The Vegetation Manager
New ammunition in the war against Bahia Grass
22 February 2010
Bahia Grass (Paspalum notatum) is considered a pest by many turf managers, or a desirable grass in other situations where the alternative is bare ground or weeds.
In the former situation, Bahia Grass is most often found in low maintenance turf or heavily worn and stressed areas. It is difficult to remove without the risk of damage to more desirable species (often couch). In the latter situation, most turf managers could tolerate a pure stand of Bahia Grass if it were not for the unsightly seed heads that grow prolifically over summer.
After much research both independently and as a part of the Integrated Vegetation Management Project (IVMP), Syngenta are pleased to announce a new tank mix registration for two existing turf products which will help in the management of Bahia Grass.
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A tank mix of Monument Liquid herbicide plus the plant growth regulator Primo MAXX results in a growth suppression effect on Bahia Grass whilst also producing a dramatic reduction in seedhead numbers and height, something both products by themselves are unable to do. Matthew Holmes, Syngenta Sales Manager for Qld explains:
"Technigro, one of Syngenta's leading vegetation management customers, and Australia's largest local government authorities, Gold Coast City Council and Brisbane City Council, (all of whom are IVMP partners) long ago realised the importance of Bahia Grass management. They began searching for a better way to manage Bahia Grass and other tall growing problem species.
Syngenta in turn became an IVMP project supporter, and using its’ extensive world-wide research base, discovered the potential a mix of Monument and Primo might provide.
Used as a herbicide at regular rates, Monument Liquid has the ability to remove Bahia Grass, but at lower rates, the effect is most noticeable on seedheads. Meanwhile Primo MAXX has a terrific effect on vegetative growth reduction, but little effect on seedhead numbers.
Together, Bahia Grass sprayed with the mixture has a much more uniform appearance, takes longer to reach a height where mowing intervention is required, and produces little to no seedheads, which reduces ongoing populations".
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Our guest columnist Matthew Holmes is Sales Manager for Turf and Pest Management with Syngenta. For information and labels on the above mixture of Primo MAXX and Monument Liquid, visit www.greencast.com.au.
For more information on the IVMP and the projects aims and outcomes visit www.ivmp.com.au.
Back to past articles.
The second Vegetation Managers Forum is just around the corner!
4 August 2010
Technigro wins Environmental Management Award
1 August 2010
