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 Pre-stress conditioning for turfgrassNow that the turf growing conditions have improved any problems encountered over the winter months can be fixed, to achieve the nice ‘clean’ disease free surfaces we all love. However, very soon we will be into the summer stress period – that is if we get a summer this year!Although the last two summers have been cold washouts, the long term forecast for 2009 is for a hot, dry summer (and lets face it, we must be due some nice weather). For turfgrass managers, a good summer brings ups and downs. Good weather will encourage use of the sports facility, bringing in some welcome revenue. However, hot, dry weather will also cause heat and moisture stress to the grass plant.It is time to start planning for that now. April has already been a dry month and soil moisture content in sand rootzones at STRI dropped to levels where the grass plants began to show symptoms of drought stress.Basidomycete activity has already been observed on many links golf courses, even though the…

The Hicure Run Club will be out on the road again to celebrate BTME in January 2022 (25 - 27 January)

 The easy to use Syngenta Grass Identification Guide, produced in conjunction with specialists from the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), provides a quick and reliable means to accurately assess the main turf grass species. The Syngenta Grass ID Guide is uniquely designed to help identify grass species in closely mown turf. Following a route of characteristic physiological features you will be able to determine the grass species present, and make a visual assessment of the sward composition.The Grass ID Decision Tree on pages 8 & 9 tracks through a logical sequence of characteristics to quickly and accurately determine the species.The Guide includes a set of novel, easy to remember visual icons (pages 6 & 7) of the key features to look out for with each species.Designed in a format to keep with you during all turf assessments, identifying and recording grass species composition at different times of the year will give valuable practice and experience, as well as building a better…

 As the final point of delivery, the choice of nozzle ultimately dictates spray coverage on the leaf and, most importantly, spray retention on the intended target. Syngenta Turf Nozzles have been specifically designed to improve application techniques in turf and to enhance results that can be achieved with Syngenta Turf products. Syngenta Turf Nozzles simply fit into the existing bayonet housing on virtually all modern turf sprayers.Click on the image below to find out more: 

 GreenCast Tech NotesDr Ruth MannSTRIVolume 1, Issue 1 - June 2007Time to think about dollar spot controlSpring arrived early this year, although April showers have been a month late. The temperatures are beginning to rise and it is coming to that time of year when dollar spot symptoms may become apparent.Click here for GreenCast details of dollar spotThere have already been outbreaks in the South of England, although over the past few years the end May/beginning of June generally seemed to be when most Course Managers began to see the symptoms appear. Proactive management is the key to success for dollar spot control."Start control of dollar spotpreventatively, and continue through periods of conducive weather." Ruth MannDollar spot is most common where the fertility is low. Keeping the fertility low is also important to encourage the finer grass species, such as fescue, which can be particularly susceptible to dollar spot. The use of liquid feed can help to reduce the potential dollar spot infection…

 Early start for take-all patch symptomsDue to the warm spring and early summer, take-all patch symptoms were starting to be noted in early June this year, a full month ahead of when we normally see the first symptoms in Yorkshire, for example.View GreenCast details of take-all patchTake-all patch is most common on newly established golf greens, especially on sand based rootzones where the pH is more alkaline. This is due to a lack of antagonistic fungi and bacteria in the rootzone. As the profile matures, the dominance of the pathogen that causes take-all patch (Gaeumannomyces graminis) diminishes and a natural equilibrium forms.The brown rings of take-all patch can seriouslyaffect newly established greens, or turf under soil-induced stress. However, if the equilibrium is upset, G. graminis can dominate the rootzone again and take-all patch may re-emerge. I have most commonly seen this occur following the application of alkaline materials, such as lime or, in one case, where an irrigation water…

 Red thread extends to fertile turfVolume 1, Issue 3 - August 2007With the recent warm, wet weather, red thread is now widespread on many grassed areas.  Click here for GreenCast details of red threadRed thread is most common on low nutrition areas such as golf fairways, lawns and parkland. However, more recently it has been affecting areas normally considered to have sufficient fertility - such as football pitches, golf greens and bowling greens.Close inspection pf suspected red threat infection will reveal pale pinkto red needle or horn-like outgrowths. Pink flocks of mycelium(resembling candyfloss) may also be present in conducive conditions.  As red thread is traditionally associated with low fertility situations, the most common recommendation for control is an application of 8.0.0 (N.P.K) fertiliser.With so much rain through June and July, it is possible that swards are suffering from lower fertility than would be expected, due to previous fertiliser applications quickly being…

  Keeping tees in play     

Terms & Conditions Syngenta UK Ltd User AgreementSyngenta UK Limited ("Syngenta") provides the www.greencast.co.uk website (the "Site") as a service to farmers and agricultural professionals, subject to the terms and conditions of this User Agreement (this "Agreement"). Syngenta is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Syngenta AG.Definitions of "you" and "your company"If you operate your business as a corporation or a partnership, then the term "your company" refers to the corporation or partnership you identified as your business on the first registration page. The terms "you" and "your" refer to you, individually. If you operate your business as a sole proprietorship, you can ignore the references to "your company" in this Agreement.Who is Bound by This Agreement?If you operate your business as a corporation, you and your company are bound by this Agreement; as an agent of your company, your actions on this Site will bind your company.If you operate your business as a sole proprietorship, you,…

 Boston wildlife attractionSee how Boston West Golf Clubis using the creation of wildlife habitats as a positive attraction for players to visit the Lincolnshire course ….Over his 20 years at Boston West Golf Centre Course Manager, Richard Owens has created a diverse range of habitat for wildlife to thrive amongst the daily golfing activity. More recently he has become a keen advocate of Operation Pollinator, which has continued to develop within his array of ecological initiatives.Such has been his success that he won the accolade of Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year in the 2014 Golf Environment Awards and, more recently, the overall winner of the Lincolnshire Environmental Awards, presided over by his long-time ecological hero, David Bellamy (below, left). Richard reports on his experiences and achievements, along with his ongoing plans:An ecologist once described Boston West Golf Centre as "An Oasis within an Agricultural Desert", a saying that has stuck firmly with me during my time here…

 Accurate sprayer calibration is essential to know what volume of spray is being applied. Calibration is a straightforward process that, once established as a routine, takes just a few minutes and can make a significant difference to accuracy and results.Calibration is a three stage process:• Establish the accurate forward speed used when spraying• Identify the output per nozzle• Calculate the application rate per hectareCheck sprayer speed  Check nozzle outputCheck nozzle output at least twice a year, and ideally each month during busy spraying periods. Once nozzles start to wear, output rates can change very quickly and spread pattern will be affected. Firstly check for visible signs of damage.Refer to the manufacturers' nozzleoutput chart to establish expected flow rate,then measure output from each nozzle. ACCURACY CHECK - Some trace element and liquid fertilizer formulations used in turf applications are particularly abrasive and can lead to high rates of nozzle wear. Check nozzles…

Get ahead of the dry down curve this spring to make more effective decisions on irrigation scheduling, wetting agent strategies and turf stress disease risks. Turf Advisor gives you the data to decide.