In some cases, alternatives to mowing are especially desirable

Transcription

1 Nordic trials with the Plant Growth Regulator Primo Maxx on Golf Courses, 27-2 We like to claim that golf is friendly to the environment Trygve S. Aamlid Bioforsk Øst Landvik Oiva Niemelainen MTT, Finland But what about energy use, CO 2 -emissions and carbon footprinting? Most fossile energy is used on mowing In some cases, alternatives to mowing are especially desirable Mowing is a major part of the budget for turfgrass maintenance Definition of Plant Growth Regulator (PGR): organisk forbindelse, naturlig eller systemisk, som ved tilførsel i små mengder, forårsaker en ENDRING i plantenes vekst og utvikling. organic compound, natural or systemic, that will cause CHANGES in plant growth and development, when applied in small amounts Hvilke ENDRINGER? What kind of changes? Mindre klipping / less mowing Bedre farge / improved colour Større skuddtetthet / higher density Færre frøstengler / less seed heads Bedre rotutvikling / improved rooting Mer karbohydrater i plantene større stresstoleranse / Higher carbohydrate levels better stress tolerance Mindre sjukdommer mindre bruk av fungicider: Less disease pressure less use of fungicides Bedre overvintringsevne: Better winter survival 1

2 There are a number of different plant growth regulators (PGRs). Most of them are classified as Class B : Introduction: 19s Mode of action: Blocks early steps in gibberellin biosynthesis. Unspecific / many side effects. Uptake: Usually roots. Often persistency problems. Examples: Scotts TGR, Turf-Enhancer, Trimmit. PP 333, Parlay (paclobutrazol) Cutless (flurprimidol) CCC / cycocel (chlormequate-chlorid) (agric.) There is also one interesting Class E plant growth regulator: Introduction: 199 åra Mode of Action: Stimulates turfgrasses to produce the natural plant hormone ethylene. Uptake: Leaves Products: Proxy, Cerone (etefon): Labelled for use on US golf courses in 1999/2. Mostly used on fairways. Reduced tiller elongation Example: More lateral (stolon) growth and thus more competition against Poa annua after spraying a creeping bentgrass fairway with paclobutrazol (Trimmit) Penn State, Oct. 25 Trinexapac-etyl (Primo MAXX) : (The only) Class A Plant Growth regulator: Introduction: 199s Mode of action: Blocks the last step in gibberellin biosynthesis: The conversion of GA2 to GA1. Very specific. Uptake: Leaves, especially the crone. Limited translocation to roots and lateral tillers. No persistency: Effect in 3-5 weeks only. Why do we think Primo Maxx should be especially useful under Scandinavian conditions? (US photo) 2

3 The light environment is made up of: Light intensity (energy) Light quality (R/FR ratio) Daylength (photoperiod) Light Quality (Red / Farred ratio) rich in red light, low in far-red light SOLAR RADIATION absorption Low R/FR ratio and / or long days reflection lower in red light, richer in far-red light transmission More leaf elongation Less tillering High latitude - long shades in autumn less light intensity (energy) Lower R / FR ratio Effects of photoperiod and temperature on tillering and leaf length in two cultivars of Poa pratensis 12 h 2 June 2 Sept. 16 h Poor turf quality 2 h 12 h 2 h 16 h 2 h 2 h 21/12 C 21/6 C 12/12 C American results suggest Primo Maxx is especially useful on shaded turf 12/6 C Foto: Agnar Kvalbein Trinexapac-etyl is already on the agricultural marked in all Scandinavian countries From a bentgrass seed crop in Norway Approved for use in cereals, including bread wheat and grass seed production For turf, Primo Maxx is listed in all US-states, Canada, UK, Netherlands, and an increasing number of EU countries Moddus Unsprayed control 3

