Make 2010 the year you implement an integrated turf management programme
When Grant Lee, Course Manager at Norwood Park Golf Club (pictured left), wanted to use a programmed approach to improve the consistency of the greens on his 18-hole Championship course, he selected a Scotts iTurf programme over competitors’, because the recommendations are backed up by independent research data.
The programmed approach
Scotts’ Turf & Amenity team, using the specially developed iTurf software, can for the year that seeks to eliminate turf problems by taking appropriate early action. Implementation requires turf professionals to follow the key principle of Integrated Turf Management (ITM), which is to draw on all methods available to them – cultural, biological and chemical – to solve turf problems.
iTurf in practice
Grant’s objective was to achieve greater consistency from his greens. His iTurf programme includes applications of turf fertilizer at a medium rate of 25g/m² approximately every two months. This is followed by a tank mix of Greenmaster liquid fertilizer at 25 litres per hectare and H Pro wetting agent at 10 litres per hectare.
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The iTurf trials have taken place over the last two years at the STRI’s grounds at Bingley. Dr. Ruth Mann (pictured above) oversaw the programme.
The timing of application of products is vital, Dr. Mann says, to avoid problems. “Most of the products that are available are best when they are used preventatively which may require more fungicide. Good cultural practices can help throughout turf management in the prevention of disease. In golf, the quicker greens dry, the less chance there is of disease.”
Results for the fertilizers trial were averaged across a year of data. Some plots had a surge of disease over the winter period where others had very little. Disease pressure on plots where Sierraform GT slow-release fertilizer was used reduced by 21% compared with a reduction of 3% on those where potassium nitrate was applied, indicating that the choice of fertilizer applied can outbreak in the turf.
The trials also showed that the choice of nutrient programme can affect fungicide the correct fertilizer programme was implemented. These results could be further improved if fungicide applications were based upon prediction models, such as Greencast.
Scotts’ International Technical Manager, Stuart Staples (pictured left) explains: “iTurf makes it easy for turf managers to
implement ITM and helps them meet their environmental and regulatory responsibilities. The advice our technical advisors give is based on research data, rather than ideas and theory. We instigated a series of trials at the STRI several years ago and we’re adding to the trial programme continually. The integrated turf management approach synergises with Scotts’ global philosophy of and responsible way. For the end-user, having iTurf programmes in place makes turf more tolerant to stresses and will build the health of turf for future years.”
Visit Scotts on stand B39 at BTME from 19th to 21st January two brand new products for turf managers.
Sportsmaster OrganiCRF N Control - A blend of organic and Poly-S controlled release fertilizer, this 16+2+2 product with 2-3 month longevity is ideal for use on sports pitches during main growth periods. The controlled release nitrogen component gives more consistent performance than conventional fertilizer.
Sportsmaster WSF - Three high quality water soluble fertilizers for year- round use on golf courses and sports pitches - High N, High P and High K. Enhanced foliar and root nutrient uptake plus chelated trace elements in one convenient application.
www.scottsprofessional.co.uk
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