinary mowing equipment," he adds.

Primo Challenge shows results

Greenkeepers and Course Managers taking part in the Primo Maxx Fairway Challenge this season will have the chance to assess the benefits of turf health for themselves, reports Rod Burke of Syngenta. The Challenge gives the opportunity to assess improved turf quality and simplified turf management, where one fairway is treated with a balanced programme of Primo Maxx and Scotts Sportsmaster WSF water soluble fertilizer, compared to untreated.

Syngenta Turf & Landscape Portfolio Manager, Rod Burke, highlights Primo Maxx is now widely used on golf greens and tees. "For those already using Primo Maxx on fairways the primary objective has been to simplify management and give greater flexibility through reduced mowing requirement. However, we have had repeated comments that the turf quality of fairways has been significantly enhanced with the Primo Maxx programme and the right nutrition.

"These improvements have also been identified by the club management and players, which can help course managers to gain the financial commitment to deliver better overall turf quality across the course."

Syngenta and Scotts are so confident that course managers will see a beneficial result, that they are offering a 'Money-Back Guarantee'* on the Primo Maxx Fairway Challenge investment.

Furthermore, all entries for the Primo Maxx Fairway Challenge will also be entered into a free Prize Draw, with the winner receiving travel, accommodation and entrance for two to the world-leading US Golf Industry Show, to be held in Las Vegas in February 2012.

* Terms and conditions apply to entry for The Primo Maxx Fairway Challenge money-back guarantee. Please refer to the GreenCast website for further information and details.


For further Press Information please contact:
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 or www.greencast.ie