4 7. 1. OBJECTIVE FOR STERF PROJECT (Prosjektmål): Provide documentation for potential registration and recommendations or use of trinexapac-ethyl (Primo Maxx) on golf courses in the Nordic countries. Clarify the effects of Primo Maxx on growth and performance of turf under long photoperiod conditions and on hardening and overwintering characteristics The starting point of our trials was the Primo Maxx rates recommended in Canada and England Creeping bent and/or Poa annua Kentucky bluegrass Perennial Ryegrass Sod production & golf course roughs. Mowing height 3-6 cm Golf course fairways Mowing height -1 mm L/ha = (9-1 g a.i./ha) Every -5 weeks 2. L/ha = (23 g a.i./ha) Every 5 - weeks 3.2 L/ha (36 g a.i./ha) Every 5- weeks. 1.6 L/ha = (9-1 g a.i./ha) Every -5 weeks 2. L/ha (2 g a.i./ha) Every -5 weeks Golf course greens. Mowing height 3-5 mm. L/ha = (9 g a.i./ha) Every 2- weeks - - Spraying at experimental green Field trials with Primo MAXX 27- Official (GEP) trials at Landvik, Norway and Lepaa, Finland Demonstration trials at five Norwegian golf courses Experimental plans used in official (GEP) trials 27 Fairway trial, Landvik and Lepaa, Finland 1. Usprayed control 2. Primo Maxx,.5 l/ha every four weeks 3. Primo Maxx, 1. l/ha every four weeks. Primo Maxx, 1.5 l/ha every four weeks 5. Primo Maxx, 2. l/ha every four weeks 6. Primo Maxx, 3. l/ha every four weeks Green trial, Lepaa, Finland 1. Usprayed control 2. Primo Maxx,.2 l/ha every four weeks 3. Primo Maxx,. l/ha every four weeks. Primo Maxx,.6 l/ha every four weeks 5. Primo Maxx,. l/ha every four weeks Summary of results, 27 (Bioforsk report no 1/2): Inconsistent reductions in clipping yields. Rebound effect very clear. Average reduction in fairway trials: % at Landvik, 1% at Lepaa Average reduction in green trial: 16% at Lepaa Significant turfgrass quality reductions in fairway trial at Landvik at rates 1. l/ha and higher. Reduction in turf quality shortly after first application, but not throughout experiment at Lepaa. Strong reductions in clipping yields at Ballerud GC, but also quality reductions in fairway and rough trials Rebound effect: A strong reduction in growth shortly after application is followed increased growth until next appl. Clipping yield, relative 11 May June Date 5 July 3 Aug. Sept. Oct. (Data from Finnish fairway trial).5 l/ha 1. l/ha 1.5 l/ha 2. l/ha 3. l/ha General apperance (turf quality), 1-9 Negative effect on general appearance in fairway trial, Landvik mai 21.mai.jun 1.jun.jul 16.jul 26.jul 13.aug.5 l/ha 1. l/ha 1.5 l/ha 2 l/ha 3 l/ha

5 Weeds showing up in plots treated with 3. l /ha, Landvik Dandelion Tuf quality / dormancy color on 2 Nov 27, fairway Landvik (løvetann) 3. L / ha.5 L /ha Sagina procumbens (tunarve) Poa annua General appearance, Turf quality, green trial Lepaa (general appearance, 1-9) Unsprayed control.2 l/ha. l/ha.6 l/ha. l/ha Demonstation trials on golf courses, 27 2 May: 2 wk after 1st appliication 2 July: 2 wk after 3rd application A reduction in quality shortly after initiation of treatments No effect in the long run Demo-trial, Ballerud GC, Oslo, 27 Ball roll distance and clipping yield in green trial Ballerud (Spraying every third week) Primo Maxx. L/ha, every 3 rd week Stimpmeter reading (ft.) jul 12.jul 19.jul 26.jul 3.aug 1.aug 17.aug Stimp, control Stimp,. l/ha Clipping yield, untreated Clipping yield,. l/ha General apperance not affected on any date Relative clipping yield 5

