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SHORTstop strategy for Poa control

Introduction: Wintergrass (Poa annua) is the most prolific weed of bentgrass golf greens, due to its vigorous colonisation, prolific seed-head development and shallow rooting growth habit. In general, greens dominated by Poa annua require more water and fungicides along with an increased intensity of cultural maintenance.

Living Turf have a depth of experience in Poa control from product development, practical experience and partnering golf course superintendents. For a strategy document click here, or read on.

SHORTstop strategy for Poa Control

Applied every four weeks between April and September, SHORTstop 200SC will suppress Poa and stop the establishment of new seedlings. SHORTstop targets wintergrass selectively, having little effect on other more desirable cool season grasses.

The active ingredient in SHORTstop binds readily to soil particles, so after watering into a turf surface it accumulates in the top inch of the root zone. Wintergrass is characteristically the shallowest rooting of all the cool season turfgrasses, so it inevitably is exposed to much higher uptake and subsequent growth suppression.

SHORTstop 200Sc from MATCHplay is one part of a Poa control strategy. Year round management should aim to favour bentgrass, suppress wintergrass, contol seedhead and at all times maintain a quality putting surface.

Vitalise infuses turf with naturally derived plant substances, available carbon and trace nutrients to guard against deficiency. Because healthy bentgrass is a priority, VITALise should be applied monthly during the growing season. An excellent tank mix with foliar fertilisers, Vitalise will enhance root development along with general plant health.

Available carbon is essential for healthy bentgrass, which is mostly grown in straight sand. RENOblen is a renovation fertiliser containing a high grade slow release form of carbon. Additionally renoblen supplies controlled release nutrition, wetting agent and trace elements, in a dust free greens grade particle. The role of RENOblen for as a part of a broad based Poa control strategy should not be underestimated.

PRIMO is also an essential part of a total Poa control plan. While SHORTstop suppresses and controls Poa when it is most vigorous, managers need to grow healthy bentgrass to keep Poa at bay. In the heat and humidity of summer, Primo reduces the upright growth of bentgrass, reducing transpiration and keeping preventative fungicides in the plant for longer. Primo rates are dependent on species composition, so for more information contact your Living Turf representative.

Other important tools in a Poa control plan include;

Simplot SoCal Mag - to maintain Ca:Mg ration in sandy soils

Simplot SP Bentgrass - for high grade foliar applied soluble fertiliser

Scotts Sierraform GT - greens grade feertiliser, for pre-renovation feeding with slow release N and K.

To obtain a strategy document click here, or simply contact us to arrange an obligation free consultation.

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