• Less wear and tear on mowers;
• Less carbon fuels used, and less carbon emissions;
• Saving on man hours, and more time for other tasks;
• Less green waste going to landfill sites.
The change to, and concept of, use of growth regulators is not new, with many compounds of maleic hydroxide in use since 1980. It was the external pressures of increased awareness of and regulation for effect management of all environmental issues - even including cutting fine turf grass on a municipal bowling green - that drove the change. “By suppressing grass growth, I believe we will be able to reduce the need to cut the bowling greens by a third,” predicts Mark.
The pressure is on though, as Mark
explains. “The current bowling season stretches from March to October and the timing of applications - namely April, May, June and July will be a key element to the trial. We also want to present the findings at the Green Flag celebration event in July.”
The project aims to:
• identify that use of Primo MAXX will improve sward vigor and appearance
• reduce green waste arising from mowing operations
• reduce fuel consumption • reduce water requirements
• increase grass vigor and reduce fungicide treatment
The chemical is effective and works by blocking the production of gibberellic acid late in the growth cycle of the grass, which effectively limits cell elongation during the normal period of monocotyledon plant growth. The
chemical does not affect dicotyledon plants. This results in a shortening of the distance between the shoot nodes, leading to more compact growth. While the vertical growth is slowed, both the root and lateral growth are boosted creating a stronger, healthier and denser turf.
Gibberellins are a class of plant growth substances that stimulate cell division and/or cell elongation and other regulatory functions. Gibberellins are noted as the most powerful of the growth promoters because they affect internode growth (Wright, 1993).
On a note of health and safety, Mark
reports that the regulator does not require specially protective measures. “All Calderdale’s operators wear personal protective equipment, namely a Hi Vis spray suit, waterproof boots and Neoprene gloves. No risks to the environment are expected from the use of gibberellins because,” says Mark “they do not harm animals or plants in the tiny amounts used - they act as plant growth enhancers, and they are broken down naturally in the environment.” From the standpoint of resources, the trials will consider a number of factors.
• Cost of delivering this change/improvement
• Timescales • Cost savings • Efficiencies
• The resources required, such as buildings, equipment, staff, materials and management time.
And the effectiveness will be evaluated by:
• Measurements of grass clippings volume and mass reduction
• Measurements of increased root penetration and biomass
• Analysis of data - frequency and build- up of data
• Reporting systems • Reduction in water use • Improved playing surface • Feedback to Syngenta and Scotts • Feedback from bowlers • Presentations at national level
• Increased staff involvement, understanding and training.
Mark, whose trials work is helping him gain a BASIS amenity pesticide certificate, seems far too modest to claim major credit for his innovative applications, although members of Woodvale Bowling Club may do that for him if the trials progress as he expects them to. However, they may be in for a shock as well. “The members have approached the trials with an open mind, which is very encouraging. However the impact of the growth regulator may be to turn what were slow greens into fast ones.” The impact that such a transformation will have on the traditions of bowling at Wellholme remain to be seen but they are certainly in for changing times in more ways than one. “My wish is to try to interest more youngsters in bowling,” he says. “and the members of Woodvale may be able to help me achieve this.” Never one to stand still, Mark is
already planning his next application for the growth regulator. “If everything goes well, I’ll be looking at football pitches next. If using the growth regulator also strengthens the turf, it is less likely to be cut up by players.”
“The concept of growth regulators is not new” 44
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