6 Rough trial, Ballerud, 26 June, 27 Application of 2.2 l/ha every six weeks Untreated Untreated Treated Treated Perennial ryegrass Rough trial, Ballerud GK, 27 Aug. 27 Winter diseases Lepaa fairway trial Does Primo MAXX have any effect on WINTER SURVIVAL? Disease infection (% of area) Lepaa fairway trial, 11 April 2, just after snow melt Disease infection (% of area) in Lepaa fairway trial L/ha 1. L/ha 1.5 L/ha 2. L/ha.5 l/ha 1. l/ha 1.5 l/ha 2. l/ha 3. l/ha 3. L/ha Less snow moulds after use of Primo MAXX Green-up, Lepaa green trial 7 May 2. l/ha.2 l/ha.2 l/ha. l/ha.6 l/ha. l/ha.2 l/ha. l/ha.2 l/ha.6 l/ha. l/ha.6 l/ha. l/ha. l/ha.2 l/ha Close-up, Lepaa green trial, 7 May 2 6

7 Winter diseases, Lepaa green trial Disease infection (%) at Lepaa green trial New trials started 2 Disease infection (% of area) l/ha. l/ha.6 l/ha. l/ha Creeping bentgrass green, Landvik Less snow mould also in this trial Experimental treatments Green trial, Landvik, 1. Usprayed control 2. Primo Maxx,.15 l/ha every week 3. Primo Maxx,.3 l/ha every weeks. Primo Maxx,.5 l/ha every weeks 5. Primo Maxx,.15 l/ha every second week 6. Primo Maxx,.3 l/ha every second week 7. Primo Maxx,.5 l/ha every second week Clipping yield, relative Landvik green trial, clipping yields, May 21-Jun 19-Jul 16-Aug 13-Sep 11-Oct -Nov, No Primo MAXX.15 l/ha every week.3 l/ha every week.5 l/ha every week.15 l/ha every 2nd week.3 l/ha every 2nd week.5 l/ha every 2nd week Significant difference (contrast) in clipping yield between treated and untreated plots. On average 25% reduktion. Almost significant difference in daily height growth :.93 mm/day on unsprayed plots vs..7 mm/day on sprayed plots (16 % reduktion) No signifcant difference among application rates or application frequencies Clipping yields, Green trial Landvik, 2 (mean of eight mowings) General impression.3 L/ha every week Unsprayed control No significant effect on overall impression. Slightly darker but less intense colour after use of Primo MAXX. (No discolouration.) 7

8 Ball roll distance (3 cm stimpmeter) - Overall average, unsprayed plots: 119 cm - Overall average, sprayed plots: 126 cm (+6%) New fairway trial, Lepaa, Finland, 2 1. Usprayed control 2. Primo Maxx,. l/ha every two weeks 3. Primo Maxx,. l/ha every four weeks. Primo Maxx, 1.2 l/ha every four weeks 5. Primo Maxx, 1.6 l/ha every four weeks 1. Daily growth (g DM/m2/d) in ratio to control treatment (=1) at Lepaa fairway trial 2 12 Demo-trials on Norwegian golf courses L/ha Unsprayed 6 Rel.. l/ha 1. l/ha 1.2 l/ha l/ha No effect on turfgrass colour or general appearance Demo trial Bjaavann GK, one month laterlast.3 L/ha Unsprayed Green trial Bjaavann GK, Kristiansand, one week after 1st application Fairway trial, Byneset GC, Trondheim, 21 August 2 Unsprayed control: Quality rating Sprayed 2x. L/ha Quality rating 5

9 Semirough, Byneset GC, Trondheim, 21 August 2 Unsprayed control: Quality rating: 7 Sprayed 2x 2. L/ha Quality rating: 5 CONCLUSION We recommend Primo MAXX being labelled for use on Nordic golf courses because of: Better winter survival On average 2 % reduction in growth / mowing costs Faster greens Because of more rapid decomposition in plant tissue, Primo MAXX must be applied more frequently and at lower rates in Scandinavian than in countries farther south: Primo MAXX, rate* Application interval Greens (creeping bentgrass).2. L ha -1 Every one to two weeks Fairways L ha -1 Every two to three weeks Roughs & semi-roughs L ha -1 Every three to four weeks CONCLUSION (contd.) Turfgrasses always need some time to get used to Primo MAXX. Therefore, always use half rate at the first seasonal application of Primo MAXX. If the product is registered, every greenkeeper must make his own experience on how to best Primo MAXX on his/her course. Further research is needed to clarify optimal use of Primo Maxx For different grass species At various growing conditions As a substitute for other pesticides, especially against winter diseases